Bancroft specialises in Supreme Court and appellate litigation, government investigations, national security law and corporate governance. It is Above the Law’s top firm by law school pedigree and its lawyers boast an impressive array of credentials, including 120 US Supreme Court arguments and five Presidential appointments.

Elite lawyers

Among those making the move are former US solicitor general Paul Clement and former assistant attorney general Viet Dinh.

Bancroft founding partner Mr Dinh is a leading litigator and constitutional law expert, and highly sought-after counselor to America’s top corporations, especially on corporate-governance issues.

Mr Clement is regarded as a top Supreme Court advocate in the US and according to a statement from Kirkland & Ellis has argued more Supreme Court cases since 2000 than any lawyer in or out of government. He had a short stint at King & Spalding before joining Bancroft in 2011.

‘Paul Clement is one of the most well-regarded Supreme Court lawyers in the country, and the team he and Viet have assembled at Bancroft is truly remarkable,’ said Jeffrey C. Hammes, chairman of Kirkland’s Global Management Executive Committee. ‘They join our premier litigation practice, which includes more than 435 lawyers around the world. Their skills and experience and Kirkland’s global platform will be a very powerful combination for clients. We are thrilled to welcome them to Kirkland.’

Not a merger

Although Kirkland is hiring all of Bancroft’s lawyers, the firm has not pitched the acquisition as a merger. The team will join Kirkland’s DC office on 1 October, when the new Supreme Court term begins.