Law.com International Explores How Big Law Is Reshaping Itself Amid Surging Talent and Deal Activity
Law.com International has published an in-depth analysis by Lisa Shuchman examining how global law firms are navigating a period of intense lateral hiring, record partner promotions and sustained transactional activity - without the disruption often associated with major structural change. The piece highlights how firms are expanding and restructuring strategically rather than “tearing down the house,” even as they respond to geopolitical uncertainty, shifting markets and unprecedented deal flow.
The article references multiple hiring and growth trends across the US, Europe, and Asia, with notable activity in litigation, funds, energy and infrastructure, and corporate practices. Among the findings is the significant rise in disputes partner hiring in the UK: 35 litigation partners have moved in London so far in 2025, compared with 34 in all of 2024 and just 22 in 2020, based on data from Macrae’s latest Litigation in London report. This follows wider momentum in collective actions, global arbitration and regulatory enforcement work.
Shuchman also highlights the scale of ongoing partner promotions and associate hiring at major firms - from Kirkland’s record partner class to Freshfields’ largest-ever US intake - alongside a surge in multibillion-dollar cross-border deals that continue to drive demand for top global talent.
Read the full article from Lisa Schuchman for Law.com International here.
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For more insights, reach out directly to our team at Macrae here.
