Making the decision to leave your law firm is never an easy one, but so far in 2021, 450 partners in New York have lateraled to new firms within the Am Law 200—an increase from 296 for the same timeframe in 2020. These partners made the strategic decision to take this important step in advancing their careers after many months of forethought, research and discussion. A lateral move is never a quick decision or one to make on a whim. To successfully transition from one firm to another, you need to lay the groundwork early.