header-logo header-logo

Niche disruptors in the Big Law market (Pt 2)

25 July 2025 / Author(s): Maurice Allen
Issue: 8126 / Categories: Career Clinic
printer mail-details
226369
Belonging to a boutique—all about balance or a bigger shift? Maurice Allen explains why boutiques are an increasingly attractive option for the next generation of talent

Is the rise of the boutique firm—and indeed other ‘alternative’ models like the platform firm—simply about addressing the desire to return to a time in the profession when people, legal excellence and client service mattered more than the bottom line?

Working to live

The assumption is that lawyers will follow the money and that this is the main criterion behind career decisions and the battle for talent, but it was not always thus. In fact, when US firms first came to London, lawyers and market commentators were quick to draw a contrast with the UK partnership model, delineating that the UK model was more about working to live rather than living to work.

However, the big UK firms were not immune from market criticism. When the Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms began their ascendancy, there were accusations from others that

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in

Job of the Week

MOVERS & SHAKERS

CBI South-East Council—Mike Wilson

CBI South-East Council—Mike Wilson

Blake Morgan managing partner appointed chair of CBI South-East Council

Birketts—Phillippa O’Neill

Birketts—Phillippa O’Neill

Commercial dispute resolution team welcomes partner in Cambridge

Gilson Gray—Jeremy Davy

Gilson Gray—Jeremy Davy

Partner appointed as head of residential conveyancing for England

Charles Russell Speechlys—Matthew Griffin

Charles Russell Speechlys—Matthew Griffin

Firm strengthens international funds capability with senior hire

DR Solicitors—Paul Edels

DR Solicitors—Paul Edels

Specialist firm enhances corporate healthcare practice with partner appointment

Laytons ETL—Scott Hilton & Simon Jones

Laytons ETL—Scott Hilton & Simon Jones

City firm launches real estate corporate team to meet growing client demand

back-to-top-scroll