Associates are more likely to be hired laterally than through the typical, organic entry-level hiring process, an extensive study released Wednesday found. Experts say the shift in hiring dynamics reflect the legal industry’s tendency in recent years to favor immediate growth.

The “Keeping the Keepers IV” report, released this week by the National Association For Law Placement Foundation and Major, Lindsey & Africa, looked at survey data from more than 800 law firms between 2012 and 2018, drawing on detailed data from more than 20,000 associate departures.