Chairman Of Biglaw's #1 Firm Is Concerned About Its Bad Reputation
When it comes to Kirkland & Ellis, he says the firm is just misunderstood.
I know this sounds insecure, but I hear often that you are a tough place to work, and it’s not worth it. That conversation happens often. And that’s how I know that this reputational thing is a problem.
We’re like college sports: The players pick us. And the misconception of who we are is not helpful to our institution.
— Jon Ballis, chairman of Kirkland & Ellis, commenting on his firm’s reputational problems within the Biglaw enclave, in a series of interviews with Bloomberg Law. Ballis wants to change the narrative and let would-be Kirkland associates know that the firm is simply misunderstood. “We have a system that demands a lot from people, gives them a lot of responsibility, and requires people to work together,” he said. “And if you don’t want to work together, we’re not your kind of firm.”
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
