Mr Jay Lefkowitz > Kirkland & Ellis LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Regarded by clients as ‘outstanding in every aspect of their practice’, the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences practice at Kirkland & Ellis LLP advises private equity and venture capital investors, as well as biotech and pharmaceutical companies, at varying stages of development. New York based litigator Jay Lefkowitz often acts in pharmaceutical antitrust suits, FCA and FDA related internal investigations, and product liability cases. Chicago’s ‘absolutely brilliant‘ Jim Hurst is a litigator who handles commercial, IP and patent disputes, while New York’s ‘highly experienced, highly skilled and talented‘ Patricia Carson is a life sciences litigator who focuses on patent strategy and disputes, often acting for biotech, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies.

Historically a strong player in appellate matters, Kirkland & Ellis LLP has established an impressive record of involvement in major cases at the federal courts of appeals, state appellate courts, and the US Supreme Court. In Washington DC, former Deputy Associate Attorney General John O’Quinn is noted for his expertise in IP and regulatory-related cases; he is representing Safeway in False Claims Act litigation alleging that defendants’ pharmacies misrepresented their usual and customary prices. George Hicks splits his practice between Washington DC and Dallas; he recently secured a win in the Eleventh Circuit for BP Exploration & Production in one of the first appeals addressing the ‘Back-End Litigation Option’ process established by the Deepwater Horizon medical settlement agreement. In New York, Jay Lefkowitz is recommended for his broad trial and appellate experience; he recently secured appellate victories for New Mountain Capital portfolio company, Ciox Health before the Ninth and Seventh Circuits. Washington DC-based William Burgess additionally stands out for his emphasis on patent and regulatory-related appeals. The firm saw some significant changes to its appellate practice in 2022: Paul Clement and Erin Murphy left to launch a new boutique and several attorneys followed, including Bartow Farr and Harker Rhodes.