London: lateral market monitor

Sartori & Partners data show 1,302 lateral moves in London from November 2025 to October 2026, 9.2% of all lateral moves we tracked. On settled windows the count went from 1,387 to 1,353 (-2.5%), which we read as flat. That trails the wider market, which moved +9.0%.

The level mix sits close to the market: partners are 29.3% of arrivals, against 27.7% market-wide. On settled windows partner moves alone went from 384 to 389 (+1.3%), which we read as flat. 11.5% of movers stepped up a level when they changed firm, against 12.9% for the market.

Lateral hires in London were spread across 180 firms. The ten firms at the head of the hiring table took 22.8% of arrivals (12.9% market-wide), so hiring here is moderately concentrated. Latham & Watkins ranks first by lateral arrivals, in the 21-40 band.

By practice, Banking & Finance comes first, involved in 24.8% of arrivals here (13.9% across the market). More lawyers moved into London from another city (153) than left it for one (128). 15.2% of movers also changed city, against 20.5% market-wide.

Group moves were 1.3% of the total (market 1.5%). In-house roles drew 78 lawyers in the last 6 months, 12.3 per 100 lateral moves (market 13.1).

With volume in London holding level, a hire depends on a specific reason to move, which a firm has to put in front of the candidate.