East Midlands - Legal Market Overview
In the East Midlands as a whole, ever more eye-catching legal instructions are migrating away from London and to the region as clients recognise the quality of legal service provided by law firms at a significantly lower cost. Turnover and profits at the region’s leading commercial law firms for the most recent financial year bear this out.
With the likes of Eversheds, Browne Jacobson, Freeth Cartwright, Shoosmiths and HBJ Gateley Wareing, Nottingham boasts the largest number of ‘household name’ corporate law firms in the region and as such offers the widest range of opportunities to lawyers both in terms of size of law firm and specialism. Salaries here are the highest in the region but whilst they tend to compete with leading Birmingham law firms at the newly qualified level (approximately £40,000 in a few instances) the disparity widens a little at subsequent levels of PQE. Nottingham itself successfully combines a wide range of attractions that include a castle with spectacular views over the city and a network of caves running through it with a host of waterfront bars and entertainment venues along Canal Street.
Elsewhere in the region, Leicester (with firms such as Harvey Ingram and Spearing Waite), Derby (Flint Bishop and Geldards) and Northampton (Shoosmiths, Howes Percival, Hewitsons and EMW) are all home to a substantial number of leading law firms and offer viable alternatives for lawyers seeking that elusive balance between challenging, good quality work and a relaxing life with plenty of opportunities outside the office.
Salaries here still lag a little behind the neighbouring West Midlands region but nonetheless the latest pay reviews have seen newly qualified salaries rise to up to £39,000
For further information on the legal market and job opportunities in East Midlands contact:
Nick Jones or Tom PogmoreT: 0121 665 4920
E: nickjones@taylorroot.com
E: tompogmore@taylorroot.com