Kirkland & Ellis eyes Utah law schools with Salt Lake City launch

Kirkland & Ellis eyes Utah law schools with Salt Lake City launch

The global giant is in a buoyant mood after it topped Mergermarket's global M&A advisory league table for the first half of 2021

The Chicago-based global firm Kirkland & Ellis has announced its launch in Salt Lake City. The firm has ambitious plans to attract new legal talent by entering into tie-ups with some of the top law schools of Utah for the purpose.

The global giant is eyeing ties with Utah schools like Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School and the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of law.

"With an extraordinary talent pool of highly skilled attorneys, as well as an excellent academic community, including Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School and University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law, having an office in Salt Lake City enhances our ability to attract exceptional legal talent and expand our capacity to meet increasing client demand," Jon Ballis, chairman of Kirkland's executive committee, said.

Kirkland is sending some of its prominent lawyers including for the Salt City Launch, including its corporate partner Travis Nelson and litigation partner Brigham Cannon, both alumni of Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School. They are relocating from New York and Washington DC respectively. They will be joined by investment funds partner Warren Goodworth, who is relocating from the firm's headquarters in Windy City.

Of late Salt Lake City is being dubbed as the 'Silicon Slopes' due to its growing start-up and venture capital scene. Several prominent law firms like Dentons, Quinn Emanuel and Lewis Brisbois have already set up shops in Salt Lake City with an eye to cash in on the burgeoning commercial activities.

Kirkland is in a buoyant mood after it topped Mergermarket's global M&A advisory league table for the first half of 2021 by deal count in July, notching 420 deals worth approximately $317 billion.

The firm is already planning big with new launches to further expand and consolidate its position in the US and global market. The Utah launch follows the recent launch in the Texas capital Austin, enabling it to set shops in three major Texas cities. It already has offices in Huston and Dallas.