US Litigation Market Overview 2024: Geographic Expansion and Litigation Boutiques Reshape Legal Landscape

Florida remained a prime target for national law firms seeking to establish a presence in the state. As one source noted, "National firms realized it's the place to be," leading to an influx of firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, and Winston & Strawn. The state's expansive business community and the shift from a "local practice with local clients" to a broader market attracted law firms.

Similar trends were observed in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. Sources reported "seeing more national and regional firms coming to the market and making a presence" in Arkansas and Pennsylvania. In Tennessee and the wider region, the "sheer number of emails and phone calls from recruiters" indicated numerous firms were eyeing the Nashville market for acquisitions, new offices, or lateral hires.

Utah experienced a surge of law firms seeking to develop a "robust presence" in Salt Lake City over the past two years. Meanwhile, Seattle continued to be "a growing city and attractive to many nationwide firms," benefiting from an increase in cases going to trial and a higher appetite among corporates to litigate disputes, which created a "boom time for the boutiques."

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In established markets, trial-focused boutiques like Quinn Emanuel, Hueston Hennigan, and Wilkinson Stekloffhave become leading destinations for high-stakes litigation work. Several midsize and boutique firms, including Texas-based Vartabedian Hester & Haynes and Murphy Ball Stratton, saw their profiles rise as disputes expertise became increasingly valuable.

Texas, with its "booming economy" and growing number of Fortune 500 companies, presented "huge business opportunities" for new market entrants outside of Big Law firms, cementing the state's reputation as a competitive market for litigation boutiques.