How much new is there to say now that one of Kirkland & Ellis’ high profile City M&A recruits, Raymond McKeeve, has announced his not-at-all shock resignation from the firm? After all, many of the same issues that were relevant in McKeeve’s transfer two years ago with Graham White from Linklaters still seem relevant today.
The duo had plenty of admirers but smoothly integrating into new firms does not appear to be one of their strengths, even within the more individualistic partnership culture and meritocracy of Kirkland. The firm is quick to support McKeeve’s performance and it is clear that he and White did bring some clients with them. They were also probably a little unlucky in terms of activity levels from key clients like CVC and Robert Tchenguiz, neither of whom have been out in the market much in the last 18 months.
