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.
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.
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.
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.
Seattle offers higher attorney salaries but significantly higher housing costs, while Portland provides a lower cost of living but fewer BigLaw opportunities. Tax differences and lifestyle factors also impact the real value of compensation packages.
Non-equity partners receive fixed compensation and limited firm governance, while equity partners share in firm profits and have ownership stakes. The choice depends on your book of business, risk tolerance, and long-term career goals.
Choose a substantive, well-written sample from your current practice area that showcases analytical thinking and clear writing. Most firms prefer 5-10 page excerpts from briefs, memoranda, or opinion letters over transactional documents.
Charlotte's IP transactional market is surprisingly robust, driven by the city's fintech boom and major corporate headquarters. While deal sizes may be smaller than Silicon Valley, the work is sophisticated and the market is growing rapidly.
Investment management and funds law is experiencing robust growth driven by record private equity activity, new regulatory frameworks, and expanding alternative investment strategies. Demand is particularly strong in major financial centers and firms are actively recruiting experienced practitioners.
The litigation-to-transactional switch is challenging but achievable, especially for mid-level associates with strong analytical skills. Success depends on timing, market positioning, and willingness to potentially step back in seniority initially.
Intellectual property presents excellent lateral opportunities for partnership-minded attorneys, driven by consistent client demand, specialized expertise requirements, and strong economics. However, success requires strategic positioning and often additional technical credentials.
Law firms evaluate lateral partners primarily on portable book of business, client relationships, and practice area fit. While revenue generation is crucial, firms also consider cultural alignment, team leadership ability, and strategic value to the firm's growth plans.
Seattle offers strong work-life balance opportunities for attorneys, driven by tech industry culture and regional firms that prioritize sustainable practices. Corporate lawyers find good opportunities at regional powerhouses and tech-focused firms with competitive compensation adjusted for the market.
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.