Texas lawyers move from one firm to another for different reasons. Some flee client conflicts or hope to lower their billing rates. Others aspire to practice at national or international firms or, conversely, a boutique. Some are lured by the prospect of making more money, while others seek the challenge of building a branch office for an out-of-state firm.
Regardless of individual lawyers’ motivations, lateral hiring at large firms in Texas was smoking hot in 2011, with 20 of the 25 largest firms in Texas hiring 46.8 percent more laterals than in 2010, according to data collected in Texas Lawyer ‘s annual Lateral Moves Survey. That robust increase in 2011 is considerably higher than the 10.3 percent rise posted in 2010.
