Big Law Is Still Running the Geographic Expansion Playbook—And Winning

Why It Matters

Geographic expansion lets elite firms capture emerging client bases, diversify revenue streams, and compete for cross‑border work, reshaping the competitive landscape of legal services.

Key Takeaways

• Kirkland opens Nashville office with ten litigators
• Morrison & Foerster hires fifteen Perkins Coie partners for Seattle
• Paul Weiss adds Houston office alongside Kirkland M&A duo
• Pinsent Masons targets Warsaw with six senior partner hires
• Linklaters moves London HQ after thirty years on Silk Street

Pulse Analysis

The latest wave of office openings reflects a broader strategic shift among Big Law: growth through location, not just size. By planting roots in secondary markets like Nashville and Warsaw, firms tap into regional economies that are attracting technology, energy, and manufacturing investments. These cities offer lower operating costs and less competition for top legal talent, allowing firms to build deep client relationships early. Moreover, the presence of seasoned partners—such as Morrison & Foerster’s former Perkins Coie litigation leaders—provides instant credibility, accelerating market penetration.

Cross‑border demand is another driver. Pinsent Masons’ Warsaw launch positions the firm to service multinational clients seeking expertise in Central and Eastern Europe, a region experiencing rapid GDP growth and EU integration projects. Similarly, the Houston expansion by Paul Weiss and the influx of M&A specialists from Kirkland signal a focus on the energy and energy‑transition sectors, where legal work is becoming increasingly complex. By establishing local hubs, firms can offer on‑the‑ground insight, faster response times, and culturally attuned counsel—key differentiators in high‑stakes transactions.

These moves also reshape the competitive hierarchy. Traditional powerhouses are no longer confined to legacy markets like New York or London; they are dispersing talent and resources to capture emerging opportunities. The relocation of Linklaters’ London headquarters illustrates a willingness to modernize workspaces, supporting hybrid models and client‑centric designs. For clients, the trend promises greater access to top‑tier legal expertise regardless of geography, while for firms it creates new revenue pipelines and mitigates concentration risk. The geographic playbook, therefore, remains a winning formula for Big Law in 2026.

Big Law Is Still Running the Geographic Expansion Playbook—and Winning

By David Gialanella · February 19, 2026 · 7 minute read

A large, well‑resourced and committed entrant can grow to be among the largest “firms” in any market, and quite swiftly.

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Kirkland Opens in Nashville, Calling It “an Ideal Environment” for More Growth

Andrew Maloney

All told, the firm has about 10 litigators who have joined recently or will join the office soon. Kirkland also said it will add “a number of additional partners and associates across its transactional practices.”

February 10, 2026

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Morrison & Foerster Hires 15 Perkins Coie Partners, Launches Seattle Office

Samson Amore

The entire group consists of litigation partners, including a former chair of firm‑wide business litigation at Perkins Coie, David Perez.

February 5, 2026

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Paul Weiss to Open in Houston With Kirkland M&A Duo

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison joins a growing list of Big Law firms moving into the Houston market, following announcements from Sullivan & Cromwell and Dechert in January.

February 3, 2026

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Pinsent Masons Targets Warsaw With Six Partner Hires from DLA, CMS, GT, Dentons

James Jackson

The mid‑2026 launch indicates Pinsent Masons is making a serious bet on Poland, aiming to compete for high‑value cross‑border work in a key Central and Eastern European growth market.

February 3, 2026

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Linklaters’ New London HQ in Pictures

Molly G. Smith

After 30 years on Silk Street, the firm has moved to its new office.

February 2, 2026