City A.M. cites Edwards Gibson on the ‘rise of partner vetting at law firms’.

We are pleased to share that Edwards Gibson has been prominently featured in City A.M.'s recent article titled, "One bad apple: The rise of partner vetting at law firms," authored by Maria Ward-Brennan. The piece explores how law firms are intensifying their due diligence process when hiring lateral partners, as reputation and performance pressures mount in an increasingly competitive UK legal market. ​

Ward-Brennan highlights the importance of looking beyond a candidate’s CV, noting that firms are now conducting deeper investigations into a lawyer’s track record and cultural fit before making hiring decisions. She writes, “the numbers don’t lie: across the legal market in 2024, 546 partner moves were recorded, as recruiter Edwards Gibson revealed in its annual report in December, showing figures have increased year-on-year since 2022.”

Our director, Scott Gibson, offered key insights into the forces driving this trend, pointing to the aggressive expansion of US law firms in London. As cited in the article, “The reason… is in large part due to the continued huge investment bets by US law firms,”. These firms have made substantial investment bets, offering premium pay packages to attract top-tier talent, affecting the wider hiring market.

The article also emphasises how lateral hires are no longer just about legal expertise, hires are expected to have strong business development capabilities to contribute to the firm’s growth and, therefore, value.

These trends underscore the growing complexity of lateral hiring, where reputation, client relationships, and long-term strategic fit are now under sharper scrutiny than ever before.

Read the full City A.M. article here.

Hyperlink to other city am article referencing Edwards Gibson: Hiring frenzy at London law firms as 'apex predator' disrupts market