Kirkland’s support for youth development

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Kirkland & Ellis embraces the varied perspectives and backgrounds of our attorneys and staff, encouraging each of them to bring their whole self to work. We believe our Firm thrives when we leverage the diverse ideas, skills and experiences of our personnel.

We also believe that this kind of professional diversity is only possible when people feel empowered from an early age. For more than a decade, Kirkland has partnered with Youth INC and helped support the organization in its mission of nurturing talented young people in New York City and ensuring they have equal opportunities to succeed.

Kirkland has proudly sponsored Youth INC’s annual Celebration Gala since 2019, including the 28th annual event, which took place this year on Wednesday, November 16. The event raised more than $4 million in funding for Youth INC’s partners to provide the tools and resources needed to assist more than 250,000 New York City youth in reaching their potential. This year’s gala also honored David Mussafer, chairman and managing partner at Advent International, one of the world’s leading private equity firms and a Kirkland client. Mussafer received the John C. Whitehead Leadership Award in recognition of his distinguished leadership and commitment to building a brighter future for the next generation.

“The Celebration Gala is a wonderful reminder of the good we can do for future generations when we come together,” said Kirkland partner Will Boothby, who served as a vice-chair of the gala. “We are proud to link arms with our trusted client Advent, as well as other supporters, to ensure the continued success of the many incredible nonprofits Youth INC supports.”

In addition to the gala, Kirkland provides financial support to Youth INC through our DEI department. And since 2011, Kirkland has collaborated with the organization on a pro bono basis, providing counsel on a number of matters that ensure the organization runs smoothly and has the largest reach possible. Attorneys and staff from across Kirkland offices have devoted more than a thousand hours to nearly 100 matters on behalf of Youth INC, including contract review, governance and advice, and real estate matters.

“It’s a privilege to be able to provide pro bono legal counsel to Youth INC,” said Kirkland partner Leo Greenberg, who has supervised the majority of pro bono matters for the organization. “We believe in this mission and are happy to support it through a variety of means.”