As vaccinations rise, trials resume, and capital is deployed, demand for legal talent is back near pre-Covid levels.  There were 4,107 lateral moves in Q1 nationally, short of 2020’s highwater mark of 4,366 but north of the 5 yr avg of 3,759. Litigation (36%) and corporate (18%) led the way.  Similarly, lateral moves in North Carolina (74) eclipsed the 5 yr av. (68), but fell short of last year’s mark (83). 

The legal sector continues to recover from the initial shock of the Covid pandemic. Legal sector jobs have grown every month since April 2020 (with the exception of December), averaging new 3,750 jobs per month (Legal Jobs Multiply Following Historic Month in Deal Making, Dan Roe, 3/5/21, American Lawyer).

A recent study found that lateral movement is down 30% through August 2020, compared to the prior 3 yr. average (Dragged Down by Finance and Energy, the Lateral Market Has Cratered, Dylan Jackson, 10/8/20, American Lawyer).

A recent study found that lateral movement is down 30% through August 2020, compared to the prior 3 yr. average (Dragged Down by Finance and Energy, the Lateral Market Has Cratered, Dylan Jackson, 10/8/20, American Lawyer).

A recent study found that lateral movement is down 30% through August 2020, compared to the prior 3 yr. average (Dragged Down by Finance and Energy, the Lateral Market Has Cratered, Dylan Jackson, 10/8/20, American Lawyer).

A recent study found that lateral movement is down 30% through August 2020, compared to the prior 3 yr. average (Dragged Down by Finance and Energy, the Lateral Market Has Cratered, Dylan Jackson, 10/8/20, American Lawyer).

A recent study found that lateral movement is down 30% through August 2020, compared to the prior 3 yr. average (Dragged Down by Finance and Energy, the Lateral Market Has Cratered, Dylan Jackson, 10/8/20, American Lawyer).

A recent study found that lateral movement is down 30% through August 2020, compared to the prior 3 yr. average (Dragged Down by Finance and Energy, the Lateral Market Has Cratered, Dylan Jackson, 10/8/20, American Lawyer).