We've placed 14 lawyers this year. What we've seen: there's a specific window for lateral moves that closes faster than most lawyers realize.

For associates, third to fifth year is peak mobility. If you're in your fifth year and thinking about exploring options, that's when you should actually start. Not later.

Economics Shift

Third to fifth year associates are the sweet spot for lateral moves. You're trained enough to deliver value. You're early enough to be investable. Your rates are still low enough to be staffed on a variety of matters.

After fifth year, the time to partnership changes significantly:

  • Third years have 5-6 years before partnership decisions as opposed to sixth years, who have 2-3.
  • That difference determines whether firms prioritize your current capabilities or your growth potential.

Growth Potential

Third years have 5-6 years before partnership decisions. Sixth years have 2-3.

That difference shapes how firms think about hiring. They're not just hiring for today. They're hiring for the next 5+ years. Law firms want associates they can grow with.

Skills Close

A fifth year litigator we just placed wanted to broaden her practice beyond her current specialty. She wanted to manage teams and gain exposure to different types of cases.

Firms were willing to invest in teaching her because she had runway before partnership.

If she'd been a seventh year, firms would have expected her to already have that broader skill set. They wouldn't have time to develop it.

Commitment Time

After fifth year, you're either committed or making a riskier move. You can still move after fifth year. But you're no longer in the peak mobility window.

If you've been thinking about exploring options, fifth year isn't when you should start thinking harder. It's when you should actually start exploring.

Key Takeaway

The key takeaway: third to fifth year is your peak mobility window. The economics work in your favor, firms want to invest in your growth, and skill-building opportunities are still available. After fifth year, the landscape changes significantly.

You're not too late. But waiting another year might be.

If you're a litigator and curious what opportunities might look like for your practice area and location, reach out. I'll walk you through what we're seeing in the market right now.