There’s something about this time of year. The light lasts a little longer.
The daffodils are blooming.
The pace of life begins to shift.
And with it comes a natural pause point. A moment to reflect. A chance to ask: Am I where I want to be?
For many successful attorneys, the year began with intention. Maybe it was the goal to reclaim time, grow a book of business, or finally explore a move to a firm that truly aligns. But then came the deadlines, the urgent client needs, and the firm politics.
And underlying it all was the unspoken assumption that January was the only time to change.
If that sounds familiar, here’s the truth: You don’t have to wait until next year to make progress. And spring may be exactly the right time to begin moving forward.
Lateral moves don’t necessarily happen in January
There can be a misconception that if a lateral move hasn’t been put into the works by January 1, the opportunity is off the table for the year. But that doesn’t reflect the reality of these situations.
Most partners are still finishing up year-end matters, collecting final payments, or waiting for deferred compensation to come through well into February or beyond. Some firms now structure payouts to land in March, April, or even May—this delay is intentional, leveraging the payout timing as a retention strategy.
So, no, lawyers don’t just “move on New Year’s Day.” The process is more nuanced—and more flexible—than that.
And for firms looking to bring on a strong lateral partner? Timing can be negotiable.
When the value is clear, the right firm will adjust the schedule, even offering creative solutions to ensure a partner doesn’t leave money on the table. A conversation in spring could lead to a move in summer—or even next January.
Signs it might be time to re-evaluate
At the start of the year, you may have set clear intentions: reclaim your time, take on more meaningful work, or explore a move to a firm that better fits the way you want to practice. But then came the pace of the work, the urgent client requests, and the needs of everyone around you.
The goals didn’t go away—they were just buried under everything else.
So, how do you know whether your current firm still supports the direction you’re trying to grow? These are a few signals that it may be worth taking a closer look.
You’re constantly negotiating for the support your practice needs
Whether you’ve asked for a new associate, more marketing budget, or expansion into another practice area, the answer keeps getting delayed. You’re building something that warrants investment, but you’re stuck having the same conversation.
The firm’s direction doesn’t reflect where you’re trying to take your practice
Maybe your clients are asking for services the firm doesn’t offer. Maybe the firm is shifting toward practices that don’t overlap with yours. If you have to work harder just to maintain momentum, there may be a mismatch worth examining.
Personal tradeoffs have become routine
You’ve rescheduled vacations, given up weekends, and deferred anything outside of work. If the cost of success keeps landing in your personal life, it’s worth questioning whether your platform is contributing to the problem.
You’ve been pushing things off for “next year”
If you’ve caught yourself making internal deals like “just get through this quarter” or “see where things stand in the fall,” you’re not alone. But if that cycle has repeated more than once, it may be time to make an active decision rather than wait it out again.
Everything looks fine on paper, but something feels off
Your metrics are strong, and your client base is solid. But if your work has started to feel more transactional than intentional, or you’ve lost sight of where things are headed, that’s worth your attention.
Staying put can sometimes feel easier than evaluating whether a move makes sense, but the longer you stay in a structure that isn’t working, the harder it is to make space for something better.
How to make a strategic mid-year lateral move
Mid-year may not seem like the obvious time to explore a lateral move, but it’s an advantage in many cases. Firms are refining their goals, adjusting forecasts, and looking ahead to year-end results, making it a prime time to have conversations that aren’t rushed by January deadlines.
If you’re considering a move in this window, here’s how to approach it strategically:
- Know your numbers: Compensation structures and bonus timelines vary widely across firms. Understanding how your current firm handles deferred comp, origination credit, and client transition support is key to building a move-around plan that doesn’t leave money behind.
- Clarify your “why now”: When you approach the market mid-year, firms will want to know why you’re exploring at this particular moment. That means being ready to articulate what you’re looking for in a new platform, and why the timing makes sense for your business and clients.
- Map your client relationships: What clients would come with you? What relationships would benefit from a broader platform or expanded capabilities? Firms want to understand who your clients are and how your practice fits into the larger business strategy.
- Think beyond the calendar: Conversations that begin in April or May often lead to transitions that happen in the fall or are timed to coincide with January comp cycles. Starting now gives you more room to negotiate terms, prepare your clients, and transition on your timeline, not the firm’s.
Spring and summer hiring isn’t unusual anymore. In fact, many firms are active in this window because it gives them time to make thoughtful, strategic hires before end-of-year pressures ramp up. If you’re considering moving this year, lay the groundwork now.
You’re not too late to find a firm that aligns with your vision
Making a lateral move isn’t a rushed decision. It’s a thoughtful process. Starting now doesn’t mean making a change tomorrow. It means exploring your options, mapping out a plan, and seeing what’s out there.
Even if you’re not ready to move until next January, beginning the conversation today can open the door to the right opportunity on your timeline.
At Gillman Strategic Group, we help successful partners find their exact right, perfect-fit firm where lawyers can thrive professionally without sacrificing personal fulfillment.
There’s still time for 2025 to look how you hoped it would. If the beginning of the year didn’t go as planned, this might be the right season to step forward.
Being a successful lawyer shouldn’t mean staying stuck.
It should mean growing on your terms.
Curious what that could look like for you? We’re here to talk. Whether you’re exploring options or ready to make a move, we’d love to hear where you are in your journey and help you figure out what’s possible when you align with the right fit firm.
