Is the Summer a Bad Time for Law Firms to Recruit for Lateral Attorneys?

Is the summer a bad time for law firms to recruit for lateral attorneys? This is a common question, usually coming up in conversations around this time of year.

For lateral attorneys specifically, summer is usually viewed as a mixed-to-slower recruiting period, but not a “bad” one across the board. The broad market for lateral hiring is actually pretty healthy right now. NALP reported that U.S. law firm lateral hiring grew again in 2025, with associate lateral hiring up more than 17%. 2026 is expected to see similar growth.

But the timing within the year is what matters.

A common staffing pattern in law firms is:

• January–May/June: often the hottest lateral market

  • bonuses get paid

  • associates leave

  • firms know their staffing gaps

• Mid-summer (July/August): tends to slow down

  • partners and recruiting teams are on vacation

  • firms are busy with summer associates and interns

  • interview processes drag

• September–October: activity often picks back up

  • firms reassess headcount and deal flow

• November–December: another slowdown because of year-end bonuses and budgeting

This pattern shows up consistently in recruiter commentary and attorney discussions. That said, summer can still be a good time for laterals to change if:

• your practice area is hot (litigation, private equity, finance, data privacy, etc.)

• you are in a major market like NYC

• firms suddenly realize they are understaffed after deal flow increases

Some firms are actively expanding regardless of season, however, because some firms devote more attention to summer associate hiring, lateral recruiting can sometimes get temporarily deprioritized during this period.

So, the practical answer is:

• Summer is not dead for laterals 

• Late summer is usually slower operationally 

• Strong candidates in in-demand practices still move 

• The strongest overall lateral window is often post-bonus (Q1 into spring) 

Remember, if you’re considering a lateral move, summer is still worth applying during — just expect slower callbacks, longer interview timelines, and more partner availability issues than in spring.

Good Luck, and Happy Hunting!