Kirkland & Ellis has announced the opening of a new office in Nashville, Tennessee, marking a significant expansion of its litigation practice. The office will launch with four litigation partners: Tara Blake, Matt Smith, Paul Rosenblatt, and Travis Swearingen. The firm plans to further grow its presence in the region, focusing on complex commercial disputes, class actions, product liability, and mass tort matters. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/kirkland-launches-nashville-office-focused-on-litigation-growth?utm_source=openai))
Andrew Kassof, a litigation partner and member of Kirkland’s executive committee, stated, “Our launch in Nashville is part of our aggressive nationwide growth strategy in litigation, which we intend to continue in 2026.” He emphasized that the firm’s litigation department is at its strongest, and the addition of talented litigators in Nashville will enhance the team’s capabilities. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/kirkland-launches-nashville-office-focused-on-litigation-growth?utm_source=openai))
This move aligns with Kirkland’s broader strategy of expanding into emerging legal markets to attract top talent and better serve national clients. In recent years, the firm has established offices in Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, Miami, and Austin, Texas. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/kirkland-launches-nashville-office-focused-on-litigation-growth?utm_source=openai))
Nashville has become an attractive destination for law firms due to its robust economic growth and thriving industries, particularly in healthcare and manufacturing. Several prominent firms have recently established or expanded their presence in the city:
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In June 2025, Foley & Lardner LLP opened a Nashville office, adding three corporate partners to support its Health Care & Life Sciences and Manufacturing sectors. ([foley.com](https://www.foley.com/news/2025/06/foley-opens-nashville-office-addition-three-corporate-partners/?utm_source=openai))
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Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP significantly bolstered its litigation capabilities in August 2025 by adding 20 attorneys, including 15 partners, to its Nashville office. ([womblebonddickinson.com](https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/insights/press-release/womble-establishes-major-litigation-presence-nashville-addition-20-attorneys?utm_source=openai))
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Husch Blackwell announced plans to open a Nashville office in the third quarter of 2025, following the recruitment of eight attorneys across multiple practice areas since May 2023. ([huschblackwell.com](https://www.huschblackwell.com/inthenews/husch-blackwell-to-open-nashville-office?utm_source=openai))
These developments underscore Nashville’s growing prominence as a legal hub, attracting firms seeking to tap into the city’s dynamic market and talent pool. Kirkland & Ellis’s entry into Nashville reflects this trend, positioning the firm to better serve clients in the Southeast and beyond. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/kirkland-launches-nashville-office-focused-on-litigation-growth?utm_source=openai))