Legal Economics1 MIN READ
Q1 2026 Lateral Volume Hits Six-Year High; BigLaw Shifts Partner Pay Structures
Macrae data shows the 200 largest U.S. firms added 3,521 lateral attorneys in Q1 2026, including 979 partner lateral moves — a 9.4% year-over-year increase and the highest quarterly partner volume in six years. Simultaneously, compensation structures are shifting: Debevoise & Plimpton announced a new discretionary bonus pool giving leadership more flexibility to reward high performers while enabli
Source: LegalTech Digest: BigLaw Firms Shift Partner Pay with Bonuses and Performance CutsLaw Firm EconomicsCompensationTalentLegal Operations