Partner Promotions Signal Law Firm Growth Goals for 2025

The start of 2025 has brought an intriguing trend in the legal industry: several Am Law 200 firms are announcing record-sized partner promotion classes. This development, as highlighted in a recent article by The American Lawyer, reflects firms’ strategies to retain top talent, strengthen business development opportunities, and meet ambitious growth targets.

At Macrae, we’re closely observing these shifts. Julieta Stubrin, Managing Director in our Bay Area office, offers a unique perspective. Having spent over 15 years in law firm recruitment before transitioning to her current role at Macrae, Julieta has seen firsthand how internal promotions can shape a firm’s culture and trajectory.

“When I first started recruiting in law firms, there was no lateral partner movement—you joined a firm, and that was it. Now, firms need to work harder than ever to retain talent. Promoting partners from within can signal a firm’s health and success while empowering lawyers with the partner title to build valuable business relationships. A partner title is also seen as critical for business development, which can drive revenue and enhance the perception of a firm’s success.”

This evolving approach to partner promotions demonstrates how firms are aligning their talent strategies with long-term goals for growth and competitiveness in a dynamic legal market.

Read the full article by Samson Amore for The American Lawyer.

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

For more insights connect with Julieta Stubrin or reach out to our team at Macrae.