Title: Partner
Company: Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Location: Corona, California, United States
Christopher C. Costello, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in litigation.
With two decades of experience to his credit, Mr. Costello has excelled as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP since 2021. In this position, he specializes in advising clients on information systems, data preservation, collection, review, and production for litigation purposes. His expertise further extends to electronic discovery, litigation, information governance, privacy, cross-border information transfers, and cybersecurity. Mr. Costello’s role as a trusted advisor at the aforementioned firm is exemplified by his ability to serve as a liaison between his clients’ information technology (IT) and legal departments and effectively communicate with opposing parties and the judiciary.
Throughout his career, Mr. Costello has been widely recognized for overseeing complex building projects and empowering clients to operate independently. Prior to his present post at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, he found much success as a senior eDiscovery attorney at Winston & Strawn LLP from 2008 to 2021. During this time, he honed his skills in e-discovery and integrated legal strategies in litigation; his collaboration with John Rosenthal notably enriched his understanding of these areas. Mr. Costello previously served as an associate at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP from 2004 to 2008, a brief but important tenure as he was able to learn firsthand from experienced mentors like Peter Fleming, whose unconventional yet respected approach left a lasting impression.
To support his professional ambitions, Mr. Costello initially pursued a formal education at Saint John’s University, from which he earned a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, in 1995. He continued his academic efforts with a Master of Arts in international affairs at American University in 1998. He ultimately concluded his studies at Georgetown University Law Center in 2004, graduating with a Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude. Additionally, he completed coursework in comparative culture at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. His education has been instrumental in developing his critical thinking skills and understanding of international relations.
Certified as an Information Privacy Professional by the International Association of Privacy Professionals Europe, Mr. Costello is also a member of several industry-related organizations including the American Bar Association, Lawyers of Civil Justice, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. These affiliations reflect his commitment to staying abreast of developments in his field and contributing to the legal community.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Costello is involved in civic-minded organizations such as Real Estate Litigation for Battered Women and assisting individuals seeking asylum. His dedication to these causes demonstrates his commitment to using his legal expertise for the betterment of society. He has been recognized with accolades, such as being selected for inclusion as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for New York from 2011 to 2015. Likewise, Mr. Costello was proudly Chambers Ranked for E-Discovery and Information Governance in 2020.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Mr. Costello enjoys raising his dog, playing golf, and dedicating his spare time to his loving wife and son. Community involvement remains important to him as he aims to assist clients in adapting to new technologies like generative artificial intelligence while understanding their organizational needs in the coming years. His goal for the immediate future is to develop the e-discovery practice further while ensuring clients become self-sufficient through effective support and process setup.
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