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
Kirkland & Ellis has achieved remarkable growth in Texas, surpassing $1.15 billion in revenue in 2024. Since the firm’s modest beginnings in 2014—when seven corporate lawyers opened its first Texas office above a taco shop in Houston—Kirkland has transformed into a legal powerhouse in the state.
In just a decade, the firm’s Texas offices have expanded significantly. From an initial team of seven, the office quickly grew to 27 lawyers within a few months. By 2024, Kirkland employed over 450 lawyers across Texas, including 140 in Dallas. The firm also expanded its reach by opening a second office in Dallas in 2018, followed by a third in Austin in subsequent years.
A significant factor in Kirkland’s success is its impressive financial performance. The firm’s Texas revenue soared from $65 million in 2015 to a staggering $1.15 billion in 2024. This growth positions Kirkland’s Texas lawyers as leaders in the industry, generating more revenue than the combined total of Texas’s second and third largest law firms, Vinson & Elkins and Jackson Walker. In terms of profits, Kirkland has reported profits per partner of $9 million in 2024, solidifying its status as the most successful and profitable business law firm in Texas history, according to legal analysts and competitors.
Leading the M&A Market
The firm’s prowess in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) has been a driving force behind its impressive growth. In the first nine months of 2025, Kirkland led 134 M&A transactions in Texas, amounting to a total value of $185.4 billion—nearly double that of its nearest competitors. Since 2015, Kirkland lawyers in Texas have orchestrated or played a major role in 1,266 mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures valued at approximately $923.6 billion. Notable clients include Keurig Dr Pepper, CyrusOne, Lone Star Funds, Diamondback Energy, and more.
Background and Business Model
Kirkland & Ellis’s journey in Texas started with its first major client, Energy Future Holdings, for which the firm acted as legal advisor through bankruptcy proceedings, earning over $300 million in fees. Many of the firm’s lawyers joined during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawn by its strong team and impressive clientele. This includes high-profile hires like Taj Clayton and Michael Considine.
The firm’s unique business model blends private equity, M&A, corporate restructuring, and tax law, creating a robust approach that is perceived as nearly recession-proof by industry experts. This formula has allowed Kirkland to thrive even in challenging economic climates.
Reputation and Competitor Response
As Kirkland continues to dominate the Texas legal market, its aggressive growth strategies have led some competitors to label it the “Evil Empire.” This moniker stems from envy and concern over its hiring practices and lucrative signing bonuses for new talent. Despite these competing narratives, Kirkland’s managing partner in Texas, Andy Calder, maintains that the firm has not yet reached its peak potential in the region and sees ample room for further expansion.
Currently, Kirkland & Ellis is part of a vast global network, reporting nearly $9 billion in total revenue from around 24 offices worldwide. The firm’s impressive trajectory in Texas reflects broader trends in the legal industry, showcasing the increasing demand for sophisticated legal services, particularly in the realm of corporate law and mergers and acquisitions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Dallas News: Kirkland & Ellis Revenue Journey
- Law.com: Texas Legal Awards 2025
- Bloomberg: Kirkland & Ellis Diversification
- Kirkland: Steve Butler’s Pro Bono Story
- Above the Law: Kirkland & Ellis Concern over Scandal
- Wikipedia: Law Firm
- Google Search: Kirkland & Ellis Texas
- Google Scholar: Kirkland & Ellis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law Firm
- Google News: Kirkland & Ellis News
Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN
The GEORGETOWN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREgeorgetown.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Georgetown, Williamson 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 Red Poppy Festival, Georgetown Swirl, and Christmas Stroll. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Georgetown Association, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as local wineries and historic downtown shops. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
