November 2, 2026: This week, law firm partner moves show investment in complex commercial litigation, financial services regulation, advertising and consumer protection, and commercial real estate.

Caroline McInnis, Esq. | Counseling Counsels LLC Law Firm Lateral Market for the week of October 12th-19th Firms across the country expanded last week with partners in private equity, financial services litigation, life sciences, regulatory compliance, and restructuring this week. Sidley recruited a Kirkland funds partner in Los Angeles, Mayer Brown added two FDA partners, and a five-attorney litigation team moved to Womble Bond Dickinson. Skadden also added a four-partner li

In 2026, law firm hiring has seen a rise in commercial litigation, AI and intellectual property, private credit and direct lending, data privacy and cybersecurity, corporate/M&A and private equity, labor and employment, bankruptcy and restructuring, and specialized real estate and infrastructure work. There are also newer, more specialized areas worth watching. AI and IP compliance is emerging as a distinct niche, data centers and infrastructure are creating work across sever