TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Apr 9, 2025

Lateral hiring at law firms rebounded in 2024, with overall hiring up nearly 14%, according to the National Association for Law Placement’s 2024 Lateral Hiring Survey. The increase follows a two-year downturn and includes a significant rise in lateral associate hiring, which surged by almost 25%. According to the report, partner lateral hiring saw a 2% increase, while other lateral lawyer categories remained flat. Smaller firms, which appeared to capitalize on a reduction in lateral hiring by larger firms in 2022-2023, experienced a reversal in 2024, with hiring down 11%. Firms of more than 1,000 lawyers saw a 21% increase in hiring. The survey also revealed a continued trend toward remote hiring flexibility, though fully remote lateral hires remain rare. According to the National Jurist, legal experts note that the shift in hiring patterns reflects broader market adjustments, with large firms re-entering the market and smaller firms facing challenges competing for top talent.