Litigation Practice & Technology Principal
Apply NowCompany: Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Location: Chicago, IL 60629
Description:
About Kirkland & Ellis
At Kirkland & Ellis, we don't just meet the standard for legal excellence-we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity, and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional expertise and dedication of our people.
With 6,500+ professionals, including 4,000 lawyers, across 21 offices worldwide, Kirkland attorneys shape markets, influence policies, and establish legal precedents that redefine what's possible. We bring together the best minds to meet clients where they are, driving the future of business, investment, and innovation.
What You'll Do
The firm's discovery and data science teams continue to grow. We are looking for experienced leaders excited by a day-to-day that pivots--often rapidly, between discovery subject-matter consulting, team development and thinking about what's next.
The Litigation & Practice Technology ("LPT") Principal reports to the Managing Director of Litigation & Practice Technology and is primarily responsible for directing, supporting, and participating in a team of ediscovery and data science specialists dedicated to defining and executing workflows focused on thoughtful analysis and production of client documents and data. Matters in scope include litigations, internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, due diligence reviews, and other complex legal matters.
Ideal candidates will have spent 10+ years of their career delivering ediscovery solutions in one or more of a variety of roles (e.g., at a law firm, advisory firm, service provider, inhouse legal team or technology company).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Matter Intake, Assessment & Execution:
The Principal will consult and strategize with case teams, clients, and team members on efficient and effective ways to meet discovery objectives through appropriate matter staffing, vendor engagement, workflow design and application of technology.
The Principal must be a seasoned ediscovery specialist that can bring forward creative solutions backed up by broad experience and tested expertise.
Team Building & Growth:
The Principal will be joining a leadership team dedicated to modeling and fostering a culture of open, constructive communication and cross-team collaboration.
The role will lead a cross-functional team of (6-10) ediscovery experts all focused on delivering exceptional outcomes to case teams and clients. The Principal will communicate directly, contemporaneously, and constantly with all team members transforming individual knowledge and discoveries, into team knowledge and department success.
The Principal will encourage awareness and adoption of appropriate standard operating procedures and other defined practices necessary to ensure continuity and quality in service delivery.
Department Initiatives:
The Principal will be a member of LPT's senior leadership team.
The Principal will support team and firm-wide initiatives and special projects focused on emerging technology assessment (e.g., GenAI) and other process improvements.
The role will support the creation and delivery of presentations to firm clients, attorneys, paralegals and staff regarding team services, technology training and general ediscovery topics.
LPT leadership may adjust or assign responsibilities within the context of this role to support the Firm and our clients as required. The Principal role includes client-billable and non-billable tasks.
What You'll Bring
Required
Preferred
Compensation
The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.
Compensation Range:
How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."
Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. #LI-Hybrid #LI-LC1
At Kirkland & Ellis, we don't just meet the standard for legal excellence-we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity, and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional expertise and dedication of our people.
With 6,500+ professionals, including 4,000 lawyers, across 21 offices worldwide, Kirkland attorneys shape markets, influence policies, and establish legal precedents that redefine what's possible. We bring together the best minds to meet clients where they are, driving the future of business, investment, and innovation.
What You'll Do
The firm's discovery and data science teams continue to grow. We are looking for experienced leaders excited by a day-to-day that pivots--often rapidly, between discovery subject-matter consulting, team development and thinking about what's next.
The Litigation & Practice Technology ("LPT") Principal reports to the Managing Director of Litigation & Practice Technology and is primarily responsible for directing, supporting, and participating in a team of ediscovery and data science specialists dedicated to defining and executing workflows focused on thoughtful analysis and production of client documents and data. Matters in scope include litigations, internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, due diligence reviews, and other complex legal matters.
Ideal candidates will have spent 10+ years of their career delivering ediscovery solutions in one or more of a variety of roles (e.g., at a law firm, advisory firm, service provider, inhouse legal team or technology company).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Matter Intake, Assessment & Execution:
The Principal will consult and strategize with case teams, clients, and team members on efficient and effective ways to meet discovery objectives through appropriate matter staffing, vendor engagement, workflow design and application of technology.
The Principal must be a seasoned ediscovery specialist that can bring forward creative solutions backed up by broad experience and tested expertise.
Team Building & Growth:
The Principal will be joining a leadership team dedicated to modeling and fostering a culture of open, constructive communication and cross-team collaboration.
The role will lead a cross-functional team of (6-10) ediscovery experts all focused on delivering exceptional outcomes to case teams and clients. The Principal will communicate directly, contemporaneously, and constantly with all team members transforming individual knowledge and discoveries, into team knowledge and department success.
The Principal will encourage awareness and adoption of appropriate standard operating procedures and other defined practices necessary to ensure continuity and quality in service delivery.
Department Initiatives:
The Principal will be a member of LPT's senior leadership team.
The Principal will support team and firm-wide initiatives and special projects focused on emerging technology assessment (e.g., GenAI) and other process improvements.
The role will support the creation and delivery of presentations to firm clients, attorneys, paralegals and staff regarding team services, technology training and general ediscovery topics.
LPT leadership may adjust or assign responsibilities within the context of this role to support the Firm and our clients as required. The Principal role includes client-billable and non-billable tasks.
What You'll Bring
Required
- Candidates will have spent 10+ years of their career delivering ediscovery solutions in one or more of a variety of roles (e.g., at a law firm, advisory firm, service provider, inhouse legal team or technology company).
- This experience should include significant client interactions and strong familiarity with core ediscovery workflows and platforms (Relativity, Reveal), analytics and TAR use cases (BrainSpace, RevealAI) and common ediscovery rules that impact project planning (ESI Orders, Federal Rules of Civil Procedures, data privacy/cross-border requirements).
- Candidates will have 3 or more years' experience coordinating or supervising the work of others. The Principal should have an interest and aptitude for fostering the growth of high-performing teams and enjoy one on one team member engagement. This must include an ability to identify and resolve conflicts and performance concerns directly, honestly, and respectfully.
- This position requires a high level of collaboration with clients, attorneys, and other firm leadership; therefore, the ideal candidate must possess strong communication skills and enjoy interacting with people at all levels with a high degree of accuracy, professionalism, and accountability.
- Candidates must possess exceptional organizational skills, coupled with good judgement and the ability to independently define and make progress on action items. Concurrently, they must demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and demonstrate an ability to stay aligned with and meet directives set forth by leadership.
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred
- Deep subject matter expertise in two or more of the following disciplines--data collection and forensics; complex data processing; litigation readiness consulting; assessment of discovery orders; advanced application of analytics and TAR; design and management of effective review workflows; advanced project management processes.
- Experience with business development and driving awareness of team services.
- JD/LLM and/or MBA is a plus, but not necessary.
Compensation
The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.
Compensation Range:
- Chicago: $245,000 - $270,000
How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."
Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. #LI-Hybrid #LI-LC1