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 predictably slowed down in December as 33 partner and counsel moves were reported, down from 55 in November. Nevertheless, the number of moves was higher than in December 2022, when 25 moves were reported.
Only one group move was reported in December—a six-lawyer Affordable Housing & Real Estate group that moved from the Bethesda boutique firm of Kearbey, Pirulli & Evatt to Robinson+Cole. Two other firms—Husch Blackwell and K&L Gates—reported multiple moves during the month.
Six government lawyers entered private practice in December, while four lawyers came from in-house positions.
Thirteen women were among the 33 movers, with five (38.5 percent) entering as partners. That compared to 13 of the 20 men (65 percent) who joined their new firms as partners.
Litigation was the leading practice represented, with six movers. Other active practice areas included Real Estate/Housing (5), White Collar/Investigations (4), Data Privacy (3), and Intellectual Property (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 contact TMG’s Executive Principal Steve Nelson.
