Market Update: Trends In Associate Hiring In Atlanta And Charlotte In 2017 (Q1-Q3)

Looking to make a lateral move to or within the Southeast? Partnering with a recruiter provides distinct advantages in each situation.

Ed. note: This is the latest installment in a series of posts from Lateral Link’s team of expert contributors. Allie Fennell is a Director based in Atlanta, GA where she focuses on Associate and Partner placements in law firms throughout the Southeast. With a decade of legal recruiting experience she’s able to leverage her connections to assist Associates, Counsel, and Partners advance in their careers. Additionally, she has extensive experience placing Attorneys in their dream “in-house” role. Allie received her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and her J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law.

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, you may be considering whether a lateral move in 2018 could meaningfully advance your career.  If so, it is important to understand the recent lateral associate hiring trends and how they could impact hiring in the coming year. Below is data on 2017 lateral hires in the Southeast, specifically in Atlanta and Charlotte.  We encourage you to connect with the Southeastern team of Lateral Link (Allie Fennell, Scott Hodes, or Marion Wilson) on LinkedIn to receive regular updates on the market, including unposted positions and helpful articles that might inform your career progression.

Lateral Associate Hires (Q1-Q3 2017)

Atlanta

According to reported data, top Am Law-ranked firms in Atlanta hired 114 associates in 2017. Litigation made a strong reappearance in Atlanta after a slow year in 2016 and accounted for over 1/3 of the Atlanta hires.  Here’s a rough breakdown by practice area:

  • 1/3 Litigation
  • 1/3 Corporate and Real Estate
  • 1/3 Other practices (L&E, IP, ERISA and Healthcare)

Charlotte

According to reported data, top Am Law-ranked firms in Charlotte hired 38 associates in 2017. Given the fact that Charlotte is a hub for financial institutions, it is not surprising that Corporate ruled the day.  Here’s a rough breakdown by practice area:

  • 2/3 Corporate, Banking and Real Estate
  • 1/3 Litigation and other practices (Tax, ERISA)

In this article, I am going to address associates contemplating a return to the Southeast as well as associates looking to make a lateral move within the same market.  Partnering with a recruiter provides distinct advantages in each situation.

An interesting trend reveals itself through these numbers.  In Charlotte, nearly half (46%) of the lateral associate hires relocated from major metropolitan markets (NYC/DC/CA).   In Atlanta, nearly a third (30%) relocated from major metropolitan markets (NYC/DC/CA).  In most instances, the associate had ties to the area, having attended law school or undergrad in the respective city.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ASSOCIATES CONTEMPLATING A RETURN TO THE SOUTHEAST

Atlanta and Charlotte are both extremely tight-knit legal markets. Below are a few reasons why partnering with a reputable recruiter to assist you in navigating a move to the Southeast is paramount.

  • Knowledge of the local market
    • At least one firm included in the statistic above hired exclusively from other markets in 2017. At Lateral Link, we have our finger on the pulse of the local market and know which firms will be interested in someone with your skills and experience.
    • Differentiating the various firms can be a daunting task, especially if you are a busy associate in another city. We know the often radically different cultures at different firms and can help you find the right fit from both a professional and personal perspective.
    • The hidden job market. Firms will oftentimes hire on an opportunistic basis when presented with an associate practicing in an in-demand practice area such as banking and finance in Charlotte.  We know which firms employ this strategy towards lateral associate hiring and we know whom to contact to give you the best shot at an interview.
  • Navigating the interview process
    • As mentioned above, associates will ideally have several firms of different shapes and sizes to choose among during the process. A skillful recruiter can assist in crafting the explanation as to why you are interested in each specific firm.
    • A good recruiter can also help you to craft an explanation as to why you are interested in relocating to the Southeast, especially if you don’t have obvious ties to the area.
    • A recruiter can be essential in creating and managing a situation where various law firms are competing for an associate. Firms obviously know that associates returning to the area are likely interviewing with other firms.  Recruiters have significant and established relationships with these firms and can set the necessary tempo for the process depending on an associate’s personal circumstances.
  • Acting as the intermediary when negotiating the offer
    • When relocating, associates must consider the entire compensation package and not merely look at the base salary. Clearly, the cost of living adjustment weighs in your favor when contemplating a move from NYC, for example, to the Southeast.  By way of example, $200K in Charlotte is the cost-of-living equivalent of roughly $480K in Manhattan.[1]
    • Recruiters with strong relationships with Southeast law firms provide valuable information in the offer stage of the process. We influence the process by advising the client on exactly what it will take to land the perfect associate candidate.  It is always better to have an “agent” acting on your behalf when negotiating sensitive matters like compensation, relocation assistance, etc.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ASSOCIATES CONTEMPLATING A MOVE WITHIN THE SAME CITY

Working with a local legal recruiter can benefit your job search in several ways.

  • Knowledge of the local market
    • Some firms only hire associates already practicing with a local firm. We have our finger on the pulse of the local market and know which firms that will be interested in someone with your skills and experience.
    • Maintaining confidentiality throughout the entire process. A recruiter serves as the point of contact for the prospective firm.  A good recruiter with solid relationships with that firm can ensure that your résumé will only be viewed by one or two attorneys initially.
  • Navigating the interview process
    • In Charlotte, most the top Am Law-ranked firms are in the Uptown area — many in the same building, and often sharing the same elevator banks! This factor can prove challenging if you are a third-year associate in Charlotte contemplating a lateral move.  We are sensitive to this as recruiters, and can make arrangements for interviews to be held off site to avoid “outing” an associate.
    • An associate practicing in a highly sought after practice will likely have a variety of firms from which to choose among during the process. A skillful recruiter can help you perfect why you are contemplating a lateral move and why you are interested in an opportunity with the prospective firm.
  • Acting as the intermediary when negotiating the offer
    • It is always helpful to have an agent negotiate sensitive matters on your behalf.
    • A good recruiter can also help you navigate the resignation process, which can be tricky in a tight-knit legal community. It is crucial to handle this phase with sensitivity so as not to burn any bridges.

If you are interested in exploring opportunities in the upcoming year, please do not hesitate to reach out to my fellow recruiters at Lateral Link.  We are more than happy to begin a discussion about the upcoming lateral associate hiring needs for 2018.

[1] Cost of living: How far will my salary go in another city? [CNN Money]


Lateral Link is one of the top-rated international legal recruiting firms. With over 14 offices world-wide, Lateral Link specializes in placing attorneys at the most prestigious law firms and companies in the world. Managed by former practicing attorneys from top law schools, Lateral Link has a tradition of hiring lawyers to execute the lateral leaps of practicing attorneys. Click ::here:: to find out more about us.