Is the lateral candidate a good fit?  And if so, how can both the firm and the lateral hire navigate the ethical minefield for a successful future together?

It is no surprise that, in 2025, it is no longer a priority of young lawyers to start and end their legal career at the same firm. Gone too are the days when lawyers retired from a firm where they practiced for over 20 years. It is not uncommon for a firm to train an associate for 2-3 years only to have that person announce that the grass is greener in another pasture.  The revolving door is frustrating but not necessarily a ding on anyone’s resume because it is so common.

Because it does not appear that this will change anytime soon, this article offers guidance on how a firm can find the best fit, and then how both the firm…