Big Law outside London: crumbling offices, crumbling strategies

04/11/24 • 32 min

Regional offices have long been critical to some of the UK’s biggest law firms.

The essential components of today’s DLA Piper came from across the country, legacy Eversheds was formed of four firms from outside London, and Pinsent Masons was a Birmingham and Leeds outfit before it opened in London.

But in recent years, some of those firms’ regional offerings have started to look like the offices they are housed in: old, crumbling, unloved.

So on this episode of The Lawyer Podcast, we take a look at what Big Law is doing in England and Wales outside London, and why upstart regional firms are stealing their lunch.

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Regional offices have long been critical to some of the UK’s biggest law firms.

But in recent years, some of those firms’ regional offerings have started to look like the offices they are housed in: old, crumbling, unloved.

So on this episode of The Lawyer Podcast, we take a look at what Big Law is doing in England and Wales outside London, and why upstart regional firms are stealing their lunch.

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The SQE: Students deserve better than this

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Grabbing the attention of aspiring solicitors and spectators alike, criticism of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination has torn through the media over the weeks following the most recent set of results.

From City firms dropping training contracts from offer holders after failing on their first attempt, to questions over whether the exams really equip candidates for life as a newly-qualified solicitor.

This week, The Lawyer asks – what the hell is going on? Catrin and Christian are joined by deputy editor Rich Simmons and reporters Lucy Floydd and Charlotte Lear to discuss the trials and tribulations of this new exam.

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Emergency Episode: The SQE shambles

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