Seattle's lateral market continues to thrive, anchored by major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft that drive substantial demand for corporate, IP, and employment attorneys. The region's unique employment law landscape and growing practice areas make it attractive for career pivots.
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.
Non-equity partner compensation disputes often signal deeper firm culture issues that rarely improve. A lateral move to a growing market like Charlotte can provide both financial upside and career reset opportunities.
Hogan Lovells non-equity partners typically earn approximately $400K-$800K annually, varying by office, practice area, and performance. The firm's international platform and strong market position generally support competitive compensation packages.
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.
The ideal timing for lateral moves depends on practice area and market dynamics, but generally falls into two windows: January-March for post-bonus moves with strong Q1 budgets, and August-October for year-end hiring pushes.
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.
Entertainment law partners in NYC and LA typically earn $400K-$1.2M+ depending on firm tier, portable business, and specialization. Both markets offer strong opportunities with LA having slight edge for film/TV work.
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.
Legal recruiters are paid by law firms, not candidates, typically earning 20-33% of the attorney's first-year salary as a placement fee. This creates important dynamics attorneys should understand when working with recruiters.
Partner billable hours vary significantly by firm type and market, with Am Law 100 partners typically billing 2,000-2,400 hours annually. However, partners focus more on business development and client management than pure hour generation.
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.
Legal recruiters help attorneys navigate lateral moves by matching candidates with firm opportunities, providing market intelligence, and managing the interview process. They're typically paid by firms on successful placements, making their services free for candidates.
Securities litigation offers strong compensation and steady demand, particularly at elite firms and boutiques. The practice combines complex financial analysis with high-stakes litigation, making it an attractive specialty for experienced commercial litigators.