AmLaw 25 Firms Increased Antitrust Hiring
Top law firms recorded 19 net partner gains across major hubs through September 2026.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Employment
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AmLaw 25 firms achieved a net gain of 19 antitrust partners in the first nine months of 2026, outpacing the 15 net gains recorded in each of the two previous years. This hiring surge reflects a competitive labor market for experienced competition litigators and transactional antitrust experts.
Why it matters
Law firms are aggressively scaling their antitrust capabilities to handle increasing merger work, competition disputes, and the integration of departing government attorneys. This shift highlights the growing demand for specialized legal talent capable of navigating complex regulatory environments.
AmLaw 25 firms recorded 56 total partner moves from January through September 2026, with Washington, DC leading the market at 26 moves. Government-to-private-practice shifts accounted for 31% of the total movement in Washington.
The players
AmLaw 25
This ranking identifies the 25 highest-grossing law firms in the United States.
Macrae
This is a global legal search firm that tracks hiring trends and partner movements within the legal industry.
The details
Firms are recruiting through lateral moves and government transitions to meet specific regional demands, such as transactional antitrust work in New York and litigation in London. While Washington remains a central hub for talent, hiring in London faces ongoing constraints due to client conflicts and strict fee expectations.
Timeline
January 2024 - December 2024: Firms recorded 15 net antitrust partner gains.
January 2025 - December 2025: Firms recorded 15 net antitrust partner gains.
January 2026 - September 2026: Firms recorded 19 net partner gains across four cities.
October 2026: Macrae published the Transatlantic Antitrust report.
2027: Merger activity is expected to sustain high demand for lawyers.
Macro View
The current hiring surge follows a pattern of steady growth in partner movement previously established by the Macrae Transatlantic Antitrust report. This trend mirrors historical cycles where regulatory activity drives demand for specialized counsel across global financial centers.
Corporate clients may experience changes in legal representation costs as firms compete for elite talent in specialized antitrust fields. Increased partner movement can also shift the availability of specific subject-matter experts for businesses involved in large-scale mergers or disputes.
The takeaway
The rise in partner movement signals that major law firms are prioritizing high-level expertise to navigate an evolving global regulatory landscape. Clients should expect firms to continue investing in specialized talent as competition for experienced legal counsel remains intense.
Further reading
For more information on current trends in professional staffing, visit our Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by International Comparative Legal Guides International Business Reports.
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