Linda and Jeffrey Hammes (JD ’85) Donate $1M to Establish First-Gen Scholarship

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is delighted to announce that Jeffrey Hammes (JD ’85) has generously committed $1 million to establish and fund the Hammes Family Scholarship, which will be used to provide scholarship support for students with demonstrated financial need and high academic achievement who are also of the first generation in their family to attend college.  The establishment of this scholarship ensures that a student’s opportunities are not affected by their ability to pay, while simultaneously bolstering the Law School’s resources for first-generation students.

“We are tremendously grateful to Linda and Jeffrey Hammes for their generosity in establishing the Hammes Family Scholarship, which will provide important support for students who are of the first generation in their family to attend college,” Dean Hari Osofsky said. “This scholarship aims to open opportunities through needed financial support.”

Jeffrey Hammes graduated from the Law School in 1985. He joined Kirkland & Ellis that same year and was a partner from 1991 until his retirement at the end of 2019. He became Chairman of Kirkland’s Global Management Executive Committee in 2010 and served until his retirement. He played a key role in Kirkland’s global expansion as a founding partner of the San Francisco office and leader of the opening of the firm’s office in Houston. He led Kirkland’s entrance into Asia with the opening of the Hong Kong office in 2007. During his tenure as Chairman, he also developed the strategy and implementation of the significant transformation and growth of the firm’s offices in New York and London. Prior to taking on the full-time role of Chairman, Jeff concentrated his practice representing private equity funds in connection with mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and going private transactions.

“Students who are of the first generation in their family bring unique perspectives and are necessary voices within the legal community,” said Mr. Hammes. “It is my hope that the Hammes Family Scholarship creates opportunities for these students by decreasing the financial burden of a law school education.”

As head of Kirkland, Hammes facilitated a close relationship with Northwestern and has hired thousands of fellow alumni. He is a life member on the Law Board at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Ravinia Festival Association and the Wisconsin School of Business Advisory Board.