Talent War Heating Up: Law Firms Need War Chest and Other Incentives As Lateral Movement Swells

To win the talent war in this free-agency era of partner movement, firms must have a war chest. After all, anything is on the table now, recruiters say, when it comes to lateral moves.

6 minute read March 01, 2026 at 12:06 AM
By
Andrew Maloney
Talent War Heating Up: Law Firms Need War Chest and Other Incentives As Lateral Movement Swells

Higher-profile partners and bigger books of business were more frequently on the move last year, with the market seeing a nearly 20% rise in lateral partner movement in 2025.

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