The National Law Journal Explores Why More Government Lawyers Are Opting for Boutiques

The National Law Journal has published an article by Abigail Adcox examining a notable shift in the post-government career paths of former DOJ and federal agency lawyers. While Big Law has long been the traditional landing spot, 2025 has seen a growing number of senior prosecutors and government officials choosing to join - or launch - boutique litigation and investigations firms in Washington, DC, and New York.

The article outlines several dynamics driving this trend: boutiques offering greater flexibility in taking on sensitive or politically charged matters, fewer conflict constraints, and more closely aligned values for some practitioners. At the same time, Big Law’s capacity to absorb high-level government talent has tightened after a surge of prosecutorial hires during the presidential transition.

Macrae’s Peggy Bennett, based in Washington, DC, provides insight into why Big Law hiring has slowed for certain profiles, noting that shifts in enforcement priorities have made it more challenging for firms to forecast demand in white-collar practices.

As boutique benches continue to grow - and as more enter the market - the article considers how they may compete with Big Law for future high-stakes matters, and how durable this trend may be once the political climate evolves.

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

Please note: A subscription may be required to access the full article.

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