New York: lateral market monitor

Sartori & Partners data show 2,083 lateral moves in New York from November 2025 to October 2026, 14.8% of all lateral moves we tracked. On settled windows the count went from 1,862 to 2,084, up 11.9% year on year. The market as a whole moved +9.0%, a similar pace.

The level mix sits close to the market: partners are 28.3% of arrivals, against 27.7% market-wide. On settled 12-month windows partner moves alone showed no clear change: 560 against 540 (+3.7%). 11.6% of movers stepped up a level when they changed firm, against 12.9% for the market.

Lateral hires in New York were spread across 310 firms. Ten firms account for 21.5% of arrivals, against 12.9% across the market: moderately concentrated. First on the hiring table is Kirkland & Ellis, with arrivals in the 61-100 band.

By practice, Litigation & Disputes comes first, involved in 35.2% of arrivals here (39.9% across the market). More lawyers left New York for another city (248) than moved in from one (189). A change of city came with 10.9% of moves (market 20.5%).

1.3% of moves came as part of a group, against 1.5% market-wide. In-house roles drew 153 lawyers in the last 6 months, 13 per 100 lateral moves (market 13.1).

For a firm hiring in New York, a rising market means candidates have options: move quickly once a shortlist exists.