2025 AmLaw Lateral Hiring Snapshot

Premier Pursuit

2025 Associate and Partner AmLaw Lateral Hiring Snapshot

Martina Ellerbe

recruiting@premierpursuitllc.com | 201.745.5901 | Premier Pursuit

The legal recruiting market came back to life in 2025. AmLaw 200 firms collectively made 13,214 non‑entry‑level hires — the most since the post‑pandemic hiring frenzy — with associates still comprising nearly 60% of the total and partners accounting for roughly 23%. This short blog post unpacks the data behind those headline figures, exploring which practice areas and cities drove the surge, where the talent came from, and what these trends signal for 2026.

Summary

AmLaw 200 firms hired 13,214 non‑entry‑level lawyers in 2025, the highest total since the post‑pandemic boom. Associates remained the largest cohort, making up 58% of hires, while partners accounted for 23%. Partner hiring jumped to 3,009 — a five‑year high and roughly 10% above 2024 levels. Associate hiring reached 7,686, a 5% year‑over‑year increase, signaling a steady recovery. The rise in overall activity reflects renewed investment in senior talent alongside sustained demand for junior and mid‑level lawyers.

Partner‑level trends

Litigation anchored partner hiring with about 26% of all partner hires, while corporate practices captured 16%. Intellectual property, real estate, banking and labor & employment each contributed meaningful volumes, illustrating that firms are balancing growth across both contentious and deal‑driven disciplines. Government agencies produced a notable pipeline: about 9% of partner hires came from federal roles, helping make Washington, D.C. the second‑largest partner market after New York.

Associate‑level trends

Associates accounted for 7,686 hires — roughly three in five lateral moves. Litigation again led the way with 2,726 hires. Corporate practices hired 1,233 associates, followed by labor & employment (753), banking (552), real estate (465) and intellectual property (417). New York dominated associate hiring with 1,851 placements, nearly double Washington, D.C. (930). The vast majority of associates (72%) came from other law firms, while judicial clerkships supplied 17%. Government, in‑house and non‑profit roles combined for roughly 11%.

Looking ahead

Signs point to another strong year for lateral hiring in 2026, offering attractive opportunities for both candidates and firms. If you’re a lawyer exploring your next career move or a law firm seeking to add top‑tier talent, Premier Pursuit’s recruiters are ready to guide you. Get in touch to discuss how we can help you capitalize on these trends.

*All data is derived and interpreted from Firm Prospects’ 2025 AmLaw 200 Lateral Hiring Report. This blog post focuses on partner and associate hiring.