2022 Q2 National Newsletter: Market Active Now, What About the Future?

Highlights for Am Law Q2 2022: Corporate M&A Securities most active practice group; Banking & Finance practice area moves into top 3; Houston and Boston markets gain momentum; Holland & Knight snags most Corporate M&A Securities partners

WHAT WE’RE SEEING

Corporate M&A Securities Most Active Practice Area: Corporate M&A Securities made a healthy jump this quarter, usurping Commercial Litigation for the top spot. More than 1 in every 4 moves in Q2 was made in this practice area. Meanwhile Commercial Litigation cooled from 22% of moves in Q1 to 17% in Q2. 

Banking & Finance Rounds Out Top 3: Following Corporate M&A Securities and Commercial Litigation, Banking & Finance moved into the third-most-active practice area in the second quarter. Twenty-five firms added Banking & Finance partners in Q2, without any one accounting for a significant portion. Going forward, we’ll be interested to see how economic uncertainties affect lateral hiring in this practice area.

Houston, Boston See More Action: Dallas dropped out of the top 10 cities drawing the most moves, while Chicago and Houston climbed a couple spots to claim number 4 and 5, respectively. Boston and Miami broke into the top 10, coming in at the 6th and 8th cities attracting the most partner moves.

Holland & Knight Scores 8 Corporate M&A Securities Partners: The firm that acquired the most new Corporate M&A Securities partners in Q2 was Holland & Knight, adding eight partners across its offices. Kirkland & Ellis followed just behind adding seven partners in this practice area.