Advice for Partners considering a move (Compensation Intelligence)

Partners often ask me: "Is this really the right time to make a move?"

I've been watching compensation data in the lateral market for a long time. What I'm seeing right now is unambiguous: practice area expertise has become the single most powerful driver of lateral compensation outcomes.

Recent data on BigLaw lateral moves shows:

• M&A and private equity partners: 15–20% compensation increases upon lateral move

• IP attorneys with technical credentials: 14–18%

• Securities and white-collar litigators: 12–15%

• Regulatory specialists: 13–18%

Here in Los Angeles and across the major California markets, geography still commands a substantial premium.

But here's the nuance that often gets missed: these ranges are floors, not ceilings, especially for partners who bring meaningful client relationships and a portable book. The partner who knows their market value and walks into a conversation armed with that information is in a fundamentally different position than the one who's guessing.

At Strategic Search Resources my job is to ensure you're never guessing. We do this work every day, and we know which firms are quietly aggressive right now and which are more cautious.

If you've been thinking about it, even just thinking, let's talk.

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