Yorkshire & Humber - Legal Market Overview
Leeds remains a highly competitive legal market, second only to London in terms of fees generated and numbers of lawyers. Over the last few years Leeds has seen tremendous growth, particularly across the top and middle tier firms and surrounding areas and the market is currently buoyant with opportunities for all. Though a modest-sized city, it boasts six comparatively sizable firms, five with national if not international coverage. These ‘’Big Six’ firms have now turned their attention to plc clients and companies with large legal expenditures and boast a multitude of clients from outside the Yorkshire region. In turn the opportunities for medium-sized and smaller firms to grow are excellent.
Sheffield boasts an active and energetic legal scene with a national and international firm presence including many Legal 500 practices. As a result of its industrial heritage, Sheffield was most commonly renowned for its contentious work. However, due to heavy investment and regeneration of the city, the number of businesses and plc’s that have built up a presence in the area has increased, and high quality commercial work continues to thrive in this area.
Hull is the third most active legal market in Yorkshire, with a number of household corporations including Smith & Nephew, Comet, Ideal Standard and Reckitt Benckiser plc combined with the coastal industries provide a closely connected, strong local economy and client expertise.
York has developed a strong service sector economy. Home to many legal 500 specialists and a wide range of blue-chip, scientific and technological businesses directly related to the University’s research facilities can be found.
Legal salaries
With the legal market being so buoyant and the boom in the regions showing no sign of slowing, there has been a major hike in salaries, most notably from the large national practices, in order to attract the best individuals to the region. This has had a ‘knock-on’ effect amongst mid-tier commercial firms, who have also had to increase their salary brackets to remain competitive.
With the region calling out for lawyers at all levels, relocaters are in a strong position to demand high salaries and relocation allowances, particularly those with experience in the commercial disciplines.
Read our Yorkshire & Humber legal market and salary overview>
For further information on the legal market and job opportunities in Yorkshire & Humber contact:
Mark BarnfieldT: 0113 394 6410
E: markbarnfield@taylorroot.com