Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite

USA Guide 2026 : District of Columbia

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Kirkland & Ellis

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Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

For more information about Kirkland & Ellis’ practices, please visit kirkland.com/services.


Chambers Review

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Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite - District of Columbia

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Kirkland & Ellis boasts an exemplary litigation practice with a national and global reach. It represents top-tier, multinational clients from a broad range of sectors, including financial services, energy and technology. The team is highly successful in class action defense, with significant victories in consumer, antitrust, securities and RICO class actions. It is particularly well regarded for its handling of major, nationwide product liability disputes and frequently acts for clients in complex multidistrict cases. The firm is recognized for the strength of its trial practice as well as its impressive track record in front of arbitration panels and appellate courts.

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Work Highlights

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  • Kirkland & Ellis successfully represented Hess Corporation against plaintiffs, who claimed fraud, breach of contract and conversion damages.

Strengths

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  • The team is timely, efficient and always done ahead of time. They are a go-to for complexity.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

  • K&E partners have not only the sophistication but also the personal and professional commitment to meet the fast-moving demands of global complexity and multiple litigation forums.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

  • They are an excellent trial team, from the most senior lawyer to junior lawyers.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

  • Kirkland & Ellis has a lot of lawyers. They can staff things very quickly with the best talent. They are the largest law firm in the land and get people into things and up to speed very quickly.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

  • They are fantastic technical and strategic lawyers, who are also fantastic with client service. The firm has the deepest bench you will ever find and they have gotten great results for us.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Craig S. Primis
    Craig S. Primis

    Craig S. Primis

    Craig Primis is well regarded for his representation of clients in substantial False Claims Act and trade secrets cases, as well as shareholder disputes and class actions. He also excels in litigation relating to data breaches and antitrust.

    • Craig is simply outstanding, he is the most trusted litigator I have worked with. He is highly strategic and deeply understands our operations and needs, and he provides impeccable advice.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • Michael F Williams
    Michael F Williams

    Michael F Williams

    Michael Williams is a prolific litigator who frequently represents clients both in trial and on appeal. He offers significant experience in toxic torts, putative class actions and disputes relating to constitutional law.

    • Michael shines in court.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Mike deploys pure intellect and contained aggression in cross-examination. He has the energy and sophistication to manage large legal and financial teams across multiple legal fronts.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He is really good on strategy and thinks commercially, which is super important in litigation.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • Daniel T. Donovan
    Daniel T. Donovan

    Daniel T. Donovan

    Daniel Donovan is a seasoned trial lawyer with wide-ranging commercial experience. He is particularly noted for his representation of clients in the energy sector, as well as resource and pharmaceutical businesses.

    • Daniel is a highly commercial and extremely creative attorney, who absolutely understands the business and objectives and comes up with business-focused resolutions to our most complex problems.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Dan is an excellent trial lawyer, from pre-trial strategy and preparation through to trial. He brings thorough preparation, smart strategy and effective tactical execution.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (3)

District of Columbia

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