Law Firm Lateral Transfers: A Strategy for Growth and Success

   
Law firms often face the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive marketplace. One strategy for overcoming this challenge is the use of lateral transfers. A lateral transfer occurs when an attorney moves from one law firm to another, bringing their experience, expertise, and established client base. Lateral transfers can be a powerful tool for law firms looking to grow, expand their services, and compete in a changing legal landscape. For an up-to-date perspective on how market forces shape hiring and lateral movement, see The State of the Legal Market in 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Career Strategies. In this article, we will explore the benefits of lateral transfers for law firms and why they should consider this option as part of their growth strategy.

In today's legal marketplace, law firms are increasingly looking for creative ways to grow and succeed. One strategy that has gained popularity in recent years is lateral transfers - hiring attorneys from other firms.

While lateral transfers can be a great way to add new talent and expertise to your firm, they can also be quite complicated. In this blog post, we'll discuss the ins and outs of lateral transfers, including the benefits and challenges of this growth strategy. We'll also provide some tips on how to make sure your firm is successful in its pursuit of lateral transfer candidates.
 

• The growth strategy is evident in firms like Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP: Unveiling the Pathways to Success in Law, which leverage lateral talent to strengthen practice depth.

 

The Benefits of Lateral Transfer for Law Firms

Lateral transfer is an important aspect of the legal placement market, whereby attorneys move from one law firm to another for partnership prospects, increased access to a particular firm's services, or to take advantage of different practice areas and client bases. When taking part in the lateral hiring market, a law firm can benefit from the experience and knowledge that lateral transfer attorneys bring. This can enable the firm to strengthen its relationships and legal services while bringing access to a different client base. By taking advantage of the lateral move process and bringing attorneys with diverse backgrounds into partnership positions at your law firm, you can gain opportunities to further expand your distinctive services and scope of practice. This informative video about when to make a lateral move between law firms illustrates how aligning timing with opportunity can turn a career move into a true growth strategy. Understanding firm motivations is key — our Lateral Attorney Moves — Strategic Guide explains how attorneys can align with a firm’s growth strategy to increase their chances of success.
 

• Understanding the transfer process also means knowing the first steps—our After Resume Submission guide details exactly how we handle applications.

 

Expansion of Services and Expertise

One of the most significant benefits of lateral transfers is the ability to expand the services and expertise offered by a law firm. When new attorneys join the firm, they bring their unique skill set and experience, allowing them to offer their clients a broader range of services. For example, suppose a law firm specializes in corporate law but lacks experience in intellectual property law. In that case, a lateral transfer of an attorney with expertise in intellectual property can fill that gap. This allows the firm to expand its services and offer more comprehensive legal solutions to its clients. These strategies are also confirmed in the 2024 State of the Lateral Hiring Market, which documents how firms leverage talent to grow. For context on which practice areas are expected to grow fastest, explore Exploring the Future of Law: Top High-Growth Legal Practice Areas for 2023.
 

Immediate Increase in Business

Another benefit of lateral transfers is the immediate increase in business from a new attorney's established client base. When an attorney joins a new law firm, they bring the relationships they have built with clients, including the potential for new business. This can significantly boost the firm's bottom line, especially if the attorney is a recognized expert in the field. Furthermore, the new attorney can leverage their connections and relationships within the industry to bring in new business, further expanding the reach and influence of the law firm.
 

Improved Attractiveness to Clients

Lateral transfers can also improve a law firm's attractiveness to potential clients. When a law firm adds a new attorney with a strong reputation and track record, it sends a message to the market that it is committed to growth and providing top-notch legal services. Clients want to work with firms with a proven track record of success and are committed to staying ahead of the curve. By adding a high-quality attorney through a lateral transfer, law firms can position themselves as leading provider of legal services, increasing their competitiveness and appeal to clients. For a complete overview of practice-area and market shifts among lateral attorneys, read Attorney Lateral Movement: A Comprehensive Guide to Practice Area and Market Transitions.
 

• On the individual side, aligning with market shifts is equally important, which is detailed in our guide to attorney lateral movement across practice areas and markets.

 

Enhanced Reputation and Branding

Lateral transfers can also enhance a law firm's reputation and branding. When an attorney joins a new firm, they bring the recognition and prestige they have earned from their years of experience and success. This can contribute to the overall reputation and image of the law firm, making it more attractive to potential clients and other top-quality attorneys. In addition, lateral transfers can provide valuable exposure and media coverage, increasing the law firm's visibility and helping to build its brand.
 

Increased Attractiveness to Top Talent

Finally, lateral transfers can increase a law firm's attractiveness to top talent. When a law firm demonstrates a commitment to growing and expanding its services, it communicates to the legal community that it is a dynamic and innovative workplace. This can make the firm more appealing to top talent, especially if the new attorney is well-regarded and respected. By attracting high-quality attorneys, law firms can build a strong team of experienced and talented professionals, increasing their competitiveness and appeal to clients.
 

Steps for Making a Lateral Transfer Decision

While lateral transfers can be a powerful tool for law firms, it is important to approach this strategy cautiously. Several factors must be considered to ensure a successful lateral transfer.

Transferring lawyers, or lateral transfers, is a complex process for any law firm that executes well-thought-out steps accordingly. It begins with other firm associates researching to identify potential candidates with significant experience that could benefit the law firm. Recruiters may then be engaged to organize and execute an in-depth interview process and select the best-suited candidate who fulfills the career goals of both parties. As part of this process, other associates report their findings and offer feedback for evaluation purposes. In addition to this external recruitment activity, each summer months provide an opportunity for junior associates to make a lateral move within the same firm. This gives them added exposure and responsibility in their current job while allowing them to explore different options before making the final decision. When completed successfully and all appropriate parties are satisfied, lateral transfers offer mutual benefits, increasing job satisfaction while supporting long-term growth goals. To learn how firms address the most frequent hiring obstacles, see Overcoming Common Challenges in Law Firm Lateral Hiring: A Comprehensive Guide.
 

• For a broader look at how lateral transfers fit into an attorney’s career journey, check out The Complete Attorney Career Guide.

 

Due Diligence

Before making a lateral transfer, it is essential to perform due diligence on the new attorney. This includes evaluating their experience, expertise, and reputation in the legal community. It is also important to consider any potential conflicts of interest arising from the attorney's past work or client relationships. By performing due diligence, law firms can ensure that the new attorney will be a good fit for the firm and will bring value to the organization. For an in-depth discussion on why background checks and due diligence are vital in lateral recruitment, see Law Firm Lateral Hiring: The Importance of Due Diligence and Background Checks.
 

Integration into the Firm Culture

Another consideration for law firms is integrating the new attorney into the firm culture. A successful lateral transfer requires more than just bringing in a new attorney with expertise; it also involves integrating the new attorney into the existing team and establishing a strong working relationship. Law firms should have a plan for how the new attorney will be integrated into the firm and how they will work with the existing team. This may include regular check-ins, mentorship programs, and other initiatives to help the new attorney feel welcomed and valued within the organization. For a detailed checklist on preventing hiring missteps, explore Avoiding Common Mistakes When Hiring Laterals for Your Law Firm.
 

Alignment of Goals and Objectives

It is also important for law firms to align the goals and objectives of the new attorney with those of the firm. This includes discussing expectations for billable hours, client development, and other key performance indicators. By establishing clear goals and objectives, law firms can ensure that the new attorney is motivated and focused on achieving success for the firm.
 

Compensation and Benefits

Finally, law firms must consider compensation and benefits when making a lateral transfer. This includes negotiating a competitive salary, bonuses, and other benefits that align with the attorney's experience and expertise. Law firms should also consider any potential impacts on their existing team and ensure that the compensation and benefits offered to the new attorney are equitable and fair. For real-world expectations on compensation adjustments in lateral transitions, read Salary Realities in a Lateral Move. For guidance on how to strategically plan and execute a successful move, explore Navigating New Horizons: Mastering the Art of Lateral Moves in the Legal World.
 

• Attorneys who want to maximize growth should study mastering the art of lateral moves, a resource dedicated to aligning personal goals with firm strategy.

 

Advantages of Lateral Transfers in the Workplace

Lateral transfers can be a great asset to legal firms, as they bring increased experience and expertise, a fresh perspective, and an expanded network. Attorneys who move from one legal firm to another have usually already gained significant legal experience, often in more than one legal specialty. This makes them attractive prospective partners for a legal firm and offers access to different client bases. It also allows legal firms to take advantage of the fact that new law school graduates come in with very little legal knowledge or experience - by hiring laterals that have gained monetary and experiential rewards elsewhere. For insights on timing your move strategically, see Is it Better to Make a Lateral Move as a Senior Associate or as a Junior Partner?. By having lateral transfer attorneys on board in the legal firm, associates can learn from their experiential elements, which cannot be taught in law school – an invaluable benefit for the legal industry.
 

Tips for Successfully Implementing Lateral Transfers at Law Firms

When making a lateral move to another law firm, some tips can help ensure the transition is successful. The following are key points to consider:

• Setting up an in-house mentorship program to help new hires feel welcome and help them flourish.
• Outlining clear expectations from the beginning.
• Making sure potential partners understand how former associates can benefit their practice groups.
• Consulting with a legal recruiter to gain insight on what could be expected from making such a move.

Conclusion

Lateral transfers can be a powerful tool for law firms looking to grow and expand their services. By bringing in a new attorney with expertise and a proven track record, law firms can improve their competitiveness, reputation, and appeal to clients. However, it is essential to approach lateral transfers cautiously and consider the abovementioned factors to ensure a successful outcome. Law firms leveraging lateral transfers as part of their growth strategy will be well-positioned for success in an increasingly competitive legal marketplace.

Ultimately, success in lateral transfers depends on preparation and positioning—both of which are explored in 6 Secrets How to Get Hired Laterally in A Prestigious Law Firm.
 

• A clear example is Dechert, where building a successful career at Dechert LLP outlines how lateral hires and homegrown talent alike can thrive.

Lateral transfers can be an excellent way to bring new skills and perspectives into your law firm. When done correctly, they can help you expand your networks, gain new expertise, and improve your overall performance. To ensure that lateral transfers are successful at your firm, clearly define expectations, set up a mentorship program, and provide support throughout the transition. Have you experienced a successful lateral transfer at your firm? Share your story in the comments below. 

For attorneys planning a lateral transfer, Avoid These 10 Common Pitfalls to Stay Marketable as a Lateral Law Firm Attorney provides a detailed roadmap of mistakes to avoid.”