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 slowed down in July, as 50 partner and counsel moves were reported, down from 62 in June. Last year, 73 moves were reported in July.
Five government lawyers joined D.C.-area firms in July, up from two in June. As we have previously noted, hiring from government is likely to remain low until after this year’s election. Five lawyers moved from in-house positions.
Two group moves were reported in July. One was a two-lawyer Life Sciences and FDA Group that joined Orrick from Wilson Sonsini. The other was a two-partner team that left Morrison & Foerster for Goodwin Procter.
Other firms reported multiple hires included:
- DLA Piper
- Milbank
- Polsinelli
- Shook, Hardy & Bacon
- Stradley Ronon
Sixteen of the movers (32 percent) were women, with nine (56.3 percent) entering as partners. That compared to 21 of the 34 men (61.8 percent) who joined their new firms as partners.
Intellectual Property was the leading practice represented, with 11 movers. Other active practice areas included FDA (4), Antitrust (4), Litigation (4), and White Collar/Investigations (3).
In the latest episode of Steve Nelson’s podcast, Steve’s Rules, Steve and co-host Murray Coffey discuss the best ways to manage recruiter inquiries and considerations on choosing a legal recruiter to help in changing firms:
- A roadmap through the Lateral Partner Questionnaire
- Compensation issues faced by laterals
- The myth of portable business
- The difference between retained and contingency search
- The elements of a legal business plan
The podcast is available on a number of platforms, including Buzzsprout, Spotify, and Apple.
