C Street Advisory Group has appointed Deneese Walia Levin as Managing Director of Law Firm Optimization, bringing more than two decades of legal and operational experience from Kirkland & Ellis as law firms increasingly face questions about AI, technology, talent, governance, and strategic positioning.
Based in Chicago, Levin will advise law firms on legal operations, business development, AI and technology adoption, talent and succession planning, and strategic growth.
She will also help build and scale C Street’s Law Firm Optimization practice.
Levin spent more than 20 years at Kirkland & Ellis, where she was a partner and Head of Knowledge, Markets & Strategy for the firm’s global Debt Finance practice.
During her time at the firm, the Debt Finance practice grew to more than 450 attorneys and became one of the largest operations of its kind.
Levin built and led an integrated platform supporting the practice across knowledge management, market intelligence, business development, training and technology.
Her technology responsibilities included deploying Kirkland’s early AI initiatives and managing about a dozen technology vendor relationships.
C Street sees those capabilities becoming increasingly important as law firms evaluate how AI and other technologies should influence leadership decisions, capital allocation and firmwide operating models.
The advisory firm also believes large law firms increasingly need institutionalized systems and governance rather than relying primarily on individual rainmakers.
In her new position, Levin will work with law firm leadership teams, practice group heads and management committees to identify growth opportunities and advance operational transformation.
Her arrival also expands C Street’s Chicago presence, where the company expects its team to double in size during 2026.
Before moving into broader operational leadership roles at Kirkland, Levin began as a corporate associate in the Debt Finance practice and became a partner in 2009.
She represented institutional clients in multibillion-dollar financings and M&A transactions, developing experience in acquisition financing structures, credit documentation and regulatory compliance.
Levin holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.A. from Northwestern University.
KEY QUOTES:
“To advise law firms you have to have lived inside law firms. Law firms are unique institutions with unique dynamics, operations, and relationships.”
“Deneese is a law firm insider and generational talent, and her addition will provide us with additional experience and expertise to bolster our services and add significant value.”
Jon Henes, Founder and CEO of C Street Advisory Group
“Deneese has spent her career building the systems, talent, and technology that turn a great practice into a great institution.”
“That’s the discipline behind C Street Optimization. Having her on this team, a rare combination of practitioner and builder, makes us even stronger.”
Ben Schrag, Chief Strategy Officer at C Street Advisory Group
“Every law firm leader I talk with is wrestling with a variety of issues, and having someone who has worked through these issues from the inside is critical to growth, alignment, and success.”
“I spent my career inside a firm understanding that strategy, positioning, and talent are key to operational excellence and great client service. I’m joining C Street to be a trusted advisor to law firm leaders to ensure they have the best advice and judgment in the room.”
Deneese Walia Levin, Managing Director of Law Firm Optimization at C Street Advisory Group
