Kirkland Megathread Forum

[Anonymous User]

why is the barometer for the prestige of a law firm how “HYS students feel” about a particular firm? The only people who care about this are juniors who went to HYS and current law students

the most important aspect of choosing a firm at OCI is whether the YLS/HLS girls on Hinge will want to date me

Have you...met the YLS/HLS girls that are on Hinge?

[Anonymous User]

why is the barometer for the prestige of a law firm how “HYS students feel” about a particular firm? The only people who care about this are juniors who went to HYS and current law students

the most important aspect of choosing a firm at OCI is whether the YLS/HLS girls on Hinge will want to date me

Have you...met the YLS/HLS girls that are on Hinge?

No. Do tell

[Anonymous User]

.

[Anonymous User]

Do any associates starting Fall 2024 have a start date yet?

[Anonymous User]

Do any associates starting Fall 2024 have a start date yet?

Not here. Hoping for as late as possible--I'm going to need such a break after the bar lmao

[littlewing67]

Do any associates starting Fall 2024 have a start date yet?

Not here. Hoping for as late as possible--I'm going to need such a break after the bar lmao

The info I was provided is that the start date falls within the second or third Monday in September. For example, the trend for the last three years was as follows:

2023 9/18/2023
2022 9/12/2023
2021 9/13/2023

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous User]

Incoming associate question: if I have an upcoming clerkship, say in 2025-2026 or 2026-2027, when/how should I alert the firm? Should I at all?

Also, if it was in a city where the firm has a major office, would there likely be some flexibility for me to switch offices quickly?

[Anonymous User]

Incoming associate question: if I have an upcoming clerkship, say in 2025-2026 or 2026-2027, when/how should I alert the firm? Should I at all?

Also, if it was in a city where the firm has a major office, would there likely be some flexibility for me to switch offices quickly?

You should absolutely let them know.
Also, I've heard from two former Kirkland associates that the firm has NO OFFERED them despite being in good standing after finishing their clerkships. I'd ask if you could get a contract/offer letter BEFORE you leave saying explicitly that you'll be given a spot when you are done clerking. If they refuse, that should tell you something.

[Anonymous User]

Incoming associate question: if I have an upcoming clerkship, say in 2025-2026 or 2026-2027, when/how should I alert the firm? Should I at all?

Also, if it was in a city where the firm has a major office, would there likely be some flexibility for me to switch offices quickly?

You should absolutely let them know.
Also, I've heard from two former Kirkland associates that the firm has NO OFFERED them despite being in good standing after finishing their clerkships. I'd ask if you could get a contract/offer letter BEFORE you leave saying explicitly that you'll be given a spot when you are done clerking. If they refuse, that should tell you something.

I'm on the fence about going back post-clerkship tbh (in large part because of office location; I want to be in Chicago but am about to start in NYC), I'm more interested in if they would be more likely to staff me on more interesting work because of the future clerkship, or if the fact that I'd be leaving in like 8-10 months would mean I'd just be stuck on doc review the whole time.

[svkclvk]

Incoming associate here - anyone have the low down on the move to Wolf Point? K&E site still says the old location, but I thought the move was supposed to happen Q1. Is it still on?

[svkclvk]

Incoming associate here - anyone have the low down on the move to Wolf Point? K&E site still says the old location, but I thought the move was supposed to happen Q1. Is it still on?

Sorry forgot to say asking about the move of the Chicago office

[Anonymous User]

Incoming associate here - anyone have the low down on the move to Wolf Point? K&E site still says the old location, but I thought the move was supposed to happen Q1. Is it still on?

Sorry forgot to say asking about the move of the Chicago office

Happening now, basically. It's fairly nice, but overall seems like a pretty dumb way to spend money to me. Partner and junior associate offices are a big downgrade (partners because they're fishbowls, juniors because they're in the interior). Midlevel associates are probably the only ones better off. This while the partners are making literally double what they were last time they moved. On the other hand, having seen partners' houses, lawyers clearly have no idea how to spend money, so maybe this isn't surprising.

[soft blue]

Incoming associate question: if I have an upcoming clerkship, say in 2025-2026 or 2026-2027, when/how should I alert the firm? Should I at all?

Also, if it was in a city where the firm has a major office, would there likely be some flexibility for me to switch offices quickly?

You should absolutely let them know.
Also, I've heard from two former Kirkland associates that the firm has NO OFFERED them despite being in good standing after finishing their clerkships. I'd ask if you could get a contract/offer letter BEFORE you leave saying explicitly that you'll be given a spot when you are done clerking. If they refuse, that should tell you something.

Whatever your views on K&E, I would not ask for this because it doesn't make sense. Associate is an at-will job, a letter promising you a return offer is meaningless. (And many judges have peccadilloes about post-clerkship recruiting, so there are a lot of handshake agreements when people leave because anything else would ruffle feathers.)

[Anonymous User]

Incoming associate here - anyone have the low down on the move to Wolf Point? K&E site still says the old location, but I thought the move was supposed to happen Q1. Is it still on?

Sorry forgot to say asking about the move of the Chicago office

Happening now, basically. It's fairly nice, but overall seems like a pretty dumb way to spend money to me. Partner and junior associate offices are a big downgrade (partners because they're fishbowls, juniors because they're in the interior). Midlevel associates are probably the only ones better off. This while the partners are making literally double what they were last time they moved. On the other hand, having seen partners' houses, lawyers clearly have no idea how to spend money, so maybe this isn't surprising.

Share more about associate offices. Until what year are they interior? What kind of office do midlevels get, and from what year?

It would be strange for KE to be off market like this. Every other firm in Chicago gives external offices to first years.

[Sackboy]

It would be strange for KE to be off market like this. Every other firm in Chicago gives external offices to first years.

KE also has (i) 700 or so attorneys in Chicago these days, (ii) probably one of the highest associate (including 7th/8th year NEPs) to share partner ratios in the city, and (iii) probably just moved into the most expensive office space in the city, so it's not particularly surprising that they are off-market in this regard.

[Anonymous User]

It would be strange for KE to be off market like this. Every other firm in Chicago gives external offices to first years.

KE also has (i) 700 or so attorneys in Chicago these days, (ii) probably one of the highest associate (including 7th/8th year NEPs) to share partner ratios in the city, and (iii) probably just moved into the most expensive office space in the city, so it's not particularly surprising that they are off-market in this regard.

They have a high headcount, but they also make a lot of money, both in absolute terms and per capita. If it were 7 100-attorney offices in a trenchcoat, they'd be expected to provide window offices for everyone. And guess what, that's what every 100 attorney office in town does. So yeah, it's surprising that they're being cheap.

But anyway. Anyone have an answer to my question? Until what year are you in internal offices? This is relevant to me personally.

[Sackboy]

It would be strange for KE to be off market like this. Every other firm in Chicago gives external offices to first years.

KE also has (i) 700 or so attorneys in Chicago these days, (ii) probably one of the highest associate (including 7th/8th year NEPs) to share partner ratios in the city, and (iii) probably just moved into the most expensive office space in the city, so it's not particularly surprising that they are off-market in this regard.

They have a high headcount, but they also make a lot of money, both in absolute terms and per capita. If it were 7 100-attorney offices in a trenchcoat, they'd be expected to provide window offices for everyone. And guess what, that's what every 100 attorney office in town does. So yeah, it's surprising that they're being cheap.

But anyway. Anyone have an answer to my question? Until what year are you in internal offices? This is relevant to me personally.

The lack of critical thinking to see how a 700 attorney office is different from 7 100 attorney offices and how dismissive you are tells me you're going to kill it at Kirkland. Congrats.

Also, great anon use.

[Anonymous User]

It would be strange for KE to be off market like this. Every other firm in Chicago gives external offices to first years.

KE also has (i) 700 or so attorneys in Chicago these days, (ii) probably one of the highest associate (including 7th/8th year NEPs) to share partner ratios in the city, and (iii) probably just moved into the most expensive office space in the city, so it's not particularly surprising that they are off-market in this regard.

They have a high headcount, but they also make a lot of money, both in absolute terms and per capita. If it were 7 100-attorney offices in a trenchcoat, they'd be expected to provide window offices for everyone. And guess what, that's what every 100 attorney office in town does. So yeah, it's surprising that they're being cheap.

But anyway. Anyone have an answer to my question? Until what year are you in internal offices? This is relevant to me personally.

First two years, as I understand it.

[Anonymous User]

It would be strange for KE to be off market like this. Every other firm in Chicago gives external offices to first years.

KE also has (i) 700 or so attorneys in Chicago these days, (ii) probably one of the highest associate (including 7th/8th year NEPs) to share partner ratios in the city, and (iii) probably just moved into the most expensive office space in the city, so it's not particularly surprising that they are off-market in this regard.

They have a high headcount, but they also make a lot of money, both in absolute terms and per capita. If it were 7 100-attorney offices in a trenchcoat, they'd be expected to provide window offices for everyone. And guess what, that's what every 100 attorney office in town does. So yeah, it's surprising that they're being cheap.

But anyway. Anyone have an answer to my question? Until what year are you in internal offices? This is relevant to me personally.

First two years, as I understand it.

Got it, appreciate the response.

[Anonymous User]

Do any associates starting Fall 2024 have a start date yet?

Not here. Hoping for as late as possible--I'm going to need such a break after the bar lmao

The info I was provided is that the start date falls within the second or third Monday in September. For example, the trend for the last three years was as follows:

2023 9/18/2023
2022 9/12/2023
2021 9/13/2023

Hope that helps.

This is very helpful. I still don't have a start date and I know my peers last year already had a start date this time of year. I'm trying to make summer plans so I hope they officially give us one soon.

[Anonymous User]

Do any associates starting Fall 2024 have a start date yet?

Not here. Hoping for as late as possible--I'm going to need such a break after the bar lmao

The info I was provided is that the start date falls within the second or third Monday in September. For example, the trend for the last three years was as follows:

2023 9/18/2023
2022 9/12/2023
2021 9/13/2023

Hope that helps.

Anecdotal but this may be office dependent. The firm was really flexible about my non-NY/CH start date. They proactively gave me three different Mondays in Sept/Oct and also said to let them know if I preferred something else. But note that this was off a clerkship. I can't remember if any first years started on the same day as me, but I know some laterals/post-clerks did.

[Anonymous User]

Do any associates starting Fall 2024 have a start date yet?

Not here. Hoping for as late as possible--I'm going to need such a break after the bar lmao

The info I was provided is that the start date falls within the second or third Monday in September. For example, the trend for the last three years was as follows:

2023 9/18/2023
2022 9/12/2023
2021 9/13/2023

Hope that helps.

Anecdotal but this may be office dependent. The firm was really flexible about my non-NY/CH start date. They proactively gave me three different Mondays in Sept/Oct and also said to let them know if I preferred something else. But note that this was off a clerkship. I can't remember if any first years started on the same day as me, but I know some laterals/post-clerks did.

Sorry, should have mentioned this was for New York.

[Anonymous User]

Incoming stub year to NYC here--does anyone have sense if there's extra space for juniors in Chicago? My GF looks like she'll have an easier time getting a job there than in NYC. Lit, if it matters.

Also, if I get licensed in both NY and IL at the same time, is it easier to switch before you start or during your first year?

[Anonymous User]

Incoming stub year to NYC here--does anyone have sense if there's extra space for juniors in Chicago? My GF looks like she'll have an easier time getting a job there than in NYC. Lit, if it matters.

Also, if I get licensed in both NY and IL at the same time, is it easier to switch before you start or during your first year?

Why would Chicago Lit be any easier than NY lit? Did you get a sense that it's busier, or the standards are lower?

[nealric]

It would be strange for KE to be off market like this. Every other firm in Chicago gives external offices to first years.

KE also has (i) 700 or so attorneys in Chicago these days, (ii) probably one of the highest associate (including 7th/8th year NEPs) to share partner ratios in the city, and (iii) probably just moved into the most expensive office space in the city, so it's not particularly surprising that they are off-market in this regard.

They have a high headcount, but they also make a lot of money, both in absolute terms and per capita. If it were 7 100-attorney offices in a trenchcoat, they'd be expected to provide window offices for everyone. And guess what, that's what every 100 attorney office in town does. So yeah, it's surprising that they're being cheap.

But anyway. Anyone have an answer to my question? Until what year are you in internal offices? This is relevant to me personally.

They are being cheap, to be sure, but the floor space requirements of a 700 attorney firm are going to be very unique compared to seven 100 attorney firms. Almost no other employer is going to need/want that much trophy class office space with 700 exterior offices. But a lot of professional services firms would need space for 100 private exterior offices.

In NYC, it is expected that juniors share offices (and was the case when I was in NYC biglaw over a decade ago). I understand many NYC firms are ditching offices altogether for juniors. In London, some firms are open office for everyone (even partners).