Kirkland & Ellis Application Guide 2027
Every programme, deadline, and requirement for applying to Kirkland & Ellis. Plus a free CV checker to see if you pass screening.
Programmes
Kirkland & Ellis programmes
Training Contract
Eligibility
Law and non-law graduates (with GDL/SQE)
Opens
Varies
Deadline
Varies by firm
Duration
2 years (4 seats)
Vacation Scheme
~70-80% conversionEligibility
Penultimate-year undergraduates and GDL/LPC students
Opens
October
Deadline
December-January
Duration
2 weeks
Requirements
What Kirkland & Ellis looks for
PE interest, Kirkland is the world's leading PE law firm. Genuine PE interest is essential.
Drive, US firm intensity. 60-75 hours/week. They want people who thrive on high volume.
Commercial judgement, Advising PE sponsors requires understanding deal economics, not just law.
Attention to detail, Complex PE transactions demand precision.
Resilience, High deal volume means sustained intensity.
Team orientation, Large deal teams working across time zones.
Grade requirements
Typically AAA at A-Level and a 2:1 degree. Some firms use contextual recruitment.
Tips
How to apply to Kirkland & Ellis
Kirkland is #1 by revenue globally. Show you understand their PE-centric model.
Kirkland is #1 by revenue globally. Know this.
Their PE practice is unmatched. Know major PE sponsors they advise.
US firm culture is intense but rewarding. Show you understand the trade-off.
Smaller London office = more responsibility early.
Know the difference between Kirkland and Latham, Kirkland is more PE-specialist.
Proofread everything. Kirkland & Ellis receives thousands of applications, copy-paste errors from other firms are obvious and result in immediate rejection.
CV check
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CV standards
Kirkland & Ellis CV requirements
One page maximum for undergraduates. Two pages acceptable for graduates with significant legal experience.
Education first, include degree classification (or predicted), A-level results, and relevant modules or dissertation topics.
Legal experience prominently featured, vacation schemes, mini-pupillages, pro bono, mooting, law society involvement.
Quantify achievements where possible, "managed a team of 15" or "contributed to a brief covering £2m in damages".
Tailor to Kirkland & Ellis, reference practice areas that align with your interests and the firm's strengths.
Professional formatting, consistent fonts, clear section headers, no colours or graphics.
Success rates
Kirkland & Ellis conversion rates
| Stage | Conversion |
|---|---|
| Application → Online assessment | Selective (estimated ~20-30%) |
| Online assessment → Video interview | Estimated ~30-50% |
| Video interview → Assessment centre | Estimated ~30-50% |
| Assessment centre → Offer | Estimated ~30-50% |
| Vacation scheme → Training contract | Typically 70-80% |
| Overall application → offer | Estimated ~5-7% |
FAQ
Kirkland & Ellis application FAQs
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