With year-end around the corner, it’s typical for lateral movement to slow. But several Philadelphia-based firms have continued to focus on recruiting in a key market to the south.

Ballard Spahr, Cozen O’Connor and Duane Morris have all made targeted hires in or near the nation’s capital in recent months. While the lawyers they have brought on may not have direct links to the federal government, the firms see their practices as areas of opportunity in an active and competitive market.