October 5, 2025

Kirkland & Ellis: Rising Legal Powerhouse in Texas

News Summary

Kirkland & Ellis, a renowned corporate law firm, has rapidly expanded its Texas presence since 2014, now boasting over 450 lawyers across Houston, Dallas, and Austin. With astounding revenue growth and a significant backlog of mergers and acquisitions, the firm is a leading name in the region’s legal landscape. Their success is attracting some envy among competitors, earning them the moniker ‘Evil Empire.’ Despite challenges, Kirkland’s focus on ambition and resilience continues to build a legacy in Texas.

Texas – The prestigious law firm Kirkland & Ellis has reached a remarkable milestone, surpassing $1.15 billion in revenue from its Texas offices in 2024. This astounding growth reflects a rapid expansion that began with just seven corporate deal lawyers who opened the firm’s initial Texas office in 2014, operating out of a temporary space above a taco shop in Houston.

Since its inception, Kirkland’s Texas operations have been characterized by swift growth and a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions. Within one week of opening, the Houston office was already engaged in 30 M&A transactions, marking a strong start that led to an increase in staff from seven to 27 lawyers within mere months. The firm’s rapid expansion continued with the establishment of a second office in Dallas in 2018, followed by a third office in Austin in later years. Today, Kirkland employs over 450 lawyers in Texas, including 140 in Dallas alone.

The firm’s financial success has been exceptional, with Texas revenue soaring from $65 million in 2015 to the impressive $1.15 billion reported in 2024. Moreover, the revenue generated by Kirkland’s Texas lawyers exceeded the combined revenues of Vinson & Elkins and Jackson Walker, the second and third largest law firms in Texas, respectively. Additionally, Kirkland reported profits per partner of $9 million in 2024, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in the legal field.

Kirkland’s success has not gone unnoticed, as legal analysts and competitors alike have dubbed it the most successful and profitable business law firm in Texas history. The firm has also accomplished significant milestones on a global scale, reporting nearly $9 billion in revenue across approximately 24 offices worldwide. Kirkland’s Texas office boasts a roster of high-profile clients, including major corporations such as Keurig Dr Pepper, CyrusOne, Lone Star Funds, and Diamondback Energy.

Among the key clients secured by Kirkland’s Texas branch was Energy Future Holdings, whose legal representation during bankruptcy proceedings provided Kirkland with over $300 million in fees. The firm’s significant contributions to the merger and acquisition landscape are underscored by a record of leading 134 deals valued at a total of $185.4 billion in just the first nine months of 2025, nearly doubling the output of any rival firm. Since 2015, Kirkland lawyers in Texas have led or co-led a remarkable 1,266 mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures with a collective value of approximately $923.6 billion.

The rapid business growth has elicited mixed reactions, with some competitors referring to Kirkland as the “Evil Empire.” This term stems from criticisms regarding the firm’s aggressive hiring strategies and lucrative signing bonuses that have attracted numerous legal professionals. Kirkland’s distinct business model, which interweaves private equity, M&A, corporate restructuring, and tax law, is regarded as “nearly recession-proof,” strengthening its position in the legal marketplace.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many distinguished lawyers, including Taj Clayton and Michael Considine, opted to transition to Kirkland, drawn by the firm’s exceptional team and client base. Looking ahead, one of Kirkland’s founding lawyers, Andy Calder, stated the firm has not yet reached its peak and envisions further growth opportunities throughout Texas.

The unprecedented journey of Kirkland & Ellis in Texas illustrates the firm’s strategic growth and influence in the business law sector, positioning it as a key player in the legal landscape for years to come.

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Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

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