This is the latest update on lateral partner and counsel moves in the Washington, D.C. area. The data included in these reports is primarily derived from Firm Prospects LLC. For more details and analysis, please contact TMG’s Steve Nelson (snelson@tmg-dc.com) or Dave Ris (dris@tmg-dc.com).
For the second straight month, lateral movement decreased in July. A total of 56 moves were reported, down from 64 in June and 93 in May. A dramatic decrease in hiring from the government was a major factor in the decrease, as only six such moves were reported. (On the other hand, hiring from the corporate sector increased in July, with seven hires.)
Two practice groups moved in July. One was a cross-border finance group that moved to Morrison & Foerster from Allen & Overy, while the other was a patent prosecution team that moved from Dentons to Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton. Several other firms reported multiple hires in July: Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld; Barnes & Thornburg; Foley Hoag; Goodwin Procter; Greenberg Traurig; Kirkland & Ellis; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; and Quarles & Brady.
Just under 30 percent of the laterals were women, but unlike the general trend we’ve been seeing in recent months, 11 of the 16 (68.8 percent) came in as partners. That contrasted with 25 out of 40 (62.5%) of men who joined their new firms as partners.
In terms of practice area, Litigation and Intellectual Property once again led the way, with 8 moves apiece. Other active areas included Banking/Finance (5 moves), Antitrust (4), SEC/CFTC Enforcement (3), Corporate (3), Tax (3), Environmental (3), and White Collar/Investigations (3).
