California does not offer bar exam reciprocity, so out-of-state attorneys must take the California bar exam. However, experienced attorneys may qualify for admission by motion under specific circumstances.
BigLaw partner compensation in 2026 will likely continue growing modestly, with equity partners at top-tier firms earning $2-15M+ annually. Non-equity partners typically earn $500K-2M, while practice area and portable business significantly impact earnings potential.
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.
Corporate associates handle M&A, securities, and general corporate work, with firms evaluating deal experience, drafting skills, and client management abilities. The current market strongly favors experienced corporate laterals, especially those with 3-7 years of experience.
Evaluating an Am Law 100 lateral offer requires analyzing compensation against current Cravath scale benchmarks, assessing the firm's practice strength and culture, and weighing long-term career trajectory benefits against lifestyle trade-offs.
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.
Charlotte's IP transactional market is surprisingly robust, driven by the city's fintech boom and major corporate headquarters. While deal sizes may be smaller than Silicon Valley, the work is sophisticated and the market is growing rapidly.
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.
AI is rapidly creating new subspecialties within California employment law, particularly around workplace surveillance, algorithmic bias, and data privacy. Employment lawyers should develop expertise in AI compliance, privacy regulations, and tech-specific wage and hour issues to capitalize on growing demand.
Legal recruiters typically earn through contingency fees (15-33% of placed candidate's first-year salary) or retained search fees paid upfront. Third-party recruiters work on commission while in-house firm recruiters receive base salaries plus bonuses.
California employment litigation firms prioritize candidates with wage & hour class action experience, California-specific regulatory knowledge, and strong motion practice skills. While state law expertise is valuable, firms will train strong candidates on California nuances.
Seattle offers strong work-life balance opportunities for attorneys, driven by tech industry culture and regional firms that prioritize sustainable practices. Corporate lawyers find good opportunities at regional powerhouses and tech-focused firms with competitive compensation adjusted for the market.
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.
Fenwick & West generally follows market rates for Silicon Valley BigLaw firms, with competitive base salaries and strong bonus potential driven by their premier tech practice. Their partnership track and equity opportunities reflect their position as a top-tier technology-focused firm.
A portable book of business refers to the clients and revenue that will likely follow you to a new firm. Most Am Law firms expect partners to bring $2-5+ million annually, though requirements vary by practice area and market.