Leeds is one of the largest and fastest growing legal markets in the UK outside of London. For years, the market was dominated by the Big Six (Addleshaw Goddard; DLA Piper; Eversheds Sutherland; Pinsent Masons; Squire Patton Boggs; and Walker Morris). But, they arguable no longer rule the market as they now fish for work in larger ponds, leaving new firms to enter the city to take advantage of that gap in the market.
In this months UK Legal report, we therefore take a look at 26 of the UK top 100 firms, plus three key Independents with offices in Leeds – 38 per cent having only entered the city in the past nine years. These firms want access to talent and their client books, which could help their national and international expansion.
This report stratifies Leeds into a handful of groups based on headcount and determines who the big players truly are in the market. We also explore the opportunities and challenges facing firms in the city, tying in commentary from the law firm leaders who call Leeds home.
Our analysis shows that while the number of firms entering the city is on the up, the total number of lawyers practicing there is dropping. Data shows that there was a net decrease in the number of lawyers in Leeds over the past 12 months, most of whom left Leeds to work in London. No longer are firms merely competing regionally for talent, they have the City to contend with too.
To find out which firms are currently the biggest players in Leeds, read the full report now!
