Fast-Track Your Future: The Hidden Perks of Switching Firms
When attorneys make lateral moves between AmLaw 200 firms, something interesting happens: they often end up with more than just a new business card. Recent data shows lateral associates are being promoted to partnership at more than twice the rate of their peers who stay put. But here’s the real story—this isn’t just about firms randomly favoring new faces. It’s about how lateral moves create more well-rounded, valuable attorneys who naturally rise to the top.
Building a More Valuable Legal Toolkit
Each firm has its own way of handling matters, structuring deals, and managing client relationships. When you make a lateral move, you’re not just changing offices—you’re gaining exposure to different methodologies and best practices. This broader perspective makes you more valuable to your new firm and its clients. You bring fresh approaches to old problems and can spot opportunities that others might miss.
Expanding Your Client Relationships
One of the biggest advantages of lateral moves is the opportunity to work with a wider range of clients. While your original firm might have specialized in certain industries, your new firm could open doors to entirely different sectors. This diversification isn’t just good for your resume—it’s crucial for developing the kind of business acumen that firms look for in future partners.
The Network Effect
With each move, your professional network expands exponentially. You’re not just adding your new colleagues—you’re connecting with their entire professional networks too. Lateral attorneys who make partner often bring in more diverse client portfolios, likely due to their expanded networks and varied relationships.
Skill Development on Steroids
Different firms often have different strengths. A lateral move might expose you to:
More sophisticated deal structures
New practice area combinations
Different client service models
Advanced technological tools and systems
Varied management styles and firm cultures
This accelerated learning curve explains why laterals are often seen as stronger partnership candidates—they’ve simply been exposed to more.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Looking at recent trends:
Corporate practices saw a 6% increase in lateral partner promotions in 2024 (Pirical).
Over 10,000 partner moves occurred between 2020 and 2023 (Pirical).
Lateral partner moves in AmLaw 100 firms increased by 9% in 2024 compared to the previous year (Law.com).
Making Smart Moves
If you’re considering a lateral move, timing and strategy matter. The current market shows particularly high demand in major legal hubs like Chicago, Houston, LA, New York, and DC (Law.com). But beyond location, consider:
Practice area alignment with your long-term goals
The firm’s investment in professional development
Opportunities for client relationship building
Work-life balance and culture fit
The Partnership Connection
Here’s where it all comes together: lateral associates often make stronger partnership candidates precisely because of these accumulated advantages. They bring:
Diverse practice experience
Broader client exposure
Fresh perspectives on legal solutions
Expanded professional networks
Proven adaptability
The modern legal landscape rewards attorneys who can bring multiple perspectives to complex problems. Lateral moves, when planned strategically, help build exactly this kind of profile. While partnership opportunities are a compelling benefit of lateral moves, they’re really just the natural result of becoming a more well-rounded, experienced attorney.
