Plug-and-Play Talent Remains a Priority as Firms Navigate a Measured Deal Environment
While the broader transactional market continues to recover at a measured pace, elite law firms are maintaining momentum by hiring strategically - with a clear focus on lateral partners who offer immediate impact.
As The American Lawyer reports, Latham & Watkins has added New York-based transactions partner Thomas Lee from Fried Frank, strengthening its asset management M&A and GP stakes bench. The move reflects a growing trend: firms seeking cross-border capabilities and niche expertise under one roof as deal structures become more complex.
The article also references recent insights from Macrae’s New York Private Equity report, which found that only nine PE partner moves were recorded in 2025 H1 - down from 28 in all of 2024. Yet despite the quieter market, firms are still prioritizing proven, plug-and-play talent, especially in high-growth subsectors.
The current hiring landscape may reflect a “wait-and-see” attitude among candidates - but indicators such as rising deal value and continued partner movement suggest long-term confidence in the market’s direction.
Read the full article from Andrew Maloney for The American Lawyer here.
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