Lateral partner hires among Am Law 50 and Magic Circle firms in four major markets are up 9% through the first half of the year, recruiting firm Macrae found. Moves in New York and London, in particular, surged.

Additionally, the number of partner moves in investment management, funds and white-collar defense practices in the four markets has more than doubled from the same time as last year, Macrae said, adding that finance partner lateral moves also increased significantly. Litigation moves decreased, as did private equity.