BigLaw Lateral Hires Surpass Entry-Level for First Time in 2025
Lateral associates accounted for 51.4% of Am Law 200 associate hires in 2025.
Why it matters: This shift means law firms prioritize experienced lateral hires over entry-level graduates, affecting career planning and in-house hiring strategies. Firms adapting to AI and automation now focus on senior talent, altering legal staffing dynamics.
- Lateral associate hiring grew 12.2% in 2025, while entry-level associate hiring rose only 0.12%.
- Lateral associates made up 51.4% of all associate hires in 2025, surpassing entry-level for the first time since 2022.
- On-campus recruiting offers dropped 44% in 2025, with a median of six law school interview offers—lowest recorded by NALP.
- AI-experienced lateral attorney hires increased 68% in 2025; AI-specialized associate hiring rose 106% year-over-year.
In 2025, BigLaw firms in the Am Law 200 favored lateral associate hires over entry-level lawyers, with lateral hires accounting for 51.4% of all associate recruitment, surpassing entry-level hiring for the first time since 2022. This data comes from SurePoint's 2025 State of the Legal Industry Report.
Lateral associate hiring rose by 12.2% in 2025, while entry-level hiring increased a marginal 0.12%. The shift reflects firms’ preference for experienced lawyers who can contribute immediately without extensive on-the-job training. This is coupled with a 44% decline in on-campus recruiting offers in 2025, with a median of only six offers extended through traditional law school interview programs, the lowest in recorded history according to data from NALP.
Early 2026 figures show this trend accelerating: large U.S. firms added 3,521 lateral attorneys in Q1, a 5.5% increase year-over-year, while lateral partner hiring rose 9.4% to 979 moves, marking a six-year high. New York alone reported 186 lateral partner moves between Am Law 100 and leading UK firms, a three-year peak indicating intense competition in key legal markets.
Technology also reshapes hiring priorities. Lateral hires with AI expertise grew 68% in 2025, and AI-focused associate roles increased 106% year-over-year. Mid-sized firms reported 63% adoption of AI tools by 2025, automating tasks like legal research and document review, traditionally done by junior associates. Consequently, firms increased overall talent spending by 8.2%, focusing on senior lateral lawyers and AI specialists rather than expanding entry-level classes.
Recruitment diversity is changing as well. In 2025, associates from T-14 law schools—the top 14 ranked by U.S. News—comprised only about one-third of entry-level hires, down from 47% in 2015. Notably, associates from non-T-14 schools showed higher retention rates (53.8%) compared to 49% for T-14 grads, suggesting broader recruiting can improve workforce stability.
These trends signal a major shift in law firm hiring and career planning amid rapid technological disruption and evolving market competition. A leading legal recruiter described 2026 as "on fire" for lateral partner hiring, underscoring the fierce race for experienced talent in today’s legal ecosystem.
By the numbers:
- 51.4% — 2025 lateral associate share of all associate hires in Am Law 200 firms
- 44% — decline in on-campus recruiting offers in 2025 (NALP data)
- 106% — year-over-year rise in AI-focused associate hiring in 2025
Yes, but: Although SurePoint's report drives many insights, independent sources like NALP confirm the drop in on-campus offers, strengthening data reliability. However, lateral hiring variance may differ in smaller or non-Am Law firms.
What's next: Expect continued growth in AI-specialist hires and lateral recruitment through 2026 as firms adjust to automation. Watch for further diversity in school recruiting and retention data in upcoming reports.