Kirkland & Ellis had a banner year in 2016, scoring a collection of major wins in high-impact cases. From defending the rights of minority voters in North Carolina to representing auto giant General Motors in some unlikely wins, careful, extensive discovery and innovative trial strategies drove this firm's 2016 successes.

Midyear, Kirkland also boosted its D.C. appellate practice with the acquisition of the boutique firm Bancroft. With Bancroft came former Solicitor General Paul Clement, a living legal legend, who began his career at Kirkland as an associate. The firm also gained former Assistant Attorney General Viet Dinh, who founded Bancroft, and 17 other lawyers.

Early in the year, partners Mike Brock, Richard Godfrey and their team pulled off some unlikely wins in multidistrict litigation over ignition switches on behalf of longtime client GM.