AmLaw 25 firms see growth in London

According to new data from Macrae, these firms added a net six litigation partners so far in 2026, reversing three years of net loss including a decline of six partners in 2025. In contrast, AmLaw 26-50 firms recorded a net loss of 10 partners, marking the steepest decline in this dataset

King & Spalding stands out with six new additions from WilmerHale, featuring prominent lawyer Gary Born, emphasising a shift in market dynamics. DWF and Clyde & Co also contributed to this growth by each adding three partners, making them notable hirers in 2025.

In the broader UK landscape, firms within the Lawyer UK 15 experienced a net loss of four partners, continuing a trend of decline for the fourth consecutive year, while the lower-ranked firms, 16-50, managed to add five partners, maintaining a streak of gains since 2021. Overall, litigation partner movements in London have slowed, heading towards levels closer to those observed during the 2021-2024 period. The 2026 figures reveal 54 moves across AmLaw 50 and The Lawyer UK 50 firms, a significant decrease compared to the record 95 moves in 2025.

Specific areas of practice have highlighted interesting trends. International arbitration emerged as a leader, accounting for 21% of all moves—its highest share recorded—primarily driven by the recruitment from King & Spalding. Meanwhile, commercial litigation has shown signs of resurgence, with 16% of moves attributed to this field, up from a prior 9% in 2024 and 2025, aligning with its high from 2021. The majority of moves, 42 out of 54, were firm-to-firm transitions, indicating that lateral hiring remains a focal point of the market.

However, statistics also reveal a concerning trend regarding gender diversity; women’s representation in litigation partner moves has decreased to 30%, down from 32% in 2025 and significantly lower than the 42% recorded in 2022.

Looking ahead, the demand for disputes is anticipated to remain steady, providing some security for firms amid fluctuations in transactional practices. Legal experts with established reputations for handling major cases appear likely to attract ongoing interest. US firms, in particular, are expected to continue their expansion within London, focusing on versatile litigators capable of navigating various high-profile cases. Furthermore, there are indications of increased demand in competition, banking, and arbitration as firms brace for a potential uptick in financial services and white-collar investigations, which have seen reduced activity in recent years.