After stellar financial results last year, large law firms are continuing to drive segmentation in Big Law by picking off groups of partners from smaller law firms, such as DLA Piper’s 27-lawyer pick-up from Honigman in Chicago this week.

Lateral group moves are picking up steam in 2022 amid remote work and a relative decline in law firm merger activity, industry analysts say. And the Windy City will remain a point of emphasis due to its rate structure, private capital and emerging presence on the tech scene.