US Law Firms in London
There has been limited recruitment at the senior associate/partner designate level, due to the majority of US firms having at least a 2 year track to partnership.
As the majority of senior associates make to gain partnership quicker, this is not an obvious route to enhance one’s position.
There have been instances recently where US firms in London have started to expand the London practice and thus there has been a strategic need to recruit senior associates as head of department with a view to partnership at a later stage. These individuals did not require followings.
Even though partnership may not be that quick, salaries offered can often be attractive enough to encourage UK lawyers to make the move and take the risk of a two year run-in.