East Anglia - Legal Market Overview
Some people still forget that East Anglia has a remarkably strong legal market. The relative proximity of the region to London and the excellent transport links mean that many of the UK’s top law firms are based in the region. Over the last year, the leading practices have continued to expand and Cambridge has attracted yet another heavyweight law firm.
The three main legal centres in the region are Cambridge, Norwich and Ipswich but there are also a number of large and highly profitable firms in Peterborough, Chelmsford and Colchester.
As one of the major technology clusters in the world, Cambridge holds a unique position in the UK. The University of Cambridge, one of the UK’s leading scientific research institutions, is behind the proliferation of the biotech and R&D businesses in the region and is responsible for many of the larger practices creating dedicated high tech and biotech groups.
Suffolk is dominated by Ipswich, only an hour’s train journey from London. As you would expect from a city with a long and proud maritime tradition, the largest Ipswich firms have significant shipping and transport practices and there are a handful of high-quality niche practices.
In Norfolk, the historical city of Norwich is home to the clusters of financial services in the eastern region, it currently boasts a thriving economy and a track record of major developments. The legal market is buoyant in Norwich and regional heavyweights offer the opportunity to enjoy top quality work in beautiful countryside surroundings.
Legal Salaries in East Anglia
The large commercial firms often compete with the London practices for both work and lawyers. The increased competition amongst firms for high quality, ambitious fee-earners, together with well documented salary increases in the City, has driven up remuneration levels in the region. Although salaries are not the highest outside London, the gap does seem to be closing. Talented lawyers continue to be tempted away from the 'big smoke' in search of a City-style firm that can offer an improved quality of life and genuine prospects for career advancement.
For further information on the legal market and job opportunities in East Anglia contact:
Toria Walker
T: 020 7415 2828
E: toriawalker@taylorroot.com