Lateral movement in Big Law was already expected to grow in early 2025, industry recruiters and analysts say. But Donald Trump's White House victory on Tuesday is expected to have an impact on which practices are in demand, and thus, where firms will see lateral activity.

For instance, lawyers in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and trade practices may be in demand, even more so because of the election results, say some recruiters, while demand for new talent in some regulatory and restructuring practices may slow down amid a busy deal environment.