Washington DC: Partner Lateral Market - 2026 Q1 in Review

DC recorded 113 partner moves in 2026 Q1, broadly flat against 2025 Q1 - and significantly above the 85 recorded in 2024 Q1. Annual volume has grown from 297 moves in 2024 to 392 in 2025, and Q1 2026 is holding at that higher level.

The practice area mix shifted more sharply than in any prior quarter in the dataset. Government & Public Policy reached its highest Q1 share on record. IP & Technology more than doubled its Q1 share. Energy & Environment and White Collar both fell sharply. The pattern is consistent with lawyers exiting government roles and a market responding to changed federal priorities.

Barnes & Thornburg and Taft led Q1 gross additions by a significant margin - an unusual result in a market typically dominated by the largest AmLaw firms.

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