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.
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.
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.
Moving from BigLaw to a quality employment boutique can be an excellent career move, especially given the robust demand for employment law expertise. While you'll likely take a short-term pay cut, the specialized experience and better work-life balance often lead to stronger long-term prospects.
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 is experiencing exceptional growth as a legal market, driven by major financial institutions and expanding firm presence. The market offers strong opportunities for corporate and financial services attorneys, with competitive compensation adjusted for significantly lower cost of living.
Private credit service partners represent borrowers and lenders in direct lending transactions outside traditional banking. This rapidly growing practice area offers strong compensation but demands deep technical skills and significant client development.
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.
Lateral salary increases typically range from 10-25%, but depend heavily on your current compensation level, target market, and practice area demand. Moving from below-market to market rate can yield higher bumps than lateral moves between comparable firms.
Lateral partner placement fees are typically paid entirely by the hiring firm, not the candidate. These fees usually range from 25-33% of first-year compensation and don't directly reduce your package, though they may influence firm negotiations.
Bankruptcy and restructuring associates handle a mix of transactional and litigation work, from due diligence and document drafting to court filings and creditor negotiations. The practice combines corporate finance skills with specialized bankruptcy law knowledge.
Seattle's tech concentration is creating distinctive employment litigation opportunities, from noncompete dynamics following Washington's 2020 ban to AI workplace issues and layoff litigation. The market offers strong compensation and unique subspecialties for experienced employment attorneys.
Building a portable book requires years of relationship investment, starting with your current in-house network and industry contacts. Focus on becoming a known expert in your practice area while systematically nurturing professional relationships that could generate referrals.
The transition from BigLaw to in-house can be excellent for work-life balance and business exposure, though it typically involves a 20-40% salary reduction initially. Charlotte's strong financial services sector offers robust in-house opportunities, particularly given Bank of America and Wells Fargo's headquarters presence.