Did Kirkland partner write 'This isn’t a gravy train' email? Only part of it 'sounds genuine,' he says
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A Kirkland & Ellis partner in Houston appeared to be in a huff in an email chastising associates who are “hiding” from work.
Law.com and Above the Law received copies of the email.
It reads: “Just hung up with some of the restructuring SPs [senior partners]. There are some huge cases coming in and they have no staffing. Thanks to everyone for stepping up so far on cases.
“For those that aren’t fully occupied right now, and are not on a single restructuring matter because they have been hiding, let me spell out reality for you real quick. I am seeing a ton of money being left on the table on the matters coming in and I have seen all of your hours today (from most junior associate through SP). Am pretty shocked and the math is not going to work out well for you at the end of the year.
“[Names redacted] will continue to staff folks below SP over the coming days/weeks, I will be calling SPs personally. Given the market you should feel extremely lucky to be in an institution with too much work. That doesn’t mean you have an annuity here. If you get a call or don’t have enough to do, I suggest you grab a restructuring assignment ASAP and roll up your sleeves. If it was me in 2008 I would be pre-emptively calling [names redacted] after you read through the end of this note. This isn’t a gravy train where you can just chill and be along for the ride.”
The email was supposedly written by Kirkland & Ellis partner Andy Calder. So did he write it? Calder initially told Law.com that he won’t comment on internal matters.
Then he went on to say this: “Some of that sounds genuine; some not. It seems embellished. I think someone is playing you guys.”
Kirkland & Ellis did not respond to a request for comment by Law.com or the ABA Journal.
