No. 1 Biglaw Firm In The Country Poaches Partners From Top Rival Firm To Open Up Shop In Philadelphia

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The post No. 1 Biglaw Firm In The Country Poaches Partners From Top Rival Firm To Open Up Shop In Philadelphia appeared first on Above the Law.

With growth still top of mind in 2025, Biglaw firms are continuing to expand their footprints across the United States — and some firms aren’t afraid to poach entire teams from their rivals to get the job done.

Kirkland & Ellis, the No. 1 firm in the country according to the most recent Am Law 100 ranking, is making a big splash with its entrance to the Philadelphia market. According to the American Lawyer, Kirkland will open up shop in the City of Brotherly Love with the help of a five-member mass torts team from Skadden Arps. The team, led by litigation partner Allison Brown, also includes partners Jessica Davidson, Geoffrey Wyatt, Nina Rose, and Christopher Cox.

Here’s some additional information, courtesy of Am Law:

“Alli is among the most accomplished and sought-after trial lawyers in the country, and the arrival of this team will build on the significant growth and success of Kirkland’s litigation department in recent years,” said Jon Ballis, the firm’s chair, in a Tuesday statement, adding that Brown is among the “world’s best litigators” and that the firm is “excited to work alongside her as we embark on this new chapter for Kirkland in Philadelphia.”

In her own statement, Brown said, “This is an exciting time to join Kirkland, which has an incredibly impressive litigation practice with a deep bench of the most talented lawyers practicing today.”

Skadden wished the departing attorneys well, thanking them for their contributions, noting that their exits would take place “later this year.” At this time, their official start date at Kirkland is unknown.

Kirkland Enters Philadelphia, Luring Skadden Mass Torts Team [American Lawyer]

Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.