The AmLaw 25 has recorded its first net gain in London litigation partners since 2022, adding a net six in 2026 to date*, according to new Macrae+ data. That follows net losses in each of the previous three years, including six in 2025. The rest of the AmLaw 50 has moved the other way, with AmLaw 26-50 firms losing a net 10 partners, their steepest decline in the dataset.
King & Spalding’s six additions defines this 2026 trend. That is double the next-highest firms, DWF and Clyde & Co, which added three partners each and were also among the top hirers in 2025.
UK firms are split. The Lawyer UK 15 has recorded a net loss of four partners, its fourth consecutive year of net decline. Firms ranked 16-50 have added a net five, extending a run of net gains every year since 2021.
Overall, litigation partner moves in London have slowed from last year’s record pace with 2026 on course to finish closer to 2021-2024 levels. There were 54 moves across AmLaw 50 and The Lawyer UK 50 firms in 2026 to date, compared with a high of 95 in 2025.
Market Dynamics
International arbitration leads practice area demand: It accounted for 21% of moves in 2026 to date, its highest share in the dataset, helped in part by King & Spalding’s team hire from WilmerHale.
Commercial litigation has rebounded: Its share rose to 16% of moves, up from 9% in both 2024 and 2025 and matching its 2021 high.
Laterals still drive the market: 42 of the 54 moves were firm-to-firm. Moves from in-house into private practice have already exceeded the 2025 total, with three recorded so far.
Women’s share of moves has fallen to a new low: Women accounted for 30% of litigation partner moves in 2026 to date, down from 32% in 2025 and 42% in 2022.
Outlook
Disputes will remain a hedge for firms: Demand is expected to stay robust as firms guard against any downturn in transactional work. Established partners with strong personal profiles and a record of leading major cases will continue to attract interest.
US firms will keep building in London: Further lateral investment is expected across the AmLaw 50. Firms will focus particularly on versatile litigators who can move between different types of big-ticket cases.
Competition, banking and arbitration will stay in demand: There are also early signs that firms are preparing for an uptick in financial services and white-collar investigations, both of which have been quieter in recent years.
Note to editors
*2026 year to date encompasses January to August 2026