Government Lateral Moves Surge Ahead of Inauguration Day

With the inauguration just days away, the legal industry is seeing a notable surge in government attorneys transitioning to Big Law. A recent National Law Journal article by Abigail Adcox highlights this trend, pointing to major hires across firms such as Weil, Gotshal & Manges; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

From antitrust litigators to white-collar specialists, these lateral moves underscore a dynamic period of talent flow within the legal market, particularly in Washington, D.C.

Rachel Nonaka, a partner in our Washington, D.C. office, commented:

“It is truly remarkable how many phone calls we are getting and how many candidates we have on the market right now. I mean, honestly, I have not seen anything like this.”

The incoming administration is also influencing decision-making among government attorneys, with recent nominations and withdrawals adding to the momentum of departures. As firms continue to strengthen their practices with top-tier talent, the impact on the broader legal landscape is worth watching closely.

Read the full article by Abigail Adcox for The National Law Journal.

Note: This article is behind a paywall, and a subscription may be required to access the full content.

For more insights connect with Rachel Nonaka or reach out to our team at Macrae.