National Lateral Move Statistics: Year-to-Date

24,173 lateral moves overall-5,203 Partners, 3,383 Counsels
and 13,680 Associates.

21,017 of these moves were within law firms, while only 2,046 moves were to in-house positions, reflecting the hyper-competitive nature of in-house tracks (In-house salaries favor larger companies, top law school graduates, and attorneys in high demand practice areas such as IP and antitrust).

New York City led in lateral moves, followed by California, Washington, D.C., and Texas.

The Class of 2021 has been the most active, with 1,914 moves. The Class of 2022 is expected to dominate next year, as the 2-6 year range remains the sweet spot for lateral movement.

The overall legal market has grown by 0.73%, accounting for attrition.

What’s Next:
Looking ahead, law firms are likely to remain resilient, with sustained activity in regulatory and transactional work. In energy and environment, the Inflation Reduction Act is likely to sustain renewable energy work, while state-level and private environmental litigation may rise even as federal enforcement wanes. Traditional energy practices could see growth from eased drilling and pipeline regulations, and backlash against ESG initiatives might create new legal challenges. In M&A, initial slowdowns due to policy uncertainty could give way to increased deal activity, influencing related areas like private equity, regulatory, employment, litigation, and real estate. Regulatory and compliance work will likely expand as businesses adapt to rapid changes, particularly at the state level, while antitrust enforcement may shift focus, especially regarding Big Tech. Employment and immigration practices could see demand for managing cross-border employees, navigating policy changes, and addressing shifts in NLRB priorities. Meanwhile, international trade practices may excpand as we grapple with tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and evolving global trade policies.