Kirkland & Ellis LLP is an American multinational law firm founded in 1909 in Chicago by attorneys Stuart G. Shepard and Robert R. McCormick. The firm gained prominence with the addition of name partners Weymouth Kirkland and Howard Ellis in 1915. Over the decades, it expanded rapidly, becoming one of the largest U.S. law firms and opening its first international office in London in 1994. Today, it operates 22 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, employing over 7,000 people, including approximately 4,000 lawyers. Kirkland & Ellis is a major international law firm known for representing high-profile clients in litigation and corporate matters, with market-leading practices in private equity, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), complex corporate transactions, investment fund formation, restructurings, high-stakes litigation, intellectual property, and government investigations. It serves a diverse roster of global clients, including major corporations, financial sponsors, and private equity firms. Since 2017, Kirkland & Ellis has been the world's largest law firm by revenue, reaching $8.8 billion in 2024, and is also the most profitable, with profits per equity partner at $9.25 million. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm continues to grow through strategic expansions and a focus on complex, high-value legal matters, solidifying its position as a top financial performer in the legal industry.