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AmLaw 200 firms increased lateral hiring in 2025, with activity weighted toward experienced lawyers.
According to a AmLaw 200 Hiring Report (2025) by Firm Prospects, law firms recorded 13,214 non-entry-level lateral hires, the highest total since the post-pandemic peak of 2021–2022 and a clear increase on 2024.
(Non-entry-level lateral hires include lateral associates, counsel, and partners hired from outside a firm, and exclude trainees, summer associates, and lawyers joining directly from law school).
Partner Hiring Reaches a Five-Year High
Partner hiring was the strongest growth area in 2025, reaching 3,009 lateral partner hires, a 10% increase year-on-year.
Practice areas driving partner hiring:
- Litigation: 26% of all partner hires
- Corporate: 16%
This reflects continued investment in disputes capability, alongside selective growth in transactional practices where demand supports it.
Most active firms at partner level:
- Kirkland & Ellis – 116 partner hires
- Lewis Brisbois – 92 partner hires
Kirkland & Ellis led the market by a significant margin, hiring more than 25% more partners than the second-ranked firm.
Government-to-Firm Hiring Feeds Litigation and Regulatory Practices
Government sources accounted for 270 partner hires, representing 9% of total partner recruitment.
The largest contributors were:
- U.S. Attorney’s Office – 67 hires
- Department of Justice – 50 hires
This hiring disproportionately fed litigation, white-collar, investigations, and regulatory practices.
Geographically:
- New York: 606 partner hires (highest nationally)
- Washington, D.C.: 469 partner hires (second highest)
The strength of Washington, D.C. reflects sustained demand for federal enforcement and regulatory experience.
Associate Hiring Picks Up, Led by Litigation and Elite Transactional Firms
Associate hiring increased to 7,686 hires, up 5% year-on-year, continuing the recovery from the 2023 correction.
Practice areas with strongest associate demand:
- Litigation
- Private Equity and Corporate
- Funds and Finance
Most active associate-level recruiters:
- Kirkland & Ellis – 279 hires
- Latham & Watkins – 215 hires
Large litigation platforms ranked alongside elite transactional firms, indicating balanced demand across contentious and deal-driven practices.
Hiring Mix Highlights Strategic Focus on Experience
Of the 13,214 non-entry-level lateral hires recorded in 2025:
- 58% were associates
- 23% were partners
- 15% were counsel
- 4% were other experienced roles
Market Takeaway
The 2025 AmLaw 200 hiring data points to a measured but confident lateral market.
Firms are prioritising:
- Litigation and regulatory strength
- Selective corporate and transactional growth
- Senior talent with proven experience
Source: AmLaw 200 Hiring Report, 2025 by Firm Prospects
