Moving to the regions: Birmingham

Lifestyle in Birmingham

Birmingham offers a number of lifestyle benefits including: 

• Green spaces: Plenty of parks and outdoor areas for relaxation and recreation

• Arts & culture: A lively arts scene with theatres, music venues, galleries, and museums

• Diverse food scene: A wide range of dining options reflecting the city’s multicultural population

• Sports & recreation: Top-notch sports facilities and outdoor activities like canal walks and countryside excursions

Living essentials

Birmingham offers a practical, affordable, and well-connected lifestyle: 

• Affordable living: Lower cost of living compared to London, with budget-friendly housing and everyday expenses

• Job opportunities: A diverse job market in finance, tech, healthcare, and more, with strong support for business growth

• Education: Home to prestigious universities and quality schools, both state and private

• Central location: Easily reach other major cities via excellent road, rail, and air connections

• Shorter commutes: Less time spent commuting, leading to a better work-life balance

• Ongoing development: Significant investments in infrastructure, making Birmingham a hub for innovation and growth

The legal sector in Birmingham

Birmingham is a key hub for the UK’s legal sector, with a strong presence of both national and international law firms offering a wide range of services.  

Key locations in the city centre 

• Colmore Business District: A major hub for legal firms, professional services, and corporate offices. Colmore Business District is home to prestigious law firms like DLA Piper, Gowling WLG, and Pinsent Masons, as well as major financial institutions and corporate headquarters.

• Brindley place: A prime location with a mix of law firms, corporate offices, and financial services. Companies like Deutsche Bank and Deloitte have significant legal departments here 

• Snow Hill: An area with modern office developments and several law firms, close to key transport links, making it a strategic location for legal professionals

Law firms and chambers 

• National and international firms: Birmingham hosts major law firms like DLA Piper, Gowling WLG, Pinsent Masons, and Eversheds Sutherland, all with significant offices in the city

• Specialised practices: The city’s firms specialise in various areas such as corporate law, intellectual property, real estate, family law, and employment law

Legal services and institutions 

• Birmingham Law Society: One of the UK’s oldest law societies, providing extensive support and resources to legal professionals

• Educational institutions: The University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University offer top-tier law programmes, producing highly skilled graduates 

Legal jobs in Birmingham

Birmingham offers a wide range of legal job opportunities in both private practice and in-house roles, particularly in central areas like the Colmore Business District. 

Private practice opportunities 

Commercial law: 

• Roles: Solicitors in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, commercial contracts, and intellectual property

• Employers: DLA Piper (corporate law), Gowling WLG (corporate, IP, real estate), Pinsent Masons (infrastructure, energy, financial services)

Real estate law:

• Roles: Solicitors handling commercial property transactions, development projects, and landlord-tenant disputes

• Employers: Eversheds Sutherland (real estate services), Shoosmiths (commercial and residential property law)

Employment law:

• Roles: Advising on employment contracts, disputes, and regulatory compliance

• Employers: Mills & Reeve (employment law), Shakespeare Martineau (comprehensive employment law services)

Litigation and dispute resolution:

• Roles: Handling civil and commercial litigation, arbitration, and mediation

• Employers: Squire Patton Boggs (international arbitration, complex litigation), Gateley (dispute resolution services)

Specialist law firms:

• Roles: Niche areas such as family law, immigration, and environmental law

• Employers: Anthony Collins Solicitors (social purpose and public sector work), Irwin Mitchell (personal injury, medical negligence)

In-house legal team opportunities 

Corporate legal departments: 

• Roles: In-house solicitors handling corporate governance, compliance, contracts, and employment law

• Employers: HSBC (financial services), Jaguar Land Rover (automotive industry), Severn Trent (regulatory and environmental law)

Accountancy and professional services firms:

• Roles: Legal advisors within multi-disciplinary teams, focusing on tax law, corporate transactions, and regulatory compliance

• Employers: PwC (legal services), KPMG (tax and corporate law), Deloitte (expanding legal services division)

Public sector and non-profit organisations:

• Roles: Legal counsel for public bodies, charities, and educational institutions 

• Employers: Birmingham City Council (municipal law, regulatory issues), University of Birmingham (academic, research, and employment law)

Salary bands for private practice law firms in Birmingham

The salary for solicitors in Birmingham varies significantly based on experience and the type of law firm.

For detailed salary information, please see our Taylor Root Salary Maps.

Key Considerations

Additional benefits: Many firms offer bonuses, profit-sharing and other benefits that can significantly increase overall compensation

Type of law firm: Salaries tend to be higher in top-tier or international law firms compared to regional or smaller firms

Specialisation: Solicitors in high-demand practice areas like corporate, finance, real estate and commercial/technology law often command higher salaries

Location within Birmingham: Firms located in the Colmore Business District or other prime areas may offer higher salaries compared to those in less central locations

Housing costs in Birmingham and West Midlands

The West Midlands region, which includes cities such as Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and the surrounding areas, has a diverse housing market. Here’s an overview of the average house prices in the region, focusing on the most recent data available. 

Average House Prices in the West Midlands (as of 2024)  

• Overall Average: £250,000 – £260,000 

• Detached Houses: £400,000 – £450,000 

• Semi-Detached Houses: £250,000 – £300,000 

• Terraced Houses: £200,000 – £240,000 

• Flats/Apartments: £150,000 – £180,000 

Overall, the West Midlands offers a relatively affordable housing market compared to other regions in the UK, particularly London. Birmingham, being the largest city in the region, has a wide range of housing options catering to different budgets and preferences, making it an appealing choice for many potential homebuyers. 

Benefits of working with Taylor Root

Expertise and connections: Taylor Root excels in legal recruitment, offering deep market knowledge and established relationships with top law firms and corporate legal departments. Providing insights into salary benchmarks and industry trends provide valuable guidance, helping candidates make informed career decisions. 

Access to exclusive opportunities: Offering a wide range of roles, from newly qualified solicitors to senior partners and in-house positions. With access to exclusive job listings and a global network, Taylor Root connects candidates with unique opportunities worldwide. 

Efficient support: Taylor Root streamlines the job search process by managing applications and interviews, saving candidates time and effort. Providing tailored job matches, assist in negotiating salaries and contract terms, and offer interview coaching to enhance performance. 

Ongoing professional development: Taylor Root maintains regular contact to keep candidates updated on new opportunities and industry developments, fostering a long-term relationship to support future career moves. 

Trusted and discreet: Known for professionalism and proven success, Taylor Root ensures confidentiality throughout the job search, making them a reliable partner in achieving career goals.