THE CHEETAH BRIEF – 21st Edition
Kirkland & Ellis, the world’s highest-grossing law firm, recently appointed its first-ever chief operating officer, Gary Levin, marking a significant shift toward the broader Big Law trend of hiring business executives to manage firm operations. With a growing attorney head count—now around 4,000—and a multibillion-dollar budget, the firm recognized the need for a full-time professional to oversee administrative functions previously handled by practicing lawyers. Levin, a private equity veteran, brings decades of experience, including from Ares Management and Blackstone. Firm chair Jon Ballis emphasized that as law firms evolve into complex, large-scale businesses, having leaders from the corporate world allows top lawyers to focus on client work while ensuring more effective management of HR, finance, technology, and talent.
MARKET MOVEMENTS
Kirkland tax partner, Sherry Xie, heads to Paul Hastings in New York.
Orrick launches Miami office with three Akerman Partners, Santiago Assalini, Ken Wiggins, and Samuel Ramos.
Proskauer private client head, David Pratt, moves to McDermott.
Freshfields hires A&O Shearman securities litigation co-head, Agnès Dunogué.
FIRM SPOTLIGHT - WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is a global law firm with over 1,100 attorneys across 17 offices, known for its deep expertise in technology and life sciences, including financings, M&A, IP, litigation, and regulatory matters. Founded in Palo Alto, the firm pioneered a “three circles” model to support companies at every growth stage. With a strong focus on the tech sector, the firm serves clients across AI, biotech, fintech, semiconductors, and more, and maintains close ties with major financial institutions and venture capital firms. Its IP and patent practices are nationally ranked, supported by over 170 specialists. The firm also offers Launch, a unique Bay Area program for junior associates to gain broad exposure across corporate and securities work.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Covid era law graduates remain highly mobile. According to an annual study recently released by NALP, 65% of the 1,235 class of 2021 alumni surveyed have already changed jobs at least once since graduation.
As Big Law grows in New York, several Am Law 50 firms this year have been seeking additional office space in Manhattan. In New York, Kirkland, Goodwin and Paul Weiss all expanded office space in the second quarter of 2025. Nineteen law firms signed leases for about 1.2 million square feet of office space, which is more than double the amount signed in the first quarter of 2025.
Kirkland and Simpson each paid $300,000 to Ballard Partners, a top lobbying firm, in Q2, as overall big law lobbying budgets soar over Q1 numbers
Chief operating officers and administrative executives at law firms see partners as the biggest roadblock to implementing technology upgrades at their organizations, according to the Blickstein Group’s “Law Firm COO Survey”
INDUSTRY NEWS
Principles vs. Policy: Big Law Associates Push Back
A former associate at Davis Polk was fired in mid-June after refusing to stop publishing political commentary despite firm objections. The associate’s firing highlights a broader wave of public dissent among Big Law associates, many of whom have voiced frustration over their firms’ perceived complicity or silence regarding the Trump administration. Associates at firms like Skadden, Kirkland, and Willkie have resigned publicly, written open letters, or launched campaigns targeting firm leadership, signaling a rare moment of activism within a typically discreet profession. While most associates remain silent due to career concerns and financial pressures, recruiters confirm that firm alignment with political issues is increasingly factoring into job decisions. Legal experts caution that taking a stand early in one’s legal career is risky, but some believe there is still space in the industry for principled voices.
U.K. Court Blocks J.P. Morgan’s Greek Suit Against Viva Directors
A U.K. court has granted an anti-suit injunction preventing J.P. Morgan from pursuing a €916 million lawsuit in Greece against executives of fintech firm Viva Wallet, marking a win for Viva and Quinn Emanuel over J.P. Morgan’s advisers at Freshfields. The court ruled that the Greek proceedings violated a shareholder agreement with majority shareholder WeRealize.com. The judge cited a breach of an implied contractual obligation and noted the increasingly hostile relationship between the parties, which has also included criminal complaints and previous legal disputes in London.
