Even though law firm demand has slipped and associate lateral movement is slowing down, the number of partner laterals actually increased again in 2022, according to new industry data.

Partner moves in the Southeast, and in litigation, intellectual property and banking & finance practices have been especially pronounced, analysts at investigative intelligence firm Decipher said in a new report, adding that if “2021 was bonkers, 2022 is even crazier” on the lateral movement front.