This is the latest update on lateral partner and counsel moves in the Washington, D.C. area. The data included in these reports is primarily derived from Firm Prospects LLC. For more details and analysis, including a list of laterals for the month, please contact Steve Nelson.
Lateral hiring in DC dipped a bit in March as 77 partner and counsel moves were reported, down from 96 in January. However, that number was substantially up from the 45 reported in March 2024. Moreover, there were 230 moves reported in the first quarter, up from 200 in the first quarter of 2024.
Government hiring also remained strong, as 28 moves from government were reported. That followed the 33 moves reported in February, the highest number in recent history. Overall, there have been 73 moves from government so far this year, compared to 59 during the first three months after the 2020 election.
Not surprisingly, the Department of Justice accounted for the most hires, with seven attorneys moving into private practice. Three attorneys came from the White House. Other agencies represented by multiple hires included the White House (3), SEC (3), Commerce (2), IRS (2), and FBI (2).
There were two group moves reported in February. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman brought in a group of international trade lawyers from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, while Foley & Lardner recruited two partners from Cozen O’Connor specializing in State Attorneys’ General work.
Other firms reporting multiple hires included:
- Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld
- Axinn Veltrop
- Fried Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
- Gilbert LLP
- Holland & Knight
- Jenner & Block
- Latham & Watkins
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
- Paul Hastings
- Sidley Austin
- Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
- Steptoe
- Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Twenty-seven of the movers (35.1 percent) were women, with 16 (59.3 percent) entering as partners. That compared to 38 of the 50 men (76 percent) who joined their new firms as partners.
Litigation and International Trade were by far the most active practice areas, with 11 moves apiece. Other active practice areas included Antitrust (8), Energy (5), Data Privacy (4), Intellectual Property (3), Securities Regulation (3), and Investment Management (3).
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