AmLaw 25 Returns to Growth in London As Litigation Partner Hiring Cools From 2025 Record
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