Kirkland & Ellis vs Morgan & Morgan

An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top bankruptcy lawyers picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.

Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis

Ranked #6 of 15 in this directory

World's largest law firm by revenue with a powerhouse bankruptcy and restructuring practice

Paid
Morgan & Morgan

Morgan & Morgan

Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory

America's largest personal injury firm with a dedicated bankruptcy practice serving clients nationwide

Free

Our pick: Morgan & Morgan. Our editors rank Morgan & Morgan higher overall in Bankruptcy Lawyers — but Kirkland & Ellis can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review

Compare the details

Kirkland & EllisMorgan & Morgan
Pricing modelPaidFree
Starting priceSee websiteFree
CategoryChapter 11 BusinessChapter 7
Editorial rank#6 of 15#2 of 15

Strengths

Kirkland & Ellis

  • Largest law firm in the world by revenue with unmatched restructuring resources
  • Represents both debtors and creditors — deep understanding of all stakeholder positions
  • Integrated with elite private equity and M&A practices for distressed transactions
  • Hundreds of major Chapter 11 cases across every industry sector
  • Consistently top-ranked by Chambers, U.S. News, and The Legal 500

Morgan & Morgan

  • Largest injury firm in the U.S. with significant bankruptcy division resources
  • Offices in all 50 states — local representation with national backing
  • Free initial consultation with no obligation to proceed
  • Handles both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for individuals
  • Massive legal team means quick responsiveness and case coverage

Watch out for

Kirkland & Ellis

  • !Premium hourly rates exceeding $1,500 for senior partners
  • !Primarily serves large corporate clients — not available for consumer bankruptcy
  • !Potential conflicts given massive corporate client base
  • !Retainer requirements typically start in the hundreds of thousands

Morgan & Morgan

  • !Primarily known for personal injury — bankruptcy is not the firm's core specialty
  • !High case volume across all practice areas may affect individual attention
  • !Fee structures vary by location and case complexity
  • !Complex business bankruptcy cases may be better served by boutique firms

Best use cases

Kirkland & Ellis

  • Mid-market company pursuing a prepackaged Chapter 11 to restructure $500M+ in debt
  • Creditor committee seeking experienced representation in a major corporate bankruptcy
  • Energy company needing restructuring counsel with deep industry-specific bankruptcy experience

Morgan & Morgan

  • Individual facing wage garnishment who wants a large, well-resourced firm to handle their Chapter 7 filing
  • Family considering bankruptcy who wants an in-person consultation at a local office
  • Person unsure whether to file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 who needs an attorney to analyze their complete financial picture

About each tool

Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis is the highest-grossing law firm in the world and a dominant force in corporate bankruptcy and restructuring. The firm's Restructuring Group represents debtors, creditors, acquirers, and other stakeholders in Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court workouts, and distressed transactions. Kirkland has served as lead counsel in hundreds of major Chapter 11 cases across industries including energy, retail, healthcare, and technology. The firm's deep integration with its world-class private equity, M&A, and litigation practices gives bankruptcy clients access to a full spectrum of legal services during complex reorganizations.

Morgan & Morgan

Morgan & Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the United States, with over 1,000 attorneys and offices in all 50 states. The firm's bankruptcy division handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings for individuals and families facing overwhelming debt. Morgan & Morgan's bankruptcy attorneys provide free consultations to evaluate each client's financial situation and recommend the best path forward, whether that's filing for bankruptcy or exploring alternatives like debt negotiation. The firm's size and resources allow it to handle high volumes of cases efficiently while maintaining personalized attention through local offices.

Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.

See all Bankruptcy Lawyers