Law firms saw a record-breaking influx of attorneys from government agencies in July 2025, continuing a four-year growth trend. This year’s spike appears tied not only to ongoing downsizing within federal agencies but also to firms making opportunistic hires of well-credentialed former government lawyers. The addition of this talent is strengthening firm capabilities in regulatory compliance, investigations, antitrust, and enforcement defense.
Record-Breaking Growth in July 2025
The chart below illustrates a dramatic jump in government-to-law-firm hires.
From July 2024 to July 2025, the number of attorneys moving from government roles to private practice nearly tripled — climbing from 43 hires last year to 122 hires this July:
This growth underscores the intensifying competition for attorneys with insider expertise on regulatory and enforcement matters.
Law Firm Hires from Government in July (2022-2025)
Top Government Sources of Private Practice Moves – July
In July, several government agencies accounted for the largest share of attorney transitions into private practice:
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
These moves appear to be driven in part by the current administration’s downsizing of federal agencies, which has prompted a wave of departures. At the same time, law firms are making opportunistic hires of highly credentialed attorneys from these agencies, recognizing the value they bring in navigating complex regulatory and enforcement matters.
Leading Firms Hiring Former Government Attorneys
Among the law firms most active in July 2025:
- Greenberg Traurig
- Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
- Littler Mendelson
- Covington & Burling
- Latham & Watkins
These firms are strategically investing in government talent to expand their capabilities in enforcement defense, regulatory investigations, antitrust, healthcare, and compliance matters.
Staying Ahead in a Competitive Talent Market
The continued hiring surge shows no signs of slowing — and competition for government talent remains intense. As Business Insider recently highlighted, attorneys with federal enforcement experience are among the most sought-after lateral hires, even in an increasingly crowded recruiting landscape:
“Law firms continue to prioritize government attorneys for their insider expertise, particularly in regulatory and investigative practices.”
By leveraging Firm Prospects’ real-time data on attorney movement, law firms, recruiters, and search professionals can:
- Track where top talent is coming from — and where it’s going
- Identify practice areas with accelerating demand for government expertise
- Benchmark competitors to refine hiring and retention strategies
In today’s market, the firms that act fastest on emerging hiring trends gain a measurable advantage.
Visit www.firmprospects.com to learn more.
