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 dipped in March, as 45 partner and counsel moves were reported in the D.C. metro area, down from 67 in February and 77 in January. In March 2023, 52 moves were reported. Despite reports in some circles that lateral hiring has increased nationally in early 2024, our data shows a significant decline in lateral moves in the D.C. area so far this year.
Four group moves were reported in March:
- Two White Collar/Investigations partners joined McDermott Will & Emery from Orrick
- One partner and one senior counsel joined Norton Rose Fulbright from Winston & Strawn.
- Three Intellectual Property partners left Allen & Overy for Paul Hastings
- Two Litigation/International Dispute Resolution partners joined Sidley Austin from Wiley Rein
Other firms reported multiple hires included:
- DLA Piper
- Greenberg Traurig
- Morgan Lewis & Bockius
- Steptoe
- Winston & Strawn
Much of the decline in lateral movement this year can be attributed to less hiring from government. So far in 2024, 27 government lawyers have moved into private practice, compared to 38 during the first quarter of 2023. Six government lawyers entered private practice in February, while three lawyers moved from in-house positions.
Fifteen women were among the 45 movers (33.3 percent), with 12 (80 percent) entering as partners. That compared to 20 of the 30 men (66.7 percent) who joined their new firms as partners.
Intellectual Property was the leading practice represented, with six movers. Other active practice areas included Data Privacy (4), White Collar/Investigations (4), Investment Management (4), Antitrust (3), International Trade (3), and Litigation (3).
Steve Nelson’s podcast, Steve’s Rules, has just started its second season. In the current episode, Steve reviews compensation issues faced by laterals when they transition to new firms. Other topics recently addressed by the podcast include:
- A roadmap through the Lateral Partner Questionnaire
- Advice to government affairs lawyers coming off the Hill
- The myth of portable business
- The difference between retained and contingency search
- Developing your firm’s unique selling points
The podcast is available on a number of platforms, including Buzzsprout, Spotify, and Apple.
