Identity theft. If it can happen at a top law school — e.g., Georgetown — it can happen at a top law firm.

The folks over at Kirkland & Ellis have a healthy sense of humor. Remember this cute April Fool’s joke?

But considering how it can impair your credit score and turn your life upside down, identity theft is no laughing matter. An mail sent out to all K&E employees, alerting them to possible identity theft affecting Kirkland lawyers, appears after the jump.

(It also contains helpful tips about how to protect yourself from identity theft. So think of it as a PSA from ATL for the rest of you. You’re welcome!)

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP — FIRM-WIDE EMAIL RE: POSSIBLE IDENTITY THEFT

Jeff Hohner/Chicago/Kirkland-Ellis

04/10/2008 04:55 PM

To: #FW All Personnel

Subject: Alert - identity theft

To all Kirkland personnel:

It has been brought to our attention that personal accounts at Associated Bank owned by two Partners have recently been compromised. While neither situation resulted in a monetary loss, the perpetrator was able to use the Partner’s personal information to establish on-line banking capabilities in one instance and to request a change of address on a personal credit line in the other. Associated Bank was alerted to these situations when the Partners contacted the bank to ask about letters they had received confirming these changes.

Associated Bank is implementing procedures to help protect your accounts, including ‘flagging’ accounts in such a way that any requests made to the accounts will have to be approved by Kristine Burke or Tim Lohre, two individuals who are intimately familiar with the Firm. Associated Bank is also working with the government and law enforcement agencies that have already begun investigating these incidents, including the Chicago Police Department - Financial Crimes Division, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Associated Bank suggests that you consider taking the following actions to help protect your identity and your banking relationships:

1. Closely monitor activity in your bank accounts, but especially over the next few months. The fraudulent activity appears to have begun in mid-March, so it is also a good idea to review your bank statements for the past several months. Contact your bank if you note any questionable activity.

2. Contact the Credit Bureau Fraud Hotline at (800) 525-6285 to place a fraud alert with all three credit reporting agencies. This can help prevent another individual from establishing new credit in your name.

3. Request and review a free copy of your credit report to ensure that nobody other than yourself is using your personal information to establish credit. This is something Associated Bank suggests you do on a semi or annual basis.

4. Verify that you currently have all of your checks, debit cards, home equity cards and/or bank statements in your possession or in a secure place.

5. When disposing of any financial documents, ensure that they are shredded appropriately.

Although this activity seems to be related to accounts held at Associated Bank, you may want to check with your bank to ensure the security of your banking relationships. If you have any questions or concerns that you want to address with Associated Bank, please contact [xxxx]. They will be happy to assist you.

Of course, you can contact me if there is anything I can do to assist you.

Jeff Hohner | Treasurer | Kirkland & Ellis LLP
130 EAST RANDOLPH | CHICAGO, IL 60601