Legal Services

Kirkland & Ellis to hold back pay from departing partners 

Defensive move follows major talent raid by rival Paul Weiss

Equity partners at Kirkland & Ellis were paid an average of nearly $8m for 2023, as Big Law’s talent battle continues with overhauls to policies
Equity partners at Kirkland & Ellis were paid an average of nearly $8m for 2023, as Big Law’s talent battle continues with overhauls to policies Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Kirkland & Ellis could soon hold on to more than half of what departing partners are owed under a new policy at the world’s largest law firm.

Kirkland pays its equity partners around 45% of what they make every year, holding back 55% until the following year, according to people familiar with the firm.

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