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.
Employment law partners typically need $1-3M in portable business for lateral moves, though demand varies by market and specialty. PAGA expertise and wage-hour class action experience can reduce these thresholds significantly.
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.
Seattle's employment law market is dominated by regional powerhouses like Perkins Coie, Davis Wright Tremaine, and Lane Powell, with unique opportunities in tech employment law driven by Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. The market offers strong growth potential but requires understanding of Washington's distinctive employment regulations.
Labor and employment partners typically need $1-3M in portable business for lateral moves, though requirements vary significantly by market and firm tier. Strong client relationships and specialized expertise can sometimes offset lower book numbers.
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.
Legal recruiters typically charge law firms 25-33% of the placed candidate's first-year total compensation. Partner-level placements often command higher percentages due to complexity and revenue potential.
Moore & Van Allen is Charlotte's premier regional firm, particularly strong in banking, financial services, and corporate law due to its proximity to Bank of America and Wells Fargo headquarters. The firm dominates the local market in commercial real estate and maintains solid litigation capabilities.
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.
BigLaw associates handle sophisticated transactions and litigation with significant client responsibility, billing 1,900-2,400+ hours annually. Work varies dramatically by practice area, from M&A due diligence to complex commercial litigation, with clear advancement tracks to counsel and partnership.
Law firm partners typically split profits through compensation systems based on originations, billable hours, and firm contributions. Most firms use either lockstep, eat-what-you-kill, or hybrid models that balance individual performance with collaborative firm building.
Law firm partnership offers significant financial rewards through equity participation and profit sharing, plus professional autonomy, business development opportunities, and long-term wealth building potential. However, partners also assume substantial business risks and client responsibility.
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.
Wyoming's employment law market is limited but stable, driven primarily by energy sector needs and general business litigation. Most sophisticated work flows to larger Colorado or Utah firms, making it better suited for attorneys seeking smaller practice environments.