Technology-adjacent practices, employment law, and privacy/data security lead 2026 lateral demand, with significant regional variations. High-growth markets like Charlotte and Seattle offer unique opportunities beyond traditional BigLaw strongholds.
Patent litigation associates handle document review, prior art research, claim construction briefing, expert witness coordination, and trial preparation. The work is highly technical and substantive, with better work-life balance than M&A but intense periods during trials and key deadlines.
The M&A associate lateral market remains competitive but active, with strong demand in tech-heavy markets and emerging practice areas. Success depends heavily on timing, deal experience quality, and target market selection.
California's intricate wage and hour regulations, including PAGA claims and classification issues, create enormous demand for employment lawyers. The state's employee-friendly laws and high-stakes litigation make California-specific expertise incredibly valuable.
Fenwick & West is a premier Silicon Valley technology law firm known for venture capital, IPOs, and emerging company representation. They're particularly strong in tech transactions, employment law for tech companies, and intellectual property matters.
Employment law demand is surging in California (PAGA litigation), the Pacific Northwest (tech employment issues), and growing Southeast markets. Many attorneys find better work-life balance and competitive compensation outside traditional BigLaw centers.
Washington and California employment law markets differ significantly in regulatory complexity, with California's PAGA and wage & hour laws creating more plaintiff-side opportunities, while Washington's noncompete ban and tech concentration drive corporate employment demand.
The Bay Area offers excellent employment law opportunities across Big Law firms like Fenwick & West and Wilson Sonsini (tech-focused) and specialized boutiques. PAGA litigation and tech layoff cases are driving significant demand for new talent.
Moving from BigLaw litigation to a California employment boutique typically involves a 15-30% base salary reduction, but successful employment boutiques often match or exceed BigLaw total compensation through contingency fees and profit sharing. California's robust PAGA and wage-hour litigation market creates strong earning potential for experienced practitioners.
Employment litigation associates in California earn $215,000-$365,000+ at BigLaw firms following the Cravath scale, while boutique employment firms typically pay $160,000-$280,000 depending on experience and PAGA specialization.
Silicon Valley litigation practices are experiencing strong demand, particularly in tech-adjacent disputes, employment litigation, and IP matters. Associates with 3-6 years of experience are well-positioned for moves to both elite tech boutiques and national firms with significant Bay Area presences.
IP technology transactions in life sciences involves structuring and negotiating deals around intellectual property in biotech, pharma, and medical devices. This includes licensing agreements, joint ventures, M&A support, and collaboration deals, combining IP expertise with business transactions skills.
Employment law is exceptionally strong in California due to the state's complex regulatory landscape, PAGA litigation, and tech sector employment issues. The market shows consistent high demand for skilled employment attorneys across both plaintiff and defense sides.
California's employment litigation market offers strong remote opportunities, especially for attorneys with wage and hour experience. PAGA reform in 2024 shifted the landscape but demand remains high, with firms increasingly flexible about remote arrangements for experienced practitioners.
Fenwick & West is an excellent choice for mid-level corporate and technology associates, particularly those with startup or emerging company experience. The firm's market-leading position in Silicon Valley tech transactions creates strong advancement opportunities for laterals with relevant backgrounds.