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John P.

John Polansky

Stanford Law Grad | Law School Expert | Former Partner at Kirkland & Ellis

  • Stanford Law School Logo

    Stanford Law School

  • Kirkland & Ellis Logo

    Kirkland & Ellis

Questions?

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Work with John

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 Law School Qualifications

Coaches professionally

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) have equipped me with a deep understanding of the law school admissions process. I have successfully coached aspiring law students, helping them navigate their applications and interviews to gain admission to top law schools. Whether you need guidance on crafting compelling personal statements, preparing for interviews, submitting transfer applications, or anything else, I'm here to help!

John can help with:

Application Strategy

Essays

Interviews

Recommendations

Resume

School Selection

Waitlist Strategy

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

Kirkland & Ellis Logo

Partner

Kirkland & Ellis

October 2024 - March 2026

Kirkland & Ellis Logo

Associate Attorney

Kirkland & Ellis

August 2022 - October 2024

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Logo

Law Clerk

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

December 2020 - March 2022

Gibson Dunn Logo

Associate Attorney

Gibson Dunn

October 2019 - December 2020

United States District Court for the Northern District of California Logo

Law Clerk

United States District Court for the Northern District of California

October 2018 - August 2019

Kyushu Institute of Technology Logo

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 Logo

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 Logo

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 Logo

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 Logo

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