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.
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.
The Charlotte move likely makes financial sense when adjusted for cost of living, with senior associates earning $280K-$320K versus NYC's $435K+ but gaining 40%+ lower expenses. Partnership timelines are often faster in Charlotte's growing market.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Top Indian law firms like Khaitan & Co typically offer competitive compensation packages that vary significantly based on experience level and practice area. International firms in India generally pay 20-40% premiums over domestic firms, while partnership tracks differ substantially between traditional Indian firms and global practices.
BigLaw junior associate salaries follow the Cravath scale, with first-years earning $215,000 and second-years making $235,000 at top firms. Regional markets like Charlotte and Seattle may offer 10-20% adjustments, but cost of living differences often favor these markets.
Plaintiff-side employment litigation focuses on representing employees in discrimination, wage disputes, and wrongful termination cases, often working on contingency with higher risk/reward. Defense-side represents employers, offers steadier billable hour income, and involves more regulatory compliance and risk mitigation work.