Kirkland, Washington — In a significant shift within the legal landscape, Kirkland & Ellis has recruited over 20 litigators, including 12 partners, from King & Spalding, aiming to enhance its capabilities in mass tort and product liability defense. This transition marks a substantial addition to Kirkland’s litigation practice as the firm gears up for significant growth.
Among the prominent partners joining Kirkland are Kristen Fournier, Kim Bueno, Morty Dubin, and John Ewald, who began their transition to the firm last week. According to insiders familiar with the situation, the total number of lawyers making the switch stands at 23, with prospects of expanding the group to nearly 30 in the near future.
As part of this transition, one of the incoming attorneys has been elevated to partner status at Kirkland, bringing the total number of new partners at the firm to 13. A representative from King & Spalding expressed well wishes for the departing attorneys, emphasizing the firm’s commitment to its remaining personnel.
Andrew Kassof, a litigation partner and part of Kirkland’s executive committee, noted that the firm has experienced significant growth in its litigation practice over the past year. He highlighted the importance of attracting top-tier talent to maintain and enhance the firm’s competitive edge.
The incoming group will contribute to a team already well-established in product liability and mass tort litigation, led by partner Allison Brown. Brown, who previously worked at Skadden, joined Kirkland in Philadelphia in January. In a recent LinkedIn post, Fournier expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with Brown, describing it as a “personal career goal eight years in the making.”
The new recruits bring extensive experience working with major pharmaceutical corporations, including Johnson & Johnson. They will be based in various offices, including Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, and New York, as detailed in the firm’s announcement on Tuesday.
Fournier, who formerly co-chaired King & Spalding’s toxic and environmental tort litigation team, played a key role in defending Johnson & Johnson against allegations related to their talcum powder products and a prescription drug linked to visual impairments. She expressed pride in joining Kirkland during a period of remarkable growth for the firm’s litigation department.
This shake-up underscores Kirkland’s aggressive strategy to expand its litigation capabilities while maintaining its reputation as a leading law firm in a competitive market.
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