Advice for Partners Considering a Move
One of the most common questions I get from partners: "Is now a good time to make a move?"
The short answer, based on everything I'm seeing in the market this spring, is yes , if you're doing it for the right reasons.
The numbers are notable: AmLaw 200 firms recorded more than 3,000 partner moves in 2025, a five-year high. Firms with 1,000+ lawyers increased lateral hiring by more than 20%. The competition for established partners with portable business is real, and is only intensifying.
What the data doesn’t tell you is
whether the platform you're moving to actually serves your clients better;
whether the firm’s culture will help you grow; and
whether the firm’s economics will reflect your true value long term.
In my experience, most unsuccessful lateral moves don't fail because of timing. They fail because of misalignment. Misalignment between what the partner needs to thrive and what the firm is actually designed to deliver.
Before you move, ask yourself three questions:
Will my clients follow me?
Will they be better served?
Can this platform open doors my current firm cannot?
We specialize in helping partners answer those questions honestly. The market is strong. Make sure your decision is, too.