Kirkland & Ellis Is to Represent BP in Big-Ticket Oil Spill Litigation
A new matter for Kirkland & Ellis is likely to brighten the economic outlook for the well-known Chicago-based corporate law firm.
It will be representing longtime client BP concerning the massive undersea Gulf of Mexico oil spill that has been gushing since April 20 from an uncapped well after a fatal rig explosion and fire, the Chicago Tribune reports.
At least 88 lawsuits have been filed so far against BP and other defendants concerning the accident, many of them seeking class action status, reports the Associated Press.
It isn’t yet clear where the cases, at least many of which are likely to be consolidated, will be tried, or whether law firms other than Kirkland will play a leading role in defending the litigation.
The law firm declined to comment when contacted by the newspaper.
