Kirkland, Illinois — Kirkland & Ellis has significantly expanded its litigation capabilities by acquiring over 20 attorneys, including 12 partners, from King & Spalding. This strategic move aims to enhance the firm’s expertise in mass torts and product liability defense.
The recruitment, which took place last week, features prominent attorneys such as Kristen Fournier, Kim Bueno, Morty Dubin, and John Ewald. Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed that a total of 23 lawyers have agreed to the transition, with further discussions ongoing to expand the group to nearly 30 lawyers, including additional partners, associates, and counsel.
As part of the transition, one attorney was elevated to partner status at Kirkland, bringing the total number of new partners to 13. A spokesperson for King & Spalding expressed support for the departing group and wished them success in their new roles.
Andrew Kassof, a litigation partner and member of Kirkland’s executive committee, highlighted the firm’s impressive growth in its litigation department. He noted that the ongoing momentum has attracted world-class talent, further solidifying the firm’s position in the legal market.
The new attorneys will integrate into Kirkland’s product liability and mass tort trial team, which is under the leadership of Allison Brown. Brown, who joined Kirkland in January from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, is well-regarded in the field. Fournier remarked on LinkedIn that collaborating with Brown had been a “personal career goal” she had pursued for eight years.
Members of the newly acquired team have substantial experience representing major pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson. They are set to operate from various locations, including Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, and New York, per the firm’s announcement.
Fournier, previously co-chair of King & Spalding’s toxic and environmental tort litigation team, played a pivotal role in the defense of Johnson & Johnson in high-stakes litigations involving talcum powder products linked to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer claims. She also acted as the leading defense counsel for a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary facing scrutiny over the prescription drug Elmiron, which has been associated with visual impairments among users.
“Our team is honored to join Kirkland during this remarkable period of growth and success,” Fournier said.
This move by Kirkland is being watched closely within the legal community as it underscores the firm’s commitment to enhancing its litigation practice through strategic talent acquisition.
This article was automatically written by Open AI, and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by contacting email at contact@publiclawlibrary.org.