US Big Law Shifts to Free-Agent Lateral Poaching Model
Top US law firms are abandoning seniority-based promotions for aggressive lateral poaching, with some star partners commanding packages up to $30 million.
American Big Law firms are transitioning from the traditional seniority-based Cravath system toward a free-agent era defined by aggressive lateral poaching. Between January and mid-September 2026, more than 3,200 partners joined the top 200 grossing U.S. firms, according to data from SurePoint. This shift, known as Kirklandisation, is named after Kirkland & Ellis, which recorded $10.6 billion in 2025 revenue by utilizing salaried partners without ownership stakes to acquire specific expertise.
High-profile rainmakers are now commanding compensation packages between $20 million and $30 million. The trend is driven by clients who maintain loyalty to individual partners rather than firms, and is facilitated by the American Bar Association's prohibition of non-compete agreements, which allows lawyers to move client lists freely. The 2016 move of Scott A Barshay from Cravath, Swaine & Moore to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is viewed as an early indicator of this era.
Firms are reacting to this volatility in various ways. Some, such as Weil Gotshal, are reportedly seeking mergers following partner defections, while others have abandoned seniority-based pay structures to remain competitive in the talent market.
