Dispute resolution
Kirkland & Ellis LLP advises established global and developing companies, as well as private equity and venture capital investors, on litigation and corporate matters. Renowned for its deep litigation bench, the firm represents clients in product liability, antitrust, patent and commercial matters. Key figures include trial and appellate lawyer New York-based Jay Lefkowitz and Chicago’s James Hurst, a trial lawyer focused on IP and commercial litigation. Both in New York, Devora Allon specializes in product liability, antitrust, and commercial litigation in NY, whereas Jeanna Wacker concentrates on IP. On the corporate side, the practice has experience structuring deals and navigating transaction-related regulatory matters, with New York-based Dennis Williams bringing valuable expertise in regulatory on the latter. Boston-based Graham Robinson joined the firm in mid-2025, bringing significant transactional and governance expertise, as did Laura Knoll - both arrived from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
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Position
Jay Lefkowitz is a litigation partner at Kirkland. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School, where he teaches a seminar on Supreme Court advocacy. Jay has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a wide variety of substantive areas, including shareholder disputes, antitrust, product liability, litigation against the FDA and False Claims Act matters. He has also conducted numerous internal investigations for public companies and audit committees.
In its 2013 release of “The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America,” The National Law Journal describes Jay as “a leading voice on school choice issues” and “a no-nonsense appellate and antitrust lawyer for an array of blue-chip clients.” The Legal 500 U.S. noted that Jay “provides a depth of understanding and influence in some of the highest courts of our country,” and in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, clients say, “‘Jay is brilliant; there is no other way to put it.’” Jay was also named a Law360 “MVP of the Year” in 2011 for his Appellate practice, and in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 for his Life Sciences work. Jay is one of only three of the 189 MVPs named to the list six years in a row. The American Lawyer named him its “Lawyer of the Week” in December 2012 for his role in winning an antitrust lawsuit in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘What sets this firm apart is its combination of intellectual rigor, responsiveness, and a personable approach. The team comprises intelligent, diverse attorneys who bring a broad range of perspectives and experiences to their work. They have demonstrated skill in managing challenging opposing counsel with professionalism and strategic precision, ensuring clients’ interests are always effectively advocated.’
‘Partners Pat Carson, Jeanna Wacker and Mark McLennan are fantastic.’