Q1 2025: Partner Hiring Trends
The overall hiring market delivered mixed results in Q1, with lateral partner recruitment standing out as a priority for many firms. There was a rise in lateral partner hiring during the first quarter of 2025 amongst AmLaw 200 firms, despite associate hiring being slowed down. This article will explore the data and trends surrounding lateral partner recruitment while also offering valuable insights into the market.
The Top 5 Practice Areas for Hiring
In the AmLaw 200 space, the largest partner moves in Q1 were in Litigation, Corporate, Intellectual Property (IP), Labor & Employment, and Real Estate. Here's a breakdown of what we saw:
Litigation
By far the most active category, Litigation accounted for 377 lateral partner moves. Demand for skilled litigators stems from the ongoing influx of complex disputes, regulatory enforcement matters, and high-stakes trials. Litigation is a practice that tends to be recession proof, and we don’t anticipate a major slowdown in the need for litigation partners throughout 2025.
Top hiring firms in Litigation:
Kirkland & Ellis hired 15 partners
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith brought on 14 partners
Gordon & Rees added 12 partners
Corporate
With 200 lateral moves, Corporate law ranks second. Election years tend to slow down deal work, thus creating a chicken and egg situation with lateral moves. In Q1 of 2025, deal work increased and with it the demand for Corporate partners increased as well.
Top hiring firms in Corporate:
Reed Smith brought on 14 partners
Simpson Thacher added 9 partners
Kirkland & Ellis continued its expansion with 8 partner additions
Intellectual Property
The rise of IP-related disputes and the growing value of intangible assets resulted in 102 lateral moves in the Intellectual Property sector. IP is a competitive field requiring specialized knowledge of patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The life sciences and healthcare sectors are the most in demand IP specialties.
Top hiring firms for IP lawyers:
Buchanan hired 9 partners
Cleary Gottlieb and Morgan Lewis each brought in 5 partners
Labor & Employment
The Labor & Employment sector saw 91 hires. This was driven by changes in workplace laws, compliance, and ongoing employment disputes.
Top hirers in Labor & Employment:
Fisher Phillips hired 6 partners
Fragomen, Littler Mendelson, and Ogletree each brought in 5 lateral partners
Real Estate
With 84 lateral moves, Real Estate rounds out the top five. Hiring in this practice area remains steady, driven by increased activity in commercial leases, real estate financing, and construction.
Key hiring firms in Real Estate:
Baker & Hostetler hired 5 partners
Buchalter added 4 partners
Key Locations for Q1 2025 AmLaw 200 Lateral Moves
1. New York
Partner Hires: 258
Total Hires: 1,087
2. California
Partner Hires: 178
Total Hires: 729
3. District of Columbia
Partner Hires: 160
Total Hires: 554
4. Texas
Partner Hires: 115
Total Hires: 408
5. Illinois
Partner Hires: 100
Total Hires: 334
Your Next Move Awaits
The lateral market is rapidly evolving, and Q1 partner hiring trends confirm that demand for lateral partners is steady.
For those interested in exploring their lateral options, Foxstone Recruiting specializes in connecting top legal talent with elite firms throughout the country. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about the lateral partner market.
