K&L Gates

K&L Gates
Name	K&L Gates
Headquarters	United States
Founded	2007 (merger)
Num offices	45+
Num attorneys	2000+
Key people	James M. Segerdahl; Michael C. Lang
Practice areas	Corporate; Litigation; Intellectual Property; Energy; Real Estate

K&L Gates is a multinational law firm formed by a merger in 2007 that created a global legal platform combining legacy firms from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The firm advises public companies, private equity firms, financial institutions, and government-linked entities on cross-border transactions, regulatory matters, and complex litigation. K&L Gates operates across major financial centers and participates in international arbitration, securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property disputes.

History

The firm traces roots to predecessor practices such as Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, Preston Gates & Ellis, Kirkpatrick, Lockhart & Preston, and regional offices connected to firms in Pittsburgh, Seattle, and London. The 2007 merger created a transatlantic and transpacific presence comparable to combinations like Baker McKenzie and DLA Piper, reflecting trends established by earlier consolidations such as the formation of Mayer Brown and Clifford Chance. Its expansion in the 2010s included lateral hires from firms like Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Latham & Watkins, and strategic openings in markets influenced by the regulatory regimes of Securities and Exchange Commission and trade frameworks like World Trade Organization agreements. The firm has navigated litigation involving statutes such as the Sarbanes–Oxley Act and disputes implicating tribunals like the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration.

Practice areas and services

K&L Gates maintains practice groups in corporate transactions involving Securities Act of 1933 registrations, private equity deals with participants such as Blackstone, cross-border mergers engaging European Commission merger control, and energy projects tied to organizations like International Energy Agency. Its litigation team handles matters in federal venues including United States Supreme Court appeals, class actions referencing decisions from the Third Circuit and Ninth Circuit, and patent disputes governed by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The intellectual property group manages portfolios involving standards set by World Intellectual Property Organization and litigates before bodies such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Other services include labor and employment counseling on laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act, environmental permitting tied to Environmental Protection Agency regulations, tax counseling referencing decisions from the Internal Revenue Service, and financial restructuring in bankruptcy cases under the United States Bankruptcy Code.

Organization and governance

The firm is organized as a limited liability partnership with a leadership structure that includes a global managing partner and an executive committee modeled on governance practices from firms such as Dentons and White & Case. Compensation and partner admissions mirror metrics used by firms like Cravath, Swaine & Moore and Sidley Austin, while risk management incorporates guidance from professional bodies such as the American Bar Association and compliance frameworks related to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement. Regional offices report into regional chairs who coordinate with practice group leaders responsible for sectors including technology, healthcare, and energy—sectors that interact with institutions like Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency.

Notable cases and clients

The firm has represented corporate clients in matters involving multinational corporations like General Electric, BP, and Microsoft, and has advised financial sponsors similar to KKR and Carlyle Group on acquisitions and divestitures. Litigation engagements have included securities class actions referencing precedents from the Supreme Court of the United States and complex arbitration matters administered by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and the London Court of International Arbitration. The firm’s regulatory practice has handled compliance reviews related to Federal Trade Commission investigations and cross-border antitrust inquiries with filings before the European Commission. In intellectual property, the firm has acted for technology-sector clients in disputes involving standards organizations such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standards and patent pools associated with International Organization for Standardization processes.

Offices and global presence

K&L Gates maintains offices across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, situated in cities including New York City, Washington, D.C., London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Brussels, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Shanghai, Melbourne, Dubai, and Toronto. The network supports cross-border work integrating local counsel in jurisdictions governed by bodies like the High Court of Justice in England and Wales, the Federal Court of Australia, and national courts influencing investment flows under treaties such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and its successor agreements.

Corporate culture and recognition

The firm has been profiled in rankings from publications like The American Lawyer, Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, and Vault for practices in corporate, litigation, and intellectual property. Corporate responsibility initiatives align with standards promulgated by United Nations Global Compact principles and pro bono efforts coordinated with organizations such as Legal Aid Society and Pro Bono Institute. Diversity and inclusion programs reference benchmarks used by groups like Human Rights Campaign and recognize industry awards including honors similar to those conferred by Chambers USA and Law360.

Category:Law firms