National Law Journal: Macrae Analysis Shows 2022 Partner Hiring in D.C. Approaching Pre-Pandemic Levels

Macrae’s robust research team closely tracks lateral partner activity across our markets, including Washington, D.C. National Law Journal Reporter Bruce Love dove into our Beltway-focused data and spoke with Partner Lauren Drake and Managing Director Justine Donahue for insight into what it reveals.

On the numbers:

Data from Leopard Solutions analyzed by legal recruiters at Macrae seem to indicate the 2022 market in the Nation’s Capital looks much more like the 2019 market than the previous two years of disruption.

Based on current move volume at Am Law 200 firms for the past three quarters, Macrae analysts are anticipating full-year figures to be in the order of 312 total laterals, of which 41 will come from government positions and 38% will be women.

…

So far this year there have been 234 total lateral moves at Am Law 200 firm offices in D.C., including 31 from the government, and 38% of those moves have been women.

Last year saw a total of 436 lateral moves—a 72% increase from 2020—of which 105 (28%) were from the government and 26% were women.

…With such extraordinary events in 2020 and 2021, the 2022 lateral market can be more accurately compared to pre-pandemic, nonelection 2019, said the analysts. That year saw 326 total moves in D.C., with 52 from the government and women comprising 30% of total moves.”

On the longer placement process for government lawyers:

Government hires are always “investment hires,” said Drake, since government lawyers do not come with a book of business.

“These are investment dollars, and firms seem to be a little more cautious. Our candidates are getting jobs, but it is taking longer,” said Drake, adding that in the past there was often a veritable “food fight” based on their position in government and reputation—many firms and multiple offers. “Now, they’re getting three interviews and one offer. We are seeing that pretty consistently. We’re ultimately placing them, but they have fewer choices, and it’s taking longer.”

On the increased activity by female partners:

Drake said she is seeing more women candidates expressing a desire to move firms or from government roles. And she believes part of the reason for this shift is related to women attorneys’ experience of the pandemic.

“There are some shifts in how women are thinking about work—greater flexibility, which is particularly important for women with children,” said Drake, adding that women are feeling like they have more authority or power over how they want their lives to be. “This makes them more open to moving.”

On what to expect in the year ahead:

“We’re in good shape for 2023,” said Donahue, adding she was “not at all concerned” about the impact on the Beltway lateral market of any potential recession.

“The thing we have going for us in the D.C. lateral partner market is the strong focus on regulatory-oriented practices. With a Democratic administration and post-pandemic environment, activity in those spaces is at an all-time high. It’s a great time to be an antitrust lawyer, an SEC lawyer, an environmental lawyer and many more. Regs and enforcement is the bread and butter of D.C., and activity in those practice areas is not stopping anytime soon.”

We encourage you to read the article in full here: Beltway Hiring Returns to Pre-Pandemic, Nonelection Norms … Almost