A second former managing partner leaves Irell & Manella as firm shrinks
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Irell & Manella has lost two former managing partners in two months.
The latest ex-leader to leave is intellectual property partner Ellisen Turner, who is joining Kirkland & Ellis, the Recorder reports. A Kirkland & Ellis press release is here.
Turner had led Irell & Manella for about a year. He left that role and was replaced in January by intellectual property litigator David Gindler, who left the firm in August to move to Milbank.
Turner and Gindler are among eight partners who have left Irell for large international law firms in the last two months, according to the Recorder.
Turner told the Recorder that Irell’s platform is “just fantastic,” but at Kirkland he will have international expertise “under one roof.”
Irell had 187 lawyers five years ago, according to the Recorder. The law firm’s website currently lists 87 lawyers, including 14 with the title partner emeritus.
Irell partner Ben Hattenbach, a member of the law firm’s management committee, told the Recorder in a statement that Irell’s partners are often sought out for “prime opportunities” elsewhere.
“Irell offers a very different model and platform than these global firms, remaining well-positioned to handle the most complex matters while staying small enough to be nimble and provide focused value to our clients with excellence at every level,” Hattenbach said.
The firm continues to have “a highly profitable and productive year,” he said.
