Hammond Chaffetz
Encyclopedia
Hammond E. Chaffetz was a federal prosecutor and partner at Kirkland & Ellis
. He helped turn this law firm into one of the American’s largest law firms.
Born in Massachusetts, Hammond Chaffetz graduated from Harvard Law School in 1930. He joined the U.S. Department of Justice, where he became federal prosecutor specialized in antitrust cases. His victory over 16 oil companies in a price fixing
conspiracy soon caught the attention of Weymouth Kirkland, who was defending one of the oil companies. Kirkland offered the young lawyer a partnership at the Washington offices of the firm.
During World War II, he took leave of absence and became a Navy lieutenant commander.
He rejoined the law firm after the war, and was moved to the Chicago offices. He was key to the law firm’s expansion, by recruiting young law students. He withdrew from active law practice in the early 1980s, but remained advisor until his death.
Mr. Chaffetz was also an active supporter of the arts in Chicago, most notably the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
, the Goodman Theatre
, and the International Theatre Festival.
Kirkland & Ellis
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is an international law firm with headquarters in Chicago, known for its profitability and its litigation, bankruptcy, intellectual property and private equity departments. Kirkland & Ellis is currently ranked as the ninth most prestigious law firm in the United States by...
. He helped turn this law firm into one of the American’s largest law firms.
Born in Massachusetts, Hammond Chaffetz graduated from Harvard Law School in 1930. He joined the U.S. Department of Justice, where he became federal prosecutor specialized in antitrust cases. His victory over 16 oil companies in a price fixing
Price fixing
Price fixing is an agreement between participants on the same side in a market to buy or sell a product, service, or commodity only at a fixed price, or maintain the market conditions such that the price is maintained at a given level by controlling supply and demand...
conspiracy soon caught the attention of Weymouth Kirkland, who was defending one of the oil companies. Kirkland offered the young lawyer a partnership at the Washington offices of the firm.
During World War II, he took leave of absence and became a Navy lieutenant commander.
He rejoined the law firm after the war, and was moved to the Chicago offices. He was key to the law firm’s expansion, by recruiting young law students. He withdrew from active law practice in the early 1980s, but remained advisor until his death.
Mr. Chaffetz was also an active supporter of the arts in Chicago, most notably the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
, the Goodman Theatre
Goodman Theatre
The Goodman Theatre is a professional theater company located in Chicago's Loop. A major part of Chicago theatre, it is the city's oldest currently active nonprofit theater organization...
, and the International Theatre Festival.