Carter Emerson practiced corporate law with the international firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP for over 30 years in mergers, public and private offerings and other financings, and securities and corporate governance advice. He joined Kirkland & Ellis in 1974, served on its management committee for 16 years and was a partner until 2007. Described as a "constructive deal doer" and a practitioner with "the best combination of public and private expertise," Carter is listed as one of the top lawyers in Corporate/M&A by Chambers Global. He was named in Who's Who Legal and The Best Lawyers in America as an outstanding practitioner in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and securities laws matters.