Northwestern University School of Law was given $5 million by the Kirkland & Ellis Foundation and 31 alumni of the school who are senior partners at the firm, the law firm announced Tuesday.

The money will provide scholarships for future students of NU’s JD-MBA program and will be distributed over five years, according to a University news release.

University President Morton Schapiro said in the release that he is “extremely proud of our relationship with Kirkland & Ellis and grateful for this generous gift.”

The donation is also one of the biggest single gifts ever given to the Law School.

“This is of great significance because it will give us the flexibility to pursue initiatives that benefit our students, enhance our competitive position and set aside funds for the long-term interests of the Law School,” said the School of Law Dean Daniel Rodriguez in the release.

The donation was spearheaded by Jeffrey Hammes (School of Law ’85),  who is the chairman of Kirkland & Ellis’ Global Management Executive Committee as well as a member of the Northwestern Law Board.

“Our Firm and our individual partners have supported Northwestern Law School for many years,” Hammes said in the release. “We are grateful for the strong relationship we have built with Northwestern and the many talented Northwestern alumni that have contributed to the success of our Firm. This latest gift reflects our continued support of Northwestern Law, its current dean, Dan Rodriguez, its faculty, staff and outstanding students, some of whom will be designated Kirkland & Ellis Scholars.”

— Paulina Firozi