The Six-Minute Brief: US

lateral hireOct 19 · Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland lands Susman Godfrey trial lawyer Alex Kaplan for its Texas litigation push

On October 19, Kirkland announced that Alex Kaplan, who spent more than 20 years at Susman Godfrey and was the youngest partner elected to its executive committee, is joining Kirkland's Litigation Practice Group as a partner. Kirkland says he has recovered more than $1.5 billion in settlements or judgments for plaintiff-side clients and frames the hire as strengthening its Texas capabilities. Bloomberg Law's report places him in Houston.

why it matters

Kirkland's release credits Kaplan's "creative fee structures" alongside his trial record, a sign that alternative fee capability is now something firms market in lateral announcements, not just pitch rooms.

sources Kirkland & Ellis Welcomes Leading Commercial Litigator Alex Kaplan Kirkland Poaches Veteran Susman Trial Lawyer Kaplan in Houston (Bloomberg Law)

lateral hireOct 19 · Sidley Austin

Sidley hires a CLO partner and his team into Charlotte

On October 19, Sidley announced that structured finance partner Glenn Kunkes has joined its Global Finance practice in Charlotte from Mayer Brown, bringing associates Carli Berasi, Jake Blakeslee and Mariah Stephens. His practice covers CLOs, asset-based lending and securitizations. Bloomberg Law notes Sidley does not have an office in Charlotte, though it already has several attorneys there.

why it matters

Hiring a partner-plus-team into a city without an office is a low-cost way to test a market; watch whether Sidley's site and recruiting pages start treating Charlotte as a location.

sources Sidley Continues Expanding Global Finance Capabilities With Partner Glenn Kunkes Sidley Lands Mayer Brown Partner Kunkes to Grow Finance Group (Bloomberg Law)

practice launchOct 22 · Goodwin

Goodwin turns AI governance into a three-part program ending in a subscription

On October 22, Goodwin launched Goodwin AI Governance, a program with three parts: a free Health Check with a Goodwin lawyer, Readiness governance materials offered as individual modules or a full suite, and an AI Decision Desk annual subscription that answers legal questions and monitors AI regulation and enforcement. It also offers tailored applications for boards and for private equity sponsors' portfolios. The launch cites Deloitte figures that 74% of organizations plan to deploy AI agents within two years but only 21% have a mature governance model.

why it matters

A free diagnostic feeding a paid subscription is a classic product funnel; competitors selling AI advice by the hour now face a rival with a named, packaged offer and an easy front door.

sources Goodwin Launches AI Governance Program Goodwin Launches AI Governance Program (Law360 Pulse)

new officeOct 19 · Simpson Thacher

Simpson Thacher signs for nearly 94,000 square feet in Fulton Market

The Real Deal reported on October 19 that Simpson Thacher has leased almost 94,000 square feet across two floors at 167 North Green Street in Chicago's Fulton Market, with room for more than 200 attorneys. The Real Deal says the firm entered Chicago with five partners recruited from Kirkland; the firm's own Chicago office page now lists 167 North Green Street, Suite 1500.

why it matters

Space for 200-plus lawyers against a five-partner entry tells Chicago competitors and recruits how big Simpson intends to get; a sustained lateral campaign there would be the logical next step.

sources Simpson Thacher Chicago office page Simpson Thacher takes 94K sf in Fulton Market lease (The Real Deal)

dealOct 19 · Sidley Austin

Sidley advises the Silgan–AIP partnership on Trivium, creating a US$7.3 billion packaging business

On October 19, Sidley announced it is representing Silgan Holdings and American Industrial Partners on AIP’s roughly US$3.4 billion cash acquisition of Trivium Packaging, which Silgan will then combine with its own metal business to form Silgan Metal Containers and Closures, a combined business valued at about US$7.3 billion. Silgan keeps a 60% stake and AIP takes 40%, investing about US$1.0 billion in equity. Closing is expected in mid-2027; the Sidley team is led by Justin Macke, MK Han and Adrian Zhang.

why it matters

Sidley named its three deal leads in the announcement, putting partner names, not just the firm, on a headline deal — a habit worth copying for partners you are trying to build in the market.

source Sidley Represents Silgan and AIP to Create Diversified Global Metal Packaging Business

ranking / awardOct 20 · Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin

D.C. Legal Awards: Kirkland and Sidley both cash in

At the National Law Journal's 2026 D.C. Legal Awards on October 20, Kirkland was named Crisis Management and Government Oversight Firm of the Year and Sidley's D.C. managing partner Kristin Graham Koehler was named Managing Partner of the Year. Kirkland posted its announcement on October 21 and Sidley on October 22.

why it matters

Both firms turned a single awards night into owned content within days; if your firm was shortlisted anywhere this season, the post should be ready before the ceremony.

sources Kirkland Honored as Crisis Management and Government Oversight Firm of the Year at D.C. Legal Awards Kristin Graham Koehler Wins Managing Partner of the Year at 2026 D.C. Legal Awards

Kirkland lands a Susman Godfrey trial lawyer.

Kirkland lands Susman Godfrey trial lawyer Alex Kaplan for its Texas litigation push

Sidley hires a CLO partner and his team into Charlotte

Goodwin turns AI governance into a three-part program ending in a subscription

Simpson Thacher signs for nearly 94,000 square feet in Fulton Market

Sidley advises the Silgan–AIP partnership on Trivium, creating a US$7.3 billion packaging business

D.C. Legal Awards: Kirkland and Sidley both cash in

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