Trending Topic: Hybrid Work Policies Reshape Big Law’s London Operations
London, UK – August 22, 2025 – Kirkland & Ellis, the world’s highest-grossing law firm, has introduced a four-day in-office workweek for its London office starting in September 2025, aligning with a growing trend among U.S. law firms in the UK to balance flexibility with collaboration. The policy, announced on August 21, 2025, as reported by Law.com and LawFuel, requires all lawyers and staff to be in the office four days a week, with the fifth day typically reserved for remote work. This move coincides with the firm’s relocation to a new, state-of-the-art office at 40 Leadenhall Street, dubbed ‘Gotham City,’ and reflects broader shifts in Big Law’s approach to hybrid work post-pandemic.
Details of the Policy
The new policy mandates that Kirkland & Ellis’s London workforce, comprising over 500 lawyers, attend the office from Tuesday to Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. This adjustment marks a significant shift for a firm known for its demanding work culture, where trainees and junior lawyers reportedly average 13 hours and 3 minutes per weekday, totaling over 65 hours weekly, according to a Legal Cheek survey from late 2024. Despite the long hours, the four-day office requirement is not a reduction in workload but rather a hybrid model, with remote work expected to involve similar intensity, as noted in LawFuel’s August 21, 2025, report: “It’s likely four-days-in-office, still arriving at midnight Wednesday.”
The policy aligns with Kirkland’s relocation from the iconic Gherkin to 40 Leadenhall Street, where the firm occupies over 400,000 square feet across floors 15 to 34. The new office, designed with sustainability in mind and featuring amenities like a sauna and an 8,000-book library, aims to foster collaboration while accommodating hybrid work preferences. Training principal Rajinder Bassi emphasized the benefits of in-office presence for trainees, stating, “It would probably be of great benefit to be in the office more often, as you learn a lot from observing others practising law.”
Context and Industry Trends
Kirkland & Ellis, with global revenues of $8.8 billion and profit per equity partner of $9.25 million in 2024, joins other U.S. firms like Latham & Watkins and Skadden in adopting flexible work policies in London to attract and retain talent. The move follows a broader trend among Magic Circle firms, such as Clifford Chance, which implemented a “Connected Working” policy in 2024 allowing up to 50% remote work. However, Kirkland’s policy is stricter, reflecting its high-performance culture, where billable hours often exceed 2,000 annually, and junior lawyers face intense workloads, as noted in Legal Cheek’s 2025-26 Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey.
The shift responds to evolving expectations among younger lawyers, with some trainees at Kirkland appreciating the flexibility of two remote days, though others note that the firm’s fast-paced private equity work often demands late-night finishes. A 2025 Chambers Student Guide quoted a trainee saying, “When you are working late, there’s a sense of team spirit,” but acknowledged the unpredictability of hours, with some days ending at 5 PM and others at 2 AM.
Implications and Sentiment
The four-day office week is seen as a strategic compromise to maintain Kirkland’s competitive edge while addressing work-life balance concerns. The firm’s generous compensation—newly qualified solicitors earn $225,000 annually—and perks like free meals and a 24-hour concierge service help offset the demanding hours. However, the policy has sparked mixed reactions. Posts on X highlight skepticism, with users questioning whether the hybrid model truly reduces workload, while others view it as a progressive step for a firm known for its “fiercely competitive meritocracy.”
As Kirkland & Ellis navigates this transition, the policy underscores Big Law’s adaptation to hybrid work trends while maintaining its focus on high-stakes M&A and private equity deals. The move to 40 Leadenhall and the new work model position the firm to remain a leader in London’s legal market, balancing client demands with employee expectations in a post-pandemic era.
Sources: Law.com, LawFuel.com, LegalCheek.com, ChambersStudent.co.uk, Kirkland.com