Kirkland & Ellis controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2023
Texas racketeering lawsuit
A Texas complaint named Kirkland as a defendant and alleged that it participated with a former bankruptcy judge and Jackson Walker in concealing a relationship connected to legal-fee awards in Chapter 11 proceedings. These remain allegations in litigation.
2020
Boeing 737 MAX prosecution controversy
Kirkland represented Boeing in matters related to the 737 MAX disasters. The prosecution agreement’s treatment of Boeing executives drew criticism, including because former U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox later became a Kirkland partner.
2019
Jeffrey Epstein plea-bargain controversy
The firm represented Jeffrey Epstein in a sex-trafficking investigation that ended in a reduced-charge plea bargain. Critics argued that the lenient arrangement enabled later abuse, and reporting alleged that victims’ rights were violated through secret plea discussions.
1995
Tobacco whistleblower litigation
While representing Brown & Williamson, the firm made legal threats seeking to prevent CBS from airing a 60 Minutes interview with tobacco whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand.