South East - Legal Market Overview
There are a wealth of firms in this region. Profiles of these firms range widely and include many branch offices of international, City and major UK national practices. In addition there are several highly rated single office firms together with practices that have several offices across the south east.
In line with the rest of the UK, the market in this region has continued to grow. Demand in all corporate and commercial specialisms has increased and commercial property has continued to thrive. There is a particular demand for lawyers at the two-year qualified and upwards level across these disciplines. This has resulted in firms in this market having to increase their salaries – both to retain existing fee-earners and to attract new talent.
An increasing number of lawyers opt to explore their options in this region as an alternative to the City firms. Lawyers are attracted by excellent quality work and they are finding that they do not need to compromise in this respect if they decide to leave the City. They enjoy quality of life benefits, better prospects for advancement, proximity to London and relatively high regional salaries.
This region also continues to attract high profile London partners wanting to move out of the City – further compounding the notion that traditional City clients can indeed be serviced from this region and that the quality of work is commensurate with work in the City.
Legal salaries
With the exception of London the South East offers some of the highest salaries in the UK. Proximity to London has resulted in firms having to keep their salaries at a competitive level. In order to try and retain home-grown talent many of the larger firms have increased their newly qualified salaries. This, coupled with general increase in demand, has resulted in salaries being increased at all levels. So for lawyers looking to relocate, the time is ideal to explore a range of top firms in attractive locations.
For further information on the legal market and job opportunities in the South East contact:
Ailish AllenT: 020 7415 2828
E: ailishallen@taylorroot.com