The Washington, DC Legal Market 2026 Market Analysis Report
Washington, DC remains the second-largest legal market in the United States by attorney footprint and the single most competitive by concentration. As of the most recent full-market census (NLJ 500, December 2023), the DC metro area hosted 228 NLJ 500 offices and 15,566 attorneys — second only to New York — and 84% of the […]
The New York City Legal Market Analysis Report
Competitive Landscape, Client Base, and Outlook for 2026 and Beyond Executive Summary New York remains the largest and most consequential legal market in the United States. As of December 2024, the city hosted 260 NLJ 500 office locations and 29,352 attorneys, more than any other U.S. market, with 74% of the Am Law 200 and 52% of the NLJ 500maintaining a […]
Where the Work Is in 2026: The Practice Areas Driving Law Firm Lateral Hiring
Big Law demand increased in the first half of 2026, driven in large part by the rebound in M&A, with industry revenue rising 11.7%. M&A, finance, and real estate have been among the strongest areas of the lateral market. Private equity transactions continue to generate significant corporate work, while finance hiring has been fueled by […]
July 2026 Am Law 200 Lateral Market Analysis
This report analyzes attorney lateral movement across Am Law 200 firms in the United States for July 2026. The dataset, sourced from Leopard Solutions, tracks inbound and outbound lateral moves across 22 practice areas. The month recorded 1,273 attorney entries and 2,087 exits, resulting in a net outflow of 814 attorneys, the largest monthly net […]
The New Rules of Lateral Partner Interviews: Why Firms Are Hiring for Ecosystems, Not Just Books of Business
Lateral partner moves have hit historic highs post-pandemic. The AmLaw 200 saw 2,006 lateral partner hires in H1 2026 compared to 1,847 in H1 2025, 1,620 in H1 2024, 1,448 in H1 2023 and 1,586 in H1 2022. Firm mergers, as well as many firms breaking with pure lockstep compensation models or all equity partnership […]
April 2026 Am Law 200 Lateral Market Analysis
In this month’s lateral market analysis, we observe that Am Law 200 firms recorded 1,361 attorney entrances and 1,784 exits in April 2026, producing a net outflow of 423 attorneys, a meaningful improvement over the -616 net recorded in February 2026 and a continuation of a moderating trend from the deep attrition observed throughout early […]
Employee Spotlight: Evan Jowers
Evan Jowers is a Principal and a key member of Lateral Link’s Partner Practice Group. He leads partner level searches across the United States, Europe, and Asia and serves as Head of Asia and Co Chair of the London Desk. With more than two decades of experience advising firms and partners on complex cross border […]
Employee Spotlight: Niko Olsrud McIver
Niko Olsrud McIver brings a unique insider perspective to legal recruiting as an attorney who has held recruiting roles at both prestigious law firms and leading technology companies. In this conversation, she discusses how her background informs her approach to guiding attorneys through strategic career transitions. Can you describe your background and how you found […]
The Year-End Bonus Dilemma: Why Waiting to Start Your Job Search Might Not Be Worth It
As the calendar year draws to a close, many attorneys face a familiar crossroads: should they wait until after receiving their year-end bonus to begin exploring new opportunities? While delaying your job search might seem financially prudent, it often leads to missed opportunities and diminished career prospects. For attorneys considering a transition to an Am […]
Your Legal Career Needs a SWOT Analysis—Here’s How to Do ItÂ
The legal industry isn’t exactly known for sitting still. One day, you’re hearing about record BigLaw bonuses, the next it’s about layoffs and hiring freezes. If you’re a lawyer at any level, whether you’re a first-year associate or a seasoned partner, you’ve probably felt the whiplash of our ever-changing profession. Here’s the thing: hoping your […]