Recent trends in the legal industry have indicated a shift towards heightened due diligence before hiring lateral partners. While the intensity of lateral partner hiring saw a peak in 2021 and 2022, firms today are proceeding with more caution before making hiring decisions.
This new consideration in hiring not only takes into account how a potential hire might fit into the firm’s culture, but also critically examines the accuracy of a presented book of business. According to recruiters who manage placements of lateral hires in major law firms, the modern hiring approach seems to focus more on detailed study of the business that prospective partners are bringing, and includes steps like discussions with their clients.
The industry has observed the trend of ‘tire-kicking’ before making hiring decisions becoming more pronounced over the recent years. Expanded due diligence seems to emerge as an essential practice even as law firms continue to hire in order to meet increasing demand and aid their own growth. Learn more about this trend in the original report from The American Lawyer.