News & Insights
Leaving Big Law: Attorneys Finding Opportunity with Tighter Focus
April 13, 2026
Barton LLP’s successes include a precedent-setting reversal won last month in the Ninth Circuit, defending software company Modernizing Medicine in an employment discrimination dispute.
Trio of Kirkland Partners Exits to Launch Litigation Boutique
March 3, 2026
While many of the biggest firms are growing their bench strength in high-stakes disputes and class actions, a trio of former Kirkland litigation partners is betting there’s room for a smaller approach to big litigation.
Ex-Kirkland partners Kent Hayden, Brendan Ryan and Zachary Ciullo this week launched Hayden Ryan & Ciullo in Chicago, calling it a bid to deliver years of strategic counsel experience, developed at the largest firm in the world, “through a more focused and efficient platform.”
Three Kirkland Litigators Launch Litigation Boutique
March 1, 2026
Chicago, Illinois – Kent Hayden, Brendan Ryan, and Zac Ciullo have launched Hayden Ryan & Ciullo LLP, a boutique litigation firm focused on high-stakes commercial disputes. Prior to founding the firm, all three partners practiced for years at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Collectively, Hayden, Ryan, and Ciullo bring over 30 years of experience handling complex commercial litigation across a wide range of industries and jurisdictions. Their work has included bet-the-company disputes, high-stakes class-action and multi-district litigation, and matters on behalf of Fortune 500 companies and private equity clients.
Trio of Kirkland Partners Exits to Launch Litigation Boutique
While many of the biggest firms are growing their bench strength in high-stakes disputes and class actions, a trio of former Kirkland litigation partners is
Three Kirkland Litigators Launch Litigation Boutique
Chicago, Illinois – Kent Hayden, Brendan Ryan, and Zac Ciullo have launched Hayden Ryan & Ciullo LLP, a boutique litigation firm focused on high-stakes commercial
Trio of Kirkland Partners Exits to Launch Litigation Boutique
While many of the biggest firms are growing their bench strength in high-stakes disputes and class actions, a trio of former Kirkland litigation partners is betting there’s room for a smaller approach to big litigation.
Ex-Kirkland partners Kent Hayden, Brendan Ryan and Zachary Ciullo this week launched Hayden Ryan & Ciullo in Chicago, calling it a bid to deliver years of strategic counsel experience, developed at the largest firm in the world, “through a more focused and efficient platform.”
Three Kirkland Litigators Launch Litigation Boutique
Chicago, Illinois – Kent Hayden, Brendan Ryan, and Zac Ciullo have launched Hayden Ryan & Ciullo LLP, a boutique litigation firm focused on high-stakes commercial disputes. Prior to founding the firm, all three partners practiced for years at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
