Private M&A: lateral monitor

From November 2025 to October 2026, Sartori & Partners recorded 1,126 lateral moves in Private M&A. Year on year the count held level (1,160 to 1,150 on settled windows, -0.9%). That trails the wider market, which moved +9.0%.

Over the three years to October 2026, 3,209 lawyers moved in Private M&A, 1,242 of them partners (38.7%). They joined 412 different firms. 12.4% stepped up a level on the move and 21.7% changed city, against 12.3% and 21.6% across the market over the same three years. 65.8% came from firms with 1,000+ lawyers.

Partners make up 38.8% of arrivals, against 27.7% across the market: a partner-heavy flow. Year on year partner moves alone held level (446 to 441 on settled windows, -1.1%). A step up in title came with 12.4% of moves (market 12.9%).

279 firms hired at least one lateral in Private M&A in the window. Ten firms account for 24.5% of arrivals, against 12.9% across the market: moderately concentrated. Latham & Watkins ranks first by lateral arrivals, in the 41-60 band.

New York ranks first among destination cities with 14.9% of arrivals, followed by London (13.2%). A change of city came with 20.3% of moves (market 20.5%).

Group moves were 0.4% of the total (market 1.5%).

There were 701 open roles in Private M&A on law-firm career pages on November 11, 2026.

With volume in Private M&A 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 4,302 dated deals in Private M&A in the 12 months to October 2026 and 11,786 over the three years to October 2026.

M&A work is involved in 88.4% of them and Private equity in 8.0%.

By client industry, Technology & Software comes first with 16.3%.

CMS ranks first among advising firms over the period, in the 401-700 band.