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I’m not sure but as someone that Bass invited to callbacks my 2L and 3L years, made me interview with 10+ people each time and then no offered me each time, I’m excited for them to get swallowed up soon.
Subject Expert
Yeah Nashville isn’t (and probably won’t ever be) a “major” legal market, but it *is* a fast-growing regional hub, especially for stuff like healthcare and music IP/entertainment, though to a lesser extent. I don’t think Kirkland is moving in thinking it’s going to rate-compete with Bass.
This feels more like a talent/recruiting play and a way to service national clients with a Nashville footprint, rather than a primary bet on Nashville-rate work. I’d be surprised if they see this as direct competition with Bass at all (though I wouldn’t be totally shocked if they made a move to acquire Bass eventually lol)
Mentor
It’s just a location play like their Salt Lake office was. It’s likely that no meaningful work will be generated there due to their rates.
Subject Expert
Yeah, this is a questionable office choice. Austin and Miami made sense. So did SLC. Don’t really see what they’re doing with Nashville. 🤷🏼♂️
It’s entirely a talent play to work on national litigation and transactional matters. Rates are not an issue bc it’s national work staffed across offices and Kirkland charges the same rates no matter where their attorneys sit. Just like SLC. Kirkland looks to scoop up top talent, and here you have a great law school, really good lawyers in the market, and the ability to attract all with market comp +. Will grow quickly and the firm doesn’t care about local matters or industries or clients. They care about acquiring more talent.
Heard that Bass raised comp across all class levels and increased bonuses last week. Billable requirement stayed the same (1900 hours).
Subject Expert
Ok cool that’s basically in line with what I expected.
Coach
Definitely servicing national clients
Mentor
I’m familiar with the Nashville market, and it’s not only insurance and entertainment. Automotive is another big one, for instance, and startups are slowly but surely popping up. I think Kirkland is making a good bet. They may also have insider info about one or more major clients moving HQ there. Probably also a good move on the talent side given that Nashville is livable and state-income-tax free. Hopefully this pushes Bass and H&K to bump comp to market. Not sure if McDermott and Polsinelli pay market there (or, for that matter, if Polsinelli pays market anywhere).
Subject Expert
Yeah I do think Kirkland will pay market there, just wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for the regional/Nashville-native old timers to do the same haha
Thanks all. I’ve been considering a move back to the area but don’t want to work at a satellite that doesn’t even have local work. That seems like a terrible combination for partnership prospects.
Boston is ~10 years old and has a bunch of Boston clients whereas SLC is ~4 years old and was opened to attract talented attorneys, which is what drives the differences.
Coach
I'm an IP Litigator in Texas and got multiple outreaches today from a recruiter recruiting for Kirkland Nashville (claiming Cravath). Senior level.
Weird given how much IP lit is bleeding at KE right now
At least some (maybe all) of the Nashville partners were already living there so it gives them a formal office to be associated with. Also, no income tax in Tennessee. It’s a location play for talent.
FWIW - I think Nashville H&K is a better comparison point here than Bass. H&K is getting higher rates from even more local / regional clients than Bass and it is being reflected in pay (base + bonus structure).