BE THAT LAWYER · 2026-09-03 · 34 min
When law firms are waging bidding wars for top partners, and AI is reshaping billable work, how do lawyers actually take control of their careers? In this episode, you’ll hear how lateral moves, books of business, and smart networking can dramatically change your leverage - whether you stay in BigLaw or go out on your own. In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Stuart TenHoor discuss: Current demand for lateral partners and food and drug law specialists Counteroffers, LPQs, and smarter lateral partner integration Business development, books of business, and compensation gaps AI’s impact on associates, efficiency, and the future firm model Going solo, distributed firms, and strategic career planning with recruiters Key Takeaways: The lateral market for quality partners is extremely active, and firms that invest in thoughtful integration are winning the best talent. Counteroffers can derail months of work; smart firms and candidates address the possibility upfront rather than reacting at the last minute. A strong book of business dramatically increases leverage, compensation, and options, while pure “service partners” face more limits.
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