Looking for a new legal position can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Once you decide you’re ready for a change, it’s natural to want your résumé in front of as many people as possible. The thinking makes perfect sense: If I have five recruiters looking for me instead of one, won’t I have five times as many opportunities? In legal recruiting, not necessarily. Sometimes, more recruiters simply means more moving pieces—and less control over your own search. Imagi

Every year, there are certain windows in the legal market when timing seems to work in a candidate’s favor, and September through early November is one of them. By the time we get into fall, OCI is over and summer associates have gone back to school. Recruiting teams and practice groups have a much clearer picture of what their actual associate needs look like heading into the end of the year. At a lot of firms, the answer is that they need people. Some firms under-hired earl

The legal recruiting process may be getting faster, but faster doesn't always mean better. At AJW Attorney Search, we believe attorneys deserve more than a keyword match, an automated ranking, or a generic LinkedIn message. Our approach is personal. We pick up the phone and have real conversations with attorneys about: Why they are considering a move. What they want more or less of in their next role. Their concerns about workload, culture, compensation, flexibility, and care

In a lateral job search, it’s easy to start eliminating firms before ever speaking with them. Maybe a colleague had a bad experience there. Maybe you heard the culture is difficult. Maybe someone told you the hours are worse than at a competitor. Or perhaps the firm simply doesn’t have the reputation or name recognition you had in mind when you started your search. That information can be worth considering. But it shouldn’t necessarily determine whether you take the interview

There is something about fall that naturally feels like a fresh start. Summer slows down, priorities become clearer and many attorneys begin asking themselves an important question: Am I still where I want to be professionally? As summer associate programs come to an end, law firms finally have more space to focus on lateral hiring. Fall—especially October—is consistently one of the busiest times of the year for attorney interviews. That makes now the ideal time to begin prep

Law firm mergers are no longer occasional headline events—they've become a defining trend in BigLaw. We've already seen major combinations reshape the market, including A&O Shearman. Now attention has shifted to the next wave, including Ashurst + Perkins Coie and the proposed Hogan Lovells + Cadwalader combination. From a firm's perspective, the strategy is clear: Broader geographic reach | Stronger practice platforms | Deeper client relationships | Greater scale in an increa

ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act practice) governs employee retirement and health benefit plans under federal law. In Southern California, it has become a steadily expanding area of litigation and advisory work, driven by both employer scale and active federal court dynamics. Why the market is active Southern California’s ERISA activity is shaped by a few consistent forces: Large and diverse employer base across major industries Heavy federal court volume in the

As both a recruiting assistant in the legal industry and a mental health therapist, I spend a lot of time observing people — how they communicate, how they handle stress, how they approach opportunity, and how they view themselves in professional spaces. One thing I have been noticing more and more lately, especially among younger professionals, is a growing sense of entitlement surrounding the hiring process. The legal market is definitely active right now. Firms are hiring,

As we move through 2026, the market split between New York City and California is not just real—it’s driving a very clear wave of hiring that most firms are not publicly advertising but absolutely acting on. New York: Capital Markets Is Back In New York, the narrative has officially shifted from “slowdown” to “selective acceleration.” What that actually looks like: Investment-grade issuance holding steady and scaling High-yield refinancing activity picking up materially IPO d

In the Bay Area legal market, demand is highly concentrated. Certain practice areas consistently stay busy, while others move in cycles tied to the broader economy. For attorneys and firms alike, knowing where the work is coming from is often more important than overall market conditions. Technology and Intellectual Property Technology continues to drive the market. IP, data privacy, cybersecurity, and increasingly AI-related work are central to almost every major firm in th

At the midlevel stage, it’s natural to start asking bigger questions about direction, stability, and long-term goals. Many attorneys see “in-house” as the logical next step—something calmer, more predictable. And sometimes, it is. But it’s worth pausing before making that shift. Partnership decisions are rarely just about performance. They’re shaped by timing, internal dynamics, and evolving firm needs—factors you can’t fully control. Staying in one place and waiting can quie

Understanding the Shift in Trademark Investment One small trend I’ve started noticing lately while speaking with candidates and clients is an increase in companies investing in trademark work. It’s not the kind of thing that usually makes headlines or shows up in economic reports, but it’s one of those subtle signals that reveal how businesses are feeling about the future. The Connection Between Economy and Trademark Focus Trademarks tend to be something companies focus on wh

Early in your legal career, it’s easy to think the “right” firm is the one with the best name, the highest salary, or the most impressive client list. But after the novelty wears off, most young lawyers discover something surprising: Your happiness and success depend far more on how you work than on where you work. Big Law, mid-size, and boutique firms aren’t just different in size — they reward completely different working styles. Understanding which environment matches how

Los Angeles is no longer defined solely by entertainment law. While that sector remains strong, 2025 has brought a noticeable shift in where the real hiring energy is. The most in-demand practice areas in Southern California today reflect the region’s deep ties to innovation, regulation, and growth industries. The Evolving Legal Landscape in Los Angeles 1. Technology, AI, Data Privacy & Cybersecurity California’s aggressive data privacy laws and the accelerating integration o

Labor & Employment Hiring Trends in Law Firms: A Comprehensive Overview ======================================================================= Labor & Employment hiring is strong in law firms across the country, with especially active markets on the East Coast, West Coast, and in the Southeast. This trend is not just a fleeting moment; it reflects a significant shift in the legal landscape. Current Demand for Legal Professionals From junior associates to Of Counsel roles, de

How long will it take to transition to a new firm? Lawyers often inquire, "How long will it take to transition to a new firm?" This question is crucial. The timeline affects both career planning and personal financial decisions. On average, the process spans 2–4 months from initial contact to commencement. Understanding the Transition Timeline The journey to a new firm typically unfolds in several stages. Each stage has its own timeline and requirements. Let’s break it down

"When is the best time to start exploring the market?" This is a common question I get when attorneys call me to discuss their situation....

Ah, resumes, they can be the biggest hurdle to starting a lateral search - or the best reason to procrastinate doing so. Reading resumes...

I just got back from paternity leave, and while I got to spend some amazing time with my daughter, it was not the leisurely vacation I...

As reports of stealth layoffs continue and economic news makes clients and firms nervous, there are a couple grave mistakes someone...