BigLaw partner lateral moves involve extensive due diligence on portable business, client relationship verification, and detailed compensation negotiations. The process typically takes 3-6 months and requires careful timing around non-competes and client notifications.
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.
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.
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.
Private equity funds focusing on emerging companies create significant lateral opportunities for corporate attorneys. These funds drive demand for specialized legal services in M&A, securities, and regulatory compliance as their portfolio companies scale.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Before accepting a lateral partner opportunity, thoroughly investigate the partnership track timeline, portable book requirements, compensation structure, and firm culture. Focus on understanding both the written policies and unwritten expectations that will determine your success.
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.