Election time always means mass change in Washington, D.C.—even midterm elections, where the presidency isn't up for grabs. This year is no different, and law firms are preparing themselves for potential changes of leadership in the Senate and significant movement in the House of Representatives.

If the polls are to be believed, Republicans are set to take back control of the Senate and make gains in the House. Yet the future is not so clear-cut. Social issues have once more rocked the country—in particular, the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, suddenly revoking women's long-held reproductive rights—and some pundits believe the backlash will be enough to keep Democrats in power. Against this backdrop, law firms with offices in the Beltway are busy preparing for either eventuality, because what happens in the halls of power directly impacts the bottom line of law firms whose business revolves around the nation's capital.

Lateral hiring has been front and center in how many firms are preparing. As lawyers in government move into—or return to—private practice, the lateral market has been a hive of activity. Top of mind are lawyers in the practice areas that will be most impacted by legislative decisions, no matter the political persuasion of congressional leadership—antitrust, securities litigation and regulation, and congressional investigations to name but a few.