* I was wondering where she was going to land. From a press release…
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is pleased to announce that former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has joined the Firm’s Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices as a litigation partner.
“Lisa brings a wealth of experience on many of the crucial issues our clients face daily,” said Jeffrey C. Hammes, Chairman of Kirkland’s Global Management Executive Committee. “She has been a leader in the legal community, both locally and nationally, and her top-level advocacy and stellar legal skills will be an asset to our Firm and our clients. We are excited that she is joining Kirkland.”
Ms. Madigan draws on more than 25 years of experience at the highest levels of complex civil litigation and government service. She served as Illinois Attorney General for 16 years, the longest serving Attorney General in Illinois and the longest serving female Attorney General in the country. In this position, she led an office of 750 people responsible for developing legal strategies to represent the state and its citizens. She oversaw three main offices and six regional offices and collected over $14 billion for the state. […]
Ms. Madigan will draw on her experience to handle high-level litigation, government and internal investigations, and crisis management work for Kirkland’s clients. She has particular experience in such areas as consumer protection, data and privacy issues, health care, the environment, and sexual assault and harassment.
“Throughout my life, I have been passionate about the law and driven to find solutions to complicated legal matters,” Ms. Madigan said. “I am thrilled to continue practicing law at Kirkland, a firm of great lawyers who are successful in helping clients both proactively and reactively. Important to my work will be pro bono service that aligns with my belief that everyone should have an advocate to fight for them.”
- NotRich - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:31 am:
$$$$$$$$$$.. A nice place to land..
- Bertrum Cates - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:42 am:
And still with $2.1 million in the bank.
I genuinely like General Madigan, and I wish her fulfillment and happiness in this new role. Thank you for your service.
- Smitty Irving - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:50 am:
Cue Kass / conspiracy comments in 3 … 2 … 1 …
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:52 am:
It’s hard for me to put my dislike of the Madigans aside and look at this objectively - I definitely DON’T think there’s any conspiracy here. Still, this saddens me. Kirkland is like the law firm for “the 1% of the 1%” - the former consumer activist will now “draw on her experience” to help such clients defend against “government investigations,” diffuse crises, etc. And it’s not like there aren’t other options (imagine her joining a consumer class action firm).
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 11:55 am:
I honestly don’t get it. She seemed pretty believable as AG, but selling out makes me wonder where her heart really was all those years.
- Quasar - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:00 pm:
If having Madigan as a last name hadn’t already killed any future run for higher/different office working for the likes of GM and some of the biggest institutions on Wall Street will.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:03 pm:
I wish Durbin would retire and she would run for senate. Her life her career. She is an attorney go wherever she wants. I don’t consider it a sell out. And yes Kirkland certainly is the one percent.
- DIstant watcher - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:04 pm:
Wow. Haters gonna hate, and with nothing to go on but the name of her firm.
Howzabout we wait to see what she does there? Sheesh.
- CC - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:08 pm:
It seems like aot of the elitist Democrats who have had unions worker, work hard on their campaigns their whole political careers to make sure they get elected; then leave to work for the 1% law firm’s or go buy big mansions or even start foundations that hurt the everyday working person .
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:09 pm:
Nice to see a Madigan finally catch a break.
– MrJM
- levivotedforjudy - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:12 pm:
When she decided to not run for AG again, I wondered if she was just done with being an elected official. She has served as a teacher, legislator, AG and I think she even did some time in the Peace Corps. She’s never made those BIG bucks to secure her family (college should be coming up for her kids). If this is the move, good for her. She has served the public more than enough.
- Just Another Anon - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:15 pm:
Odd choice, I’d figure she’d go to their lobbying wing. Strange since she went into office with very very little litigation experience and got even less litigation experience while AG.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:15 pm:
Good for her.
- Can't beat those savings - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:15 pm:
Kirkland? I’ve seen them around. The one problem is that they only contract lawyers out in 6 packs.
- Hippopotamus - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:21 pm:
Litigation Partner? - Has she ever tried a case?
- Nagidam - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:22 pm:
===”Important to my work will be pro bono service that aligns with my belief that everyone should have an advocate to fight for them.”===
Sounds like they will let her do advocacy work. Heck that will help the Firm’s image.
- sad - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:39 pm:
Money Motivates Madigans
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:44 pm:
I’m showing my age here, but I wonder how many of those complaining about her joining this firm had no issue with JUMBO joining Winston and Strawn?
- Hard Hat - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:45 pm:
Must be nice to get paid to sit in a conference room and ponder which legal strategies will make the richest even richer
- Name Withheld - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:57 pm:
“Money Motivates Madigans”
Yes, because a life of public service should be its own reward, right? Just like teachers and public sector workers and DCFS case workers.
If you want to criticize the former AG for her positions or legal stances - have at it. There’s plenty there where reasonable people can disagree. But if you’re playing holier-than-thou because she joined a private law firm with a compensation package any male partner equivalent in her stature would receive, then have a coke and a smile on your way out the door.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 12:57 pm:
Good for her.
If that is what she wants to do, more power to her.
At least it isn’t property tax appeals.
- MOON - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:02 pm:
She actually argued a case before the US Supreme Court and won
- Vote Quimby - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:05 pm:
Good for her. I wish her all the best.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:08 pm:
Congratulations to Lisa Madigan.
All the best.
Be happy. Be happy for you, your family, and follow your passions while challenging yourself.
It’s a big world outside the daily grind of politics. Enjoy that.
Be well.
- Justsayin - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:08 pm:
It’s funny how people are quick to judge a woman taking a position that makes money. I bet she is totally taking the criticism to heart as she rolls around in all that cash. /s Get. Over. Yourselves. Full stop. Do you, Lisa! Thank you for your service.
- Frank talks - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:18 pm:
Anyone who thinks she can’t go back to public service after being a corporate attorney must have just missed the Chicago mayor’s race.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:20 pm:
I never knew the Combine included K&E. I feel like a real chumbalone.
- A guy - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 1:47 pm:
Contain the excitement please. Did anyone expect her to hang a neighborhood shingle and do wills and house closings? She was bound to land at a blue chip firm and she did. I’d be surprised if a number of them weren’t trying to get her to join.
She ran, she won, she governed, she left public service. After a long time. Her private life now is her business. Good luck Lisa.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 2:19 pm:
I can’t believe she turned down the offer from Glen Lerner.
- Tommydanger - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 3:28 pm:
Good for Lisa.
I wonder how many of those commenters criticizing her for not taking the path less traveled and voluntarily taking some form of professional poverty oath had the actual choice to take the job with the money and instead chose the help your fellow man job and its corresponding pay.
If you have and you chose the ‘help your fellow man’ job, good for you. I’m certain your work is its own reward. I would find it harder to believe though that you would then criticize her for her making her own decision to the contrary.
- ETown60120 - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 3:59 pm:
1% status
- Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 11, 19 @ 4:42 pm:
@Give me a Break….kudos. great comment.
- anon - Thursday, Sep 12, 19 @ 9:06 am:
For those questioning her choice to join a top national law firm, (a) it’s none of your business, (b) while a litigation partner, she will likely advise clients in tricky legal situations with governmental authorities (both litigation and compliance) rather than appear heavily in court, (c) she’s more than capable to be the lead attorney on cases if she so chooses, and (d) there was no way she would join a lobbyist firm (especially if she thinks she might reenter politics at some point).