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Jeffrey Lowe, CenterPeak LLC's market president for Washington, D.C., said the market for government attorneys is still "very, very healthy," but that the unprecedented level of interest means that firms are focusing more on high-profile candidates.

"It's very crowded, and I think those who aren't at the very highest positions in government will find it more challenging right now than we've seen in years past," he said.

There is a belief among law firms that those in higher positions will be able to generate more business, Nonaka said.

Recruiters in the nation's capital reported a surge in calls after Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris this past fall, with many lawyers worried about how his plans to reshape the government would affect them.

Since then, "I think their fears have been realized," said Nelson, host of the "Steve's Rules" podcast.

In his first few weeks in office, Trump has undertaken mass firings, ordered the end of remote work, implemented a buyout plan for government workers and dramatically changed enforcement priorities. Job losses have touched a range of attorneys, from those whose entry-level offers were rescinded because of the federal hiring freeze to high-profile officials the president fired.

While there is always turnover of political appointees around elections, Nelson said the difference this time is that rank-and-file lawyers who would typically have job stability through administrations are either being forced out or fear that they will be.

He added that some firms are waiting to see whether any of their attorneys end up being tapped for roles in the Trump administration, "so that's still a factor" in their hiring decisions.

In recent weeks, firms in the nation's capital have announced a number of hires from the federal government, with firms including Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Crowell & Moring LLP, Sidley Austin LLP and White & Case LLP bringing on lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Attorneys from federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have also recently landed at law firms.

High-level government officials "are still getting multiple offers," said Amy Savage, a partner with the search firm Garrison. "The more highly visible a candidate is, the more traction they're getting in this market."

For government attorneys unfamiliar with private-sector job hunting, meanwhile, Lowe recently held free webinars on how to approach the process.

"For many, this has been a bit of a crisis for them, and they urgently need advice about how to pursue a new job," he said. Many "haven't looked for a job in a long time and aren't familiar with how the market currently works."

Looking ahead, international trade and administrative law are among the practice areas expected to be in demand during the Trump administration, Nelson said.

There is also interest in lawyers with backgrounds in national security, cybersecurity and privacy, Nonaka said. Meanwhile, work in areas such as white collar and securities enforcement is expected to decline, she said.

Although the hiring process is taking longer than normal, "we are pleased to see that folks are still getting interviews," Nonaka said. "It is slow, but not stopped."

Still, candidates are likely to find more opportunities if they can wait it out "until the market is able to just settle," she said. This will also help them "better position themselves as being able to help advise clients in front of this new Trump administration."

"My message for anyone right now is, if you can stay, stay," she said.