Advice for Partners Considering a Move

One thing I've noticed after years of placing lateral partners: the partners who navigate moves most successfully are the ones who did the work before anyone approached them.

For example, they knew their book of business; not just the dollar amount, but the portability story. They had clarity about what they actually wanted from a new platform and they took time to evaluate firms the same way firms evaluate candidates: rigorously, with due diligence and with a strategic purpose.

What does that look like in practice for those considering new opportunities?

First, understand your leverage. The market for partners with strong, portable client relationships in key practice areas is as active as I've ever seen in my career. Firms at every level of the AmLaw 200 are growing their platforms. The best opportunities go to partners who have already done some research and are engaged in conversations and are not scrambling to react to a bad situation.

Second, as I always say, evaluate culture and platform, not just compensation. The most generous guaranteed package at a firm where your practice style doesn't fit is a short-term win and a long-term problem. The integration risk is real.

Third, don't underestimate timing. The window for particular opportunities opens and closes faster than most partners realize. Having a trusted advisor in your corner, someone who knows which firms are actively building in your practice area, is genuinely valuable.