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 continued at a somewhat slow pace in September, as 49 partner and counsel moves were reported, up from 46 in August, but down from 73 in July. A total of 70 moves were reported in September. As a result, lateral hiring in 2023 now trails the 2022 number.
Two different lateral groups moved in September. Those were:
- Two DC Technology Transactions partners who moved as part of a larger group from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman to Clifford Chance.
- Two DC Investment Management partners who moved with another San Diego-based partner to join DLA Piper from White & Case.
Other firms reporting multiple moves in September included:
- Arnall Golden Gregory
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
- Stinson
- Womble Bond Dickinson
Six attorneys moved from government positions, up from two in August. Nine lawyers moved from in-house positions, the most in any month this year.
Seventeen women were among the 49 moves (34.7 percent) were women, with 12 entering as partners (70.6 percent. That compared to 71.9 percent of the 32 men who joined their new firms as partners.
Litigation was the leading practice area represented, with eight moves. Other active practice areas included:
- Antitrust (5)
- Intellectual Property (4)
- Government Relations (3)
- Real Estate (3)
- Government Contracts (3)
The McCormick Group’s consulting offering, TMG Competitive Intelligence, provides critical insights concerning lateral partner hiring across the nation. Under that program, TMG analyzes lateral movement in a particular geography, practice area, or industry to determine critical trends, including:
- Amount of movement, not just in raw numbers, but in comparison to the number of lateral targets.
- Competitor performance, both in terms of lateral entries and departures.
- Information based on gender, race, and ethnicity.
- Breakdowns by practice area and industry.
- Movement of groups vs. individuals.
For more information on TMG Competitive Intelligence, firm representatives should call TMG’s Executive Principal Steve Nelson.
