Edwards Gibson data on vertical hires cited by Financial News

Edwards Gibson is delighted to have its market-leading research cited in Financial News’ recent article, “The Rise of ‘Day One Partners’ in Law”, which explores the growing trend of senior associates being elevated directly to partnership upon joining a new firm — a term Edwards Gibson pioneered in labelling as “vertical” hires back in 2019, according to our methodology, and which the article refers to as “day one partner”.

According to Edwards Gibson’s data, vertical hires accounted for 126 partner moves in London in 2024, representing 23% of all appointments. This marks a significant increase from 98 such hires in 2023, which represented 19% of total moves that year. These figures underscore a clear shift in recruitment strategies as firms seek to secure the next generation of talent in competitive practice areas such as private equity and finance.

Additionally, the article highlights how firms are increasingly targeting high-performing senior associates who may have limited books of business but strong potential for growth. This trend reflects broader market dynamics, including the pressure on firms to build depth in key sectors while managing costs associated with marquee lateral hires.

To read the full article, please click here (paywall).