Chicago: promotions and time to partner

From June 2025 to May 2026, 145 lawyers were promoted to partner in Chicago, according to Sartori & Partners data. Promotions are confirmed about five months late, so this window ends earlier than the lateral figures. Over the same 12 months that is 0.94 promotions for every lateral partner hired, against 0.79 across the market: more of the partner bench here is made than bought.

Across five years of promotions, the median time from first year of practice to partner is 10.0 years, with the middle half between 8.0 years and 11.0 years. The market median is also 10.0 years. The median rests on 613 promotions.

Year on year lateral partner moves in Chicago held level (163 to 159 on settled windows, -2.5%).

Firms in Chicago lean on internal promotion; a lateral partner here is an exception to plan and justify.