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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