Illapa Search

What Will Shape Attorney Hiring in 2026? The legal industry is heading into another year of rapid change, and we’re already seeing early indicators of where demand is shifting. Between resurgent transactional activity, stronger litigation pipelines, accelerated AI adoption, and continued geographic expansion across Am Law firms, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal hiring year. As we support attorneys and firms across the country, these trends come up in nearly every conversation. If you’re exploring a move, or your team is planning strategic hires in the new year, Illapa is here to help you navigate the market with clarity and insight. #LegalIndustry #BigLawTrends #AttorneyHiring #LawFirmGrowth #LateralMoves #RecruitingInsights #IllapaSearch We’re curious which of these trends you believe will influence attorney hiring the most as firms refine strategy for the year ahead:

BigLaw Bonus Season: What This Year’s Announcements Signal Milbank’s bonus announcement this week officially sets the tone for year-end compensation across BigLaw, and it’s clear the market is holding steady. After Cravath released its scale, Milbank matched across both year-end and special bonuses, signaling no compensation war in 2025. With year-end bonuses ranging from $15,000 to $115,000 (plus special bonuses up to $25,000), most major firms have already followed suit. What’s notable isn’t just the numbers, it’s the consistency. Despite a busy year for transactional practices and rising demand across corporate, litigation, and labor & employment work, firms appear focused on maintaining predictability and stability for associates. This year’s match-and-hold approach suggests: 🔹 Firms remain confident in profitability heading into 2026 🔹 Consistency continues to outweigh aggressive bidding 🔹 Associate expectations around compensation remain strongly market-driven Whether bonuses impact mobility this season remains to be seen, but compensation always plays a role in lateral conversations. If you're curious how your practice area is trending or want insight into market movement heading into Q1 2026, Illapa stays close to these shifts every day. #BigLaw #LegalIndustry #AssociateLife #Compensation #Bonuses #LateralMoves #AttorneyCareers #LawFirmLife #IllapaSearch

✨ This Week’s Hot Opportunities ✨ We’re working with AM Law firms on searches across restructuring, debt finance, M&A, real estate, and corporate finance, with openings in key markets nationwide. From complex transactions to high-stakes restructurings, these roles offer strong deal flow, collaborative teams, and meaningful career growth within nationally recognized practices. 📩 hello@illapasearch.com to connect. #HotJobs #LegalRecruiting #AttorneyCareers #LateralMoves #IllapaSearch #LegalJobs #CareerGrowth #USLawFirms

At Illapa Search, we know attorneys receive a high volume of outreach, and the quality can vary widely. We're continually refining how we communicate with candidates, and we'd love insight directly from the legal community. We welcome additional thoughts in the comments, your feedback helps ensure our outreach remains respectful, relevant, and tailored to what attorneys actually value. #IllapaSearch #LegalRecruiting #AttorneyCareers #LateralMoves #LawFirmLife #LegalInsights #CareerGrowth

A Thought for Today: One of the most common questions attorneys ask when exploring the market is: “Which firms are hiring right now?” A valid question, but not always the most strategic one. A more powerful starting point is: “Which platform will best support my long-term growth, goals, and client base?” Because the best lateral move isn’t defined by availability, it’s defined by alignment. The right match includes: • Strong practice synergy & deal support • Cross-office collaboration that actually works • Sustainable work, not temporary volume • Space to build, not just fit • Clear path toward impact, influence & opportunity At Illapa Search, we don’t just talk about open roles, we partner with attorneys to map out market possibilities based on fit, strategy, and future trajectory. Curious where you could thrive next (not just land next)? Let’s connect for a confidential, honest conversation. #AttorneyCareers #LegalRecruiting #LateralMoves #BigLaw #LawyersOfLinkedIn #LegalIndustry #CareerStrategy #IllapaSearch

Industry News: Another Major Transatlantic Merger in Motion Ashurst (London-based) and Perkins Coie (U.S.-based) have announced plans to merge, which would create a combined platform of roughly 3,000 lawyers and $2.7B+ in revenue, placing the firm inside the global Top 20 by size. The leadership teams noted that the driver isn’t just expansion for today, but long-term positioning for sectors like: • Technology • Financial services • Energy & infrastructure • Cross-border and regulatory-heavy matters This continues the wave of recent U.S./U.K. combinations as firms look to scale, align with global clients, and compete across key markets rather than regionally. While the merger is still subject to partner approval, if finalized, it is expected to close in late 2026. For attorneys, this adds another example of how platform, practice adjacency, and global capability continue to shape strategic decisions across Big Law. If you're curious how these moves may impact lateral strategy, future growth markets, or which practices are best positioned for expansion, Illapa is always open to a confidential conversation. #IllapaSearch #LegalRecruiting

This Week’s Hot Opportunities We’re partnering with Am Law firms on searches across M&A, commercial litigation, trusts & estates, finance, and investment funds, with openings in major markets nationwide. These roles offer access to sophisticated matters, collaborative teams, and strong career growth within nationally recognized practices. hello@illapasearch.com or DM us now to connect. #HotJobs #LegalRecruiting #AttorneyCareers #LateralMoves #IllapaSearch #LegalJobs #CareerGrowth #USLawFirms

Texas Energy M&A: Where Deal Flow Meets Talent Challenges As energy M&A activity surges, Texas continues to dominate the national deal landscape, but firms are finding that breaking into this market takes more than just capital and ambition. Energy transactions require highly coordinated teams with deep sector expertise, and that collaboration doesn’t happen overnight. Senior attorneys with strong client relationships and trusted internal networks are key, and often hesitant to leave established teams. For firms expanding into Texas, this means talent strategy matters as much as deal strategy. Identifying partners and associates who bring both the technical skill and the relational trust needed to execute large, complex deals is essential. At Illapa Search, we connect firms with top-tier lateral talent in energy, infrastructure, and beyond, attorneys who can strengthen teams and sustain momentum in competitive markets like Houston and Dallas. Interested in building out your transactional team or exploring opportunities in Texas energy M&A? Reach out to hello@illapasearch.com to learn more. #IllapaSearch #LegalRecruiting #EnergyLaw #MergersAndAcquisitions #BigLaw #TexasLawyers

7,000 Followers (and Counting!) We’ve officially hit 7,000 followers on LinkedIn - and we couldn’t be more grateful. From Am Law partners to associates exploring their next move, our community is made up of the lawyers shaping the future of the legal industry. Every week, we share insights, hiring trends, and opportunities that help attorneys stay ahead in an evolving market. If you’ve been thinking about what’s next, whether it’s a move to a new city, a fresh practice focus, or simply exploring the market, now’s the perfect time to reach out. Connect with us or email hello@illapasearch.com to learn more about current openings and market momentum. Here’s to the next 7,000, and to helping even more attorneys find their perfect fit. #IllapaSearch #LegalRecruiting #AttorneyCareers #BigLaw #LateralMoves #LawyersofLinkedIn

Law Firm Demand Surges Heading Into Year-End According to Thomson Reuters’ latest Law Firm Financial Index, large and midsized firms experienced a sharp spike in client demand during Q3, the fourth-highest quarterly increase in the last two decades. Transactional practices led the charge, with M&A demand up nearly 7% year-over-year and strong growth across corporate, real estate, and tax. Litigation and labor & employment also posted solid gains, reflecting steady client activity across industries. For firms, this signals a profitable close to 2025. and for attorneys, a clear sign that hiring momentum is far from slowing down. As demand rises, many teams are expanding to keep pace with client needs, particularly in high-growth transactional and litigation areas. If you’re considering a strategic move or curious where your experience fits into this shifting market, now is an ideal time to start the conversation. Reach out to hello@illapasearch.com or DM us now to connect with our team and stay ahead of emerging opportunities. #IllapaSearch #LegalIndustryInsights #LawFirmHiring #AttorneyCareers #LateralMoves #LegalRecruiting