The Kirkland & Ellis Law Firm pledged $2.75 million to the Stanford Law School over the next five years through several initiatives funded by the firm, as well as by matching gifts from its partners.

The pledge will fund “expanded clinical programs, new student awards and a series of panels and symposia on the legal profession,” according to an article by The National Law Journal.

“This generous support from Kirkland & Ellis will enable Stanford Law School to continue to transform legal education and prepare the next generation of leaders through innovative, interdisciplinary and international programs, new and expanded forms of clinical education and a renewed commitment to public service,” said Dean of Stanford Law School Larry Kramer in the article.

The donation will establish the Kirkland & Ellis Scholars Program, acknowledging the six top-performing first-year law students each year. It replaces the coif designation, eliminated in 2008 when the school stopped awarding letter grades. The program awards performance across the board, unlike book awards which reward individual course mastery.

The Law School will also establish the Kirkland & Ellis Law Forum, which will feature discussions about issues in law affecting the business community, with panelists coming from academia and the firm.

“The opportunity to recognize student excellence and to provide a forum for sharing thought leadership on emerging matters that may challenge and reshape the business and law community fits well with Kirkland & Ellis’ culture and mission,” said Jeffrey Hammes, chairman of the firm’s global management executive committee, told The National Law Journal.

–Ellora Israni