For many attorneys, the year-end stretch feels like a natural pause - court slows down, transactions ease, and firms turn their attention to budgets and forecasting. That slowdown creates a window that is quietly advantageous for lawyers considering a move in 2026.
First, December is one of the most effective periods for networking. Partners, in-house counsel, and other networking targets are generally more available, more reflective, and more willing to take a call or meet for coffee. A brief, low-pressure conversation now can position you for opportunities that will surface when hiring accelerates in Q1.
Second, the holidays allow space for strategic preparation. Updating your resume, evaluating your business plan, clarifying your compensation expectations, and assessing potential places you’d like to work are all tasks better handled before the new year’s demands return. Attorneys who do this groundwork early tend to move faster - and more decisively - when a suitable role opens.
Finally, firms begin shaping their 2026 hiring needs well in advance. By engaging with a recruiter during the holidays, you put yourself on the radar before search parameters crystallize, increasing the likelihood that you will be considered for marquee roles rather than reacting after they are already in play.
The holiday season may seem like a time to set career planning aside, but for lawyers thinking ahead, it is a strategic opportunity. A few thoughtful steps now can set the stage for a successful transition in 2026.