Louis Morris and Amy Howe, June 2026

There’s no getting around it: the US is huge. If you fancied a coast-to-coast road trip, you’d be looking at at least 50 hours behind the wheel to cover more than 3,000 miles. To put that into perspective, you could drive from Moscow to Lisbon and still clock up fewer miles than a trip from the very top of Maine to the California coast. For the uninitiated, that means realizing that no, you can’t really take a leisurely stroll from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium for a World Cup match. But for US associates eyeing a lateral move, all that space translates into something rather more appealing: more options, more markets, and more room to make a strategic move.

 

“Changes in technology and work practices have made a wider range of work available in more markets.”

 

Geography aside, developments in technology, remote working, and cross-office staffing have exponentially expanded opportunities for those looking to move across state lines. “What you have now is more choice,” says Lateral Link’s Abby Gordon, reflecting on developments over the past decade: “Changes in technology and work practices have made a wider range of work available in more markets.”

“It used to be that people felt they needed to be in one of the big cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Washington DC,” adds Brittany Zoll, but the above, coupled with firms expanding their reach to a wider range of markets, “now people can really work where they want to live.”

However, that doesn’t mean those major markets have become obsolete. New York, for example, remains a central hub for financial markets and sees plenty of attorneys opting to land there. The shift has really been in the fact that it’s no longer the sole launchpad for a fruitful career. With high-value work now available in less traditional markets, other factors like lifestyle considerations, cost of living, and long-term viability are now central to associates’ decision-making.

For associates weighing up a lateral move, this creates both opportunity and complexity. With the range of options wider than ever, too are the factors to consider, whether it be bar admission requirements, practice area demand, or the importance of explaining why a particular market makes sense in interview. To break down these considerations, navigate the nuances of different locations, and explore timing and strategy, we caught up with Abby Gordon, Brittany Zoll, Steven Rushing, and Niko McIver from Lateral Link.

Why associates are moving

Lifestyle and cost

While more traditional markets like New York remain very attractive landing pads for ambitious attorneys, the rise in high-value work in alternative markets means associates don’t necessarily need to stomach high-cost city living in order to launch or maintain successful careers.

“Post-Covid, lifestyle factors play a larger role in why people move,” Zoll underlines. While we’re seeing market-wide pushes for a gradual return to office, the shifts in priorities brought about by Covid-era working conditions are largely here to stay. As such, it’s not unusual to see candidates seek out sophisticated markets which offer slightly lower costs of living.

In Boston for example, Gordon notes, “It’s still slightly cheaper to live there than in New York, and the state income tax rate is lower, all while at the top firms, you’re still being paid the same as in New York.” There are even further draws if you look southward, as Gordon quips, “We still can’t compete with Florida in terms of state income tax!” The picture’s not always as straightforward as it seems though, as Zoll caveats, “Parts of Florida are so expensive; Miami is almost rivalling New York for cost right now.”

Career and work considerations

Large markets like New York still very much offer associates scale, exposure, and a strong deal flow. “For associates, there are still benefits to being in offices with 500 lawyers rather than 15,” says Zoll: “Having access to partners and firm leadership enables you to get consistent quality work and firm sponsorship needed to move up.”

Larger offices with a higher number of attorneys naturally equate to a greater chance to network. There are, of course, benefits to being in leaner offices, including the potential for greater responsibility, so it’s worth weighing up which environment best suits personal goals.

 

"...associates should be deliberate about specialization before lateraling."

 

Ultimately though, Rushing notes, “There is a limit to what you can do based on the kind of teams and work available in different offices,” so a move to a smaller office is more likely to suit those looking to specialize. And as McIver notes, “Once you’re a few years into a practice, firms usually evaluate you against that experience, so associates should be deliberate about specialization before lateraling.”

Personal connections and narratives

As with any career move, employers will want to see indications of long-term commitment from the candidate – and even more so for those making the move to a different state. “You want to be able to show that you’re interested in developing roots for the long term,” says Rushing.

A solid answer to ‘why this market’ is even more pertinent for those looking to move to less prominent markets. “For less obvious destination markets, candidates need a clear ‘why this market’ narrative; in places like New York, Los Angeles, or the Bay Area, that rationale is often more self-evident,” McIver says.

That is slowly changing in Boston, however. Gordon notes, “As long as you have some ties to Boston to show that you aren’t going to run off after the first New England winter, firms will accept that!” Once the ‘why’ becomes clear, the next question becomes that of timing.

When to move

Ultimately, you want to strike when the iron is hot. As Gordon explains, “The best time to move is always as a mid-level. It becomes incrementally harder if you wait too long.”  This broadly translates to those with two to five years’ experience.

 

"The more specialized the practice area, the more helpful it is to have an extra year’s experience."

 

There are slight nuances depending on practice area and specialism, however. Gordon details that, “as a litigator, you are most marketable a bit earlier, between one and four years’ experience,” whereas transactional lawyers will find the sweet spot is usually three to six. Ultimately, the rule of thumb is, “the more specialized the practice area, the more helpful it is to have an extra year’s experience,” she notes.

Market comparisons

There can be some practical barriers to moving between states, including things like bar qualifications, competition and demand, and market fit. Each market has something slightly different on offer, shaped by the demand for lawyers, the lifestyle available, and the potential barriers to entry. Below we explore the nuances between each location.

New York

There’s no two ways about it. New York is still very much the epicenter of the US legal ecosystem. It remains the finance capital of the world which naturally translates to a concentration of talent and offers associates exposure to big-ticket partners, large-scale matters, and expansive training programs. As such, it’s understandable why many law students choose to kickstart their careers in the city.

While the market is an attractive one for many, Zoll notes, “I see more people moving out of NY than moving to NY.” This movement indicates that while it’s still a hot market, it’s not typically one that associates look to move to once they’ve launched their careers elsewhere.

Boston

“Boston is definitely growing, with academic institutions driving innovation,” Zoll notes. Thanks to the concentration of academic institutions in the area, Boston’s legal market has diversified in recent years. “It used to be that you would only go to Boston to do life sciences or tech-related work,” Gordon recalls: “Now you can do anything.” Because of that diversification, “the ‘why Boston’ question is no longer quite as important,” says Gordon.

The appeal also lies in the finances; associates in Boston are often compensated on par with those in New York but aren’t subject to the same cost of living or tax rates. The city certainly isn’t a lifestyle market, however. Those looking to work fewer hours than in the Big Apple aren’t likely to find that here. “There’s a tendency to start work slightly earlier and leave slightly earlier than they do in New York,” notes Gordon, detailing that “you have a lot of sophisticated work in Boston, and a lot of work on cross-office teams.” As such, one selling point is access to highly sophisticated matters without remaining in Manhattan.

Florida

Florida has a similar story of growth across its major cities, in part thanks to wealth migration in the area, creating a demand for lawyers to carry out related legal work. “Firms are opening Florida offices in response to the demand from lawyers wanting to move there,” Rushing underlines.

 

“Miami has expanded since Covid and attracted talent with no prior connection to the area.”

 

In particular, “Miami has expanded since Covid and attracted talent with no prior connection to the area,” he adds, noting a particular influx of associates from the Northeast. The demand is most prominent across litigation and private wealth work, as Zoll notes, “In Miami, firms need litigators, whereas in New York litigation is extremely competitive.”

Tax benefits and lifestyle are key draws to the state, however it’s important to note that expenses in the area remain high, so a move south won’t necessarily equate to more savings. Additionally, with the exception of Miami, personal ties still play a large role in movement, with firms wanting reassurance that candidates will be there for the long haul.

Another major snag is Florida has no bar reciprocity. “It’s one of the toughest exams to take,” notes Rushing, “so it might be worth it to move to Miami, but not necessarily to somewhere like Tampa,” further emphasizing the need for a personal connection to the area.

Texas

The saying goes ‘everything’s bigger in Texas’ – and it may just be true. Thanks to the state’s sprawling legal market, “Texas is broad enough that associates can build sophisticated practices across several hubs, including corporate/M&A, energy, tech/IP, real estate, and litigation,” says McIver. Certainly, the state has a consistent flow of corporate/M&A work, as a result of the concentration of corporate headquarters in the area.

A particular nuance Rushing notes is “Texas has more work available in specific industries” in comparison to somewhere like Florida. For example, Houston is particularly big for energy work, while Dallas and Austin are big on tech and intellectual property.

Another big draw to the state is that Texas offers bar reciprocity under many circumstances, so associates moving from out of state won’t necessarily need to sit the exam. Additionally, once you’re based in the state, movement between cities isn’t unheard of. “For candidates, the ability to move among Texas markets, including Houston, Dallas, Austin, and sometimes San Antonio, without leaving the state can be a real draw,” says McIver.

Washington DC

As the capital city, Washington DC remains a hotbed for regulatory, investigations, antitrust, and other government-related work. Increasingly however, there has been a steady demand for corporate lawyers in the area as “firms now have true corporate and transactional groups there,” Gordon details. In fact, “there are never enough great corporate associates in DC to fill the need because people don’t think of it as a corporate zone!” Rushing highlights.

 

“It’s a unicorn in that people come without personal connections through law school or for political ambitions.”

 

It’s also a noticeably stable market attrition-wise. “DC is not losing people” in the same way a big market like New York might, notes Rushing, explaining that “it’s a unicorn in that people come without personal connections through law school or for political ambitions” and choose to anchor themselves there.

Emerging markets (Philadelphia, Nashville, Austin)

There are also a number of smaller emerging markets worth considering.

Philadelphia for example has long had a strong legal presence, but an increasing number of firms have entered the market in recent years. The city also has a good cost-value proposition, as Zoll notes: “The cost of living is phenomenally good; you can earn the same as you would in NYC, DC, or Boston, but that money goes a lot further here!” The caveat is that it’s a more difficult market to break into if a candidate doesn’t have strong ties to the area.

Similarly, Nashville is on the up, with a particular focus on healthcare work. “Firms are increasingly paying attention to the city,” Rushing notes, highlighting Kirkland & Ellis’ recent launch there.

Austin is also worth re-highlighting, thanks to its recent tech expansion – so much so that it’s been nicknamed ‘Silicon Hills’. “Austin has real tech momentum, but many AmLaw offices there are still relatively lean, so hiring tends to be more targeted than in larger markets,” McIver adds.

While the emerging markets are smaller in scale than some of the aforementioned locations, their growth is a strong indication that firms are increasingly expanding their reach outside the traditional markets in order to be closer to clients and tap into strong regional talent pools. For associates looking to make a move, these smaller markets translate into the opportunity to work in offices that are typically leaner and play a key role in the growth of said office.

How to approach a move strategically

Despite markets being particularly fruitful, and the influx of sophisticated work across a number of regions, it’s worth noting that lateral hiring has cooled in many regions. Additionally, opportunities in less traditional markets tend to be more targeted and hires are typically made to meet specific practice needs. As a result, the process can be more competitive, making it more important than ever to be strategic about a lateral move, including building a solid relationship with a recruiter and preparing ahead of next steps.

First and foremost, Gordon emphasizes the importance of selecting a recruiter to work with. “You should establish a relationship with a recruiter you trust – and work with only one recruiter,” she notes. This is key when it comes to establishing a rapport and having someone help you navigate your career goals.

 

“Start early and treat the move as a process, especially in smaller or destination markets where openings are often tied to very specific practice needs.”

 

Secondly, “Start early and treat the move as a process, especially in smaller or destination markets where openings are often tied to very specific practice needs,” McIver notes on timing. As such, planning ahead is key in many instances. For example, “Signing up for the bar before you interview is a positive step,” says Rushing, as it both minimizes the time spent waiting during the process and indicates to interviewers that you are serious about the move.

Looking ahead, movement is becoming more about preference rather than necessity. “It’s going to become much more about personal choice in where you want to live, versus needing to move for a specific job,” says Gordon. Ultimately, the expansion of sophisticated legal markets means that lateral moves are now less about necessity and compromise and more about deliberate career and life planning.

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