February 26, 2026
Willkie was included in The American Lawyer's 2026 Laterals Report for being among the most active firms for lateral partner recruiting. The Firm ranked #18 among the top 20 AmLaw 200 firms with the greatest number of lateral partner additions in the 2025 hiring year.
In addition, Ryan Blaine Bennett, Chair of Willkie’s Restructuring Group, and Brian Hamilton, a leading private equity and M&A dealmaker, were featured among “Big Law’s Biggest Lateral Hires of 2025,” as part of the report highlighting the most significant lateral partner additions across the legal industry.
Ryan and Brian were recognized for standing out in a fast-paced and highly active year of lateral hiring, and their additions reflect Willkie’s continued investment in strategic growth. Ryan, one of the industry’s most respected restructuring lawyers, joined the firm in November 2025. Brian, a nationally recognized authority on private equity and M&A transactions, joined in September 2025.
View The American Lawyer’s 2026 Laterals Report here (subscription may be required).
