Jon Ballis is Chairman of the Executive Committee of Kirkland & Ellis, one of the world’s leading law firms with 6,500 professionals (including more than 3,000 attorneys) around the world committed to the highest quality legal advice and unparalleled client service.In his role, Jon is responsible for establishing and executing upon Kirkland’s strategic priorities, including advancing business initiatives and promoting a culture of performance, collaboration and collegiality. Commitment to these priorities has helped Kirkland deepen its practice area expertise, extend its worldwide reach and earn industry recognition for workplace culture, including placements on the prestigious Notable Diverse Leaders in Law, Notable Leaders in Sustainability, and Best Law Firms for Women lists. The American Lawyer has also named Kirkland to its A-List for 10 years running.Jon joined Kirkland in 2005 and served in a variety of leadership roles at the Firm before being named Chairman in 2020.
Over his 30-year career, he has been recognized as one of the leading private equity M&A attorneys in the United States and has represented many of the world’s leading private equity firms.Jon’s passion and commitment to excellence carries into his philanthropic activities and board positions. He is a member of Chicago’s Civic Committee, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Economic Club and Legal Aid Chicago's Justice Circle. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Vision for Tomorrow Foundation, an organization he co-founded in 2006 to focus on visual impairment in children.Jon has acted as a guest lecturer for classes and organizations at Harvard Law School, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and the University of Chicago Law School.
Jon Ballis is Chairman of the Executive Committee of Kirkland & Ellis, one of the world’s leading law firms with 6,500 professionals (including more than 3,000 attorneys) around the world committed to the highest quality legal advice and unparalleled client service. In his role, Jon is responsible for establishing and executing upon Kirkland’s strategic priorities, including advancing business initiatives and promoting a culture of performance, collaboration and collegiality. Commitment to these priorities has helped Kirkland deepen its practice area expertise, extend its worldwide reach and earn industry recognition for workplace culture, including placements on the prestigious Notable Diverse Leaders in Law, Notable Leaders in Sustainability, and Best Law Firms for Women lists.
The American Lawyer has also named Kirkland to its A-List for 10 years running. Jon joined Kirkland in 2005 and served in a variety of leadership roles at the Firm before being named Chairman in 2020. Over his 30-year career, he has been recognized as one of the leading private equity M&A attorneys in the United States and has represented many of the world’s leading private equity firms.
Jon’s passion and commitment to excellence carries into his philanthropic activities and board positions. He is a member of Chicago’s Civic Committee, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Economic Club and Legal Aid Chicago's Justice Circle. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Vision for Tomorrow Foundation, an organization he co-founded in 2006 to focus on visual impairment in children.
Jon has acted as a guest lecturer for classes and organizations at Harvard Law School, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and the University of Chicago Law School.
