Navigating a Cooling Market for Government Attorneys Entering Big Law

Recent reporting from The National Law Journal highlights the current challenges government attorneys face when seeking to transition into Big Law - a market that, after months of heightened activity, has reached a natural point of recalibration.

As firms contend with year-end budget constraints and an influx of talent from federal agencies, recruiters across the industry are seeing a more selective approach to hiring. As Macrae Washington, DC Partner Lauren Drake noted in the article, “Firms have a certain number of investment dollars to spend on these [government] hires, and with there having been so many talented lawyers in the market for the first 10 months of this year, for the most part, the firms are done.”

While the near-term landscape may feel tight, this is not a reflection of diminishing long-term opportunity. Rather, it underscores a familiar market rhythm: when hiring cycles peak earlier in the year, firms tend to consolidate around strategic, high-impact hires - particularly those with specialized expertise or notable government experience.

For attorneys considering a move, understanding these dynamics - and timing - is key. Macrae’s Washington, DC team, which has long specialized in helping attorneys navigate the shift from public service to private practice, continues to see sustained interest in those with deep national security, regulatory, and enforcement experience.

Read the full article from Abigail Adcox for The National Law Journal here.

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For more insights, connect directly with Lauren Drake or reach out to our team at Macrae here.