Public Law & Government in Washington, DC: lateral monitor

In the Sartori & Partners lateral record, 77 lawyers joined a new firm in Public Law & Government in Washington, DC from November 2025 to October 2026, 26.0% of the practice's moves. On settled windows the count went from 69 to 76 (+10.1%), a change inside the noise of the two counts, so we read it as flat.

Over the three years to October 2026, 198 lawyers moved in Public Law & Government in Washington, DC, 93 of them partners (47.0%). They joined 94 different firms. 15.2% stepped up a level on the move and 4.9% changed city, against 12.3% and 21.6% across the market over the same three years. 55.9% came from firms with 1,000+ lawyers.

Partners make up 49.4% of arrivals, against 27.7% across the market: a partner-heavy flow. On settled windows partner moves alone went from 36 to 38 (+5.6%), a change inside the noise of the two counts, so we read it as flat. A step up in title came with 16.9% of moves (market 12.9%).

The 12-month firm table is below our naming threshold, so this part reads the three years to October 2026. Lateral hires in Public Law & Government in Washington, DC were spread across 94 firms. Ten firms account for 25.9% of arrivals, against 12.2% across the market: moderately concentrated. First on the hiring table is Holland & Knight, with arrivals in the 6-10 band.

The practice accounts for 9.7% of all lateral moves in Washington, DC. Over the three years to October 2026, 77.8% of movers came from another firm in Washington, DC itself. 7.4% of movers also changed city, against 20.5% market-wide.

With volume in Public Law & Government in Washington, DC holding level, a hire depends on a specific reason to move, which a firm has to put in front of the candidate.

Sartori & Partners data count 203 dated deals in Public Law & Government in Washington, DC in the 12 months to October 2026 and 537 over the three years to October 2026.

Disputes & investigations work is involved in 78.4% of them and M&A in 10.4%.

By client industry, Nonprofits & Charities comes first with 17.1%.

Morrison & Foerster ranks first among advising firms over the period, in the 41-60 band.

Over the three years to October 2026, Government Contracts & Procurement was involved in 42.4% of moves in Public Law & Government in Washington, DC, then Administrative & Constitutional Law with 13.6%.