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 […]
An Update on the Chicago Lateral Attorney Hiring Market
Although corporate activity has retrenched from record highs in 2021, the Chicago legal economy and attorney job market remain robust, underscoring the variance between the strong labor market and the challenges of high inflation and a volatile stock market. 2021 Was a Record Year for Chicago Lateral Attorney Hiring Like other major markets, Chicago experienced […]
New York Market Update: Strong Lateral Demand, Though With Variation Across Practice Areas
With talk of recession on the rise nationally, how are law firms in New York holding up? So far, the lateral market remains open for business. Firms are emphasizing some different practice areas compared to a year ago, but they continue to hire broadly. Lateral placement data indicate a healthy market: there were around 75 […]
DC Market Update: Strong Demand for Litigation, Transactional, and Regulatory Attorneys
After more than 200 years with New York as its only US office, Cravath announced in June that it will open in Washington, DC this fall. Given that Cravath has long resisted the Biglaw office expansion trend, its change in strategy is notable. Presiding Partner Faiza Saeed explained that the firm’s “clients face an increasingly […]
Record-High Demand for Environmental Attorneys
The increasing concerns about climate change and the rising prominence of broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have become dominant themes in business. Around the world, both private markets and governments are intensely focused on sustainability. Blackrock CEO Larry Fink captured the mood in his 2022 Annual Letter to CEOs, predicting: “The next 1,000 […]