
John Polansky
Clerkships | Litigation Careers | Former Partner at Kirkland & Ellis

Stanford Law School

Kirkland & Ellis
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Job Search Diagnosis: Find What’s Blocking Your Job Search
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About
My passion is teaching, education, and professional development -- after my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, I completed a Doctorate in Astronautical Engineering and then worked for two years as an assistant professor in space technology, while also working with the United Nations to start tech projects in developing countries. This path inspired me to apply to law school, to merge my engineering background with litigation skills. I started at Harvard Law, and later transferred to Stanford Law for family-related reasons. I've since spent the past eight-plus years of my legal career working as a litigator and clerk, including two clerkships, time as an associate attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and time as an associate attorney and parter at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. In short, I have a ton of experience with law school applications, career changes, clerkship applications and clerkships, and law firms!
John’s Career Coaching Qualifications
Coaches professionally
Experience level: Analyst
Hi! As a Stanford Law School graduate and former Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, I bring a wealth of experience and insight into the legal field. My journey through Stanford Law School and Harvard Law School (where I did my first year), two clerkships (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), and years working as an associate attorney and partner in big law have given me substantial perspective and experience with career options in civil litigation. Whether you need guidance on career changes, job applications, professional mentorship, or anything else, I'm here to help you along your professional journey!
John can help with:
Career Planning
Cover Letters
General Exploration
Interview Prep
Job Search Strategies
Professional Networking
Resume Review
Why do I coach?
I love helping individuals achieve success, especially individuals exploring law as a career, or who are already working in law and would like to pivot to a new job within the field. During my career, I've assisted numerous coaching clients with application strategies, essay outlining and editing, professional action plans, mentorship, and much more -- I would love to help you along your educational and professional journey!
Work Experience

Partner
Kirkland & Ellis
October 2024 - March 2026

Associate Attorney
Kirkland & Ellis
August 2022 - October 2024

Law Clerk
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
December 2020 - March 2022

Associate Attorney
Gibson Dunn
October 2019 - December 2020

Law Clerk
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
October 2018 - August 2019

Assistant Professor
Kyushu Institute of Technology
August 2013 - July 2015
- Initiated tech-educational opportunities in developing countries in conjunction with the United Nations - Nano-satellite technology and satellite launch projects
Education

Stanford Law School
Doctor of Law (J.D.)
2016 - 2018
- Stanford Technology Law Review Member Editor - Policy Practicum: Empirical Study of Patent NPE (Non-Practicing Entity) Litigation

Harvard Law School
1L
2015 - 2016
- Harvard Journal of Law and Technology Line Editor and Special Symposium Editor - HBX CORe (Credential of Readiness) Pass with Honors, Harvard Business School (Summer 2015)

University of Southern California
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Astronautical Engineering
2008 - 2013
Thesis: Laboratory Investigations of the Near Surface Plasma Field and Charging at the Lunar Terminator - Experimentally demonstrated new potential-limiting condition from charge-exchange for gridded iron thrusters and quantified surface topography effects on low-energy ion lunar-simulant surface charging for the first time

University of North Dakota
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Mechanical Engineering
2004 - 2008
- Graduated Summa cum laude - Two-year fellowship from Space Studies Department to design Spaceship One and Apollo Capsule prototypes - NASA Research Associate, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL