Intellectual Property in London: lateral monitor

Sartori & Partners data show 54 lateral moves in Intellectual Property in London from November 2025 to October 2026, 5.2% of the practice's moves. On settled 12-month windows the count showed no clear change: 55 against 56 (-1.8%). That trails the wider market, which moved +9.0%.

Over the three years to October 2026, 155 lawyers moved in Intellectual Property in London, 48 of them partners (31.0%). They joined 66 different firms. 11.0% stepped up a level on the move and 15.3% changed city, against 12.3% and 21.6% across the market over the same three years. 64.2% came from firms with 1,000+ lawyers.

Partners account for 31.5% of movers, near the market's 27.7%.

The 12-month firm table is below our naming threshold, so this part reads the three years to October 2026. 66 firms hired at least one lateral in Intellectual Property in London in the window. The ten firms at the head of the hiring table took 37.0% of arrivals (12.2% market-wide), so hiring here is concentrated. Mishcon de Reya ranks first by lateral arrivals, in the 6-10 band.

The practice accounts for 4.1% of all lateral moves in London. Over the three years to October 2026, 64.5% of movers came from another firm in London itself. A change of city came with 13.6% of moves (market 20.5%).

For a firm planning a hire in Intellectual Property in London, a flat market means candidates are not being pulled by a wave: the case for a move has to come from the platform.

Sartori & Partners data count 38 dated deals in Intellectual Property in London in the 12 months to October 2026 and 110 over the three years to October 2026.

Other work is involved in 40.0% of them and Disputes & investigations in 36.4%.

By client industry, Pharma & Biotech comes first with 49.1%.

Ropes & Gray ranks first among advising firms over the period, in the 11-20 band.

Over the three years to October 2026, Trademarks & Brands was involved in 23.2% of moves in Intellectual Property in London, then Copyright with 21.9%.