Expert Christopher Saul presents an analysis of the most significant changes in the British legal landscape over the last decade
On February 24, the LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession at IE Law School hosted Christopher Saul, former Senior Partner at Slaughter and May and founder of Christopher Saul Associates. During his talk, he provided a detailed analysis of the evolution of the UK legal market and the key challenges facing corporate boards in 2025.
The event brought together partners and executives from law firms and companies collaborating with the Center, offering them first-hand insight into the most significant changes in the British legal landscape over the past decade. Saul highlighted the impact of critical factors such as Brexit, the pandemic, and the growing influence of private equity and US firms in the sector.
Key transformations in the legal sector
In his presentation, Saul explained how, a decade ago, the so-called Magic Circle dominated the UK legal market, while US firms played a secondary role in London. However, this trend has shifted in recent years due to the expansion of firms driven by the rise of private equity and the recruitment of key talent in the UK.
Recent developments, such as the merger of Allen & Overy with Shearman & Sterling and the talent war between Kirkland & Ellis and Paul Weiss, have brought significant transformations to the sector. Additionally, major U.S. firms have made strategic hires in London and Brussels, offering salaries of up to $20 million for star partners, intensifying competition.
New York and London: The leading legal hubs
Today’s legal market is defined by a new global hierarchy in which New York and London have solidified their positions as the leading legal hubs. US firms dominate profitability and set the pace for the sector, while British firms seek strategies to adapt, such as expanding into the US and pursuing strategic mergers, though with mixed results.
Saul emphasized that the future of British firms will depend on their ability to retain talent and compete with the profitability of US firms. He also warned that these changes not only affect law firms but also their clients and corporate boards, which must navigate an increasingly uncertain and competitive landscape. The transformation of the legal market, the pressure to differentiate, and the need to adapt to new organizational structures will be key factors in strategic decision-making in the coming years.
About the LawAhead Center at IE Law School
The IE Law School’s LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession fosters reflection on the challenges and opportunities facing the legal sector in Spain and globally. The Center was initially made up of large business law firms such as CMS Albiñana, Cuatrecasas, Gómez Acebo y Pombo, Garrigues, Pérez-Llorca, Roca Junyent, Sagardoy Abogados and Uría Menéndez. Recently, other companies such as AENA, Caixabank, Mapfre, Microsoft and Telefónica.