Overview

Kevin Neylan is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s New York office. He has a broad trial and appellate practice with a particular focus on antitrust, securities and general commercial disputes. Kevin has been a leading member of numerous trial teams, and has significant experience examining and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses, taking and defending depositions and arguing high-stakes motions at critical junctures including at the motion to dismiss, summary judgment and class certification stages. Kevin also has substantial appellate experience, having been the lead drafter of numerous briefs at the U.S. Supreme Court (on the merits and at the certiorari stage), the Delaware Supreme Court and many of the circuit courts of appeals. His pro bono work has focused on issues related to school choice and religious liberty. His clients have included Teva Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceuticals, 3G Capital, GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences, Occidental Petroleum, CrowdStrike, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Success Academy.

Before joining the Firm, Kevin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Samuel A. Alito, Jr., of the Supreme Court of the United States, and to the Honorable Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Kevin has been recognized by Best Lawyers as “One to Watch,” and by Lawdragon as one of the “500 X – The Next Generation,” which spotlights “the future leaders of law.”

More

Thought Leadership

Publications

Note, “Bundled Systems and Better Law: Against the Leflar Method of Resolving Conflicts of Law,” Harvard Law Review, vol. 129, 2015

Recent Case, “Spencer v. Unites States, 773 F.3d 1132 (11th Cir. 2014) (en banc),” Harvard Law Review, vol. 128, 2015

Recent Case, “Sun Capital Partners III, LP v. New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund, 724 F.3d 129 (1st Cir. 2013),” Harvard Law Review, vol. 127, 2014

Recognition

Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Appellate Practice, 2023–2025

Recognized by Lawdragon as one of the “500 X – The Next Generation,” 2024

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2016New York
  • 2018District of Columbia

Courts

  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Education

  • Harvard Law SchoolJ.D.magna cum laude2015

    Notes Editor, Harvard Law Review

    Ames Moot Court Competition, Best Overall Team & Best Oralist

    Project on the Foundations of Private Law Prize

  • Harvard CollegeA.B., Social Studiessumma cum laude2012

    Hoopes Prize

    Phi Beta Kappa

    Writer and Editor, Harvard Lampoon