Mr. Kovner was born in Washington DC, and has lived and worked in the city for the past 33 years. He earned his law degree from Georgetown Law School in 1989, and was a Partner in the Washington DC office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP from 1996 – 2020 (he is currently Of Counsel). Kirkland is one the largest law firms in the world, with offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Mr. Kovner is repeatedly recognized as one of the country’s leading antitrust practitioners by Chambers & Partners USA; Washington D.C. Super Lawyers, and The International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers and Economists, among other publications. Mr. Kovner was also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown Law School for 18 years, between 2001 and 2019. He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from Brandeis University.
Mr. Kovner is a long-time Board member of the Washington Council of Lawyers (WCL), and its immediate past President. This 550+ member organization is, in effect, the pro bono bar association for the District of Columbia. Drawing from large and small law firms, federal and local government, academia, and many local associations/non-profits, WCL works to advance access to justice for the city’s marginalized communities by, among other things, promoting pro bono work, advocating on behalf of those offering free or reduced fee legal services, and endorsing local Bar leaders and judges who are committed to broadening access to justice and pro bono work.
