Edwards Gibson data and commentary featured in Financial News article on 'How Slaughters, Macfarlanes and Travers Smith are surviving the US invasion'

Financial News’ article ‘Still mates? How Slaughters, Macfarlanes and Travers Smith are surviving the US invasion’ by Adam Mawardi explores how three of the UK’s most traditional and proudly independent firms — Slaughter and May, Macfarlanes and Travers Smith — are navigating an increasingly aggressive London market dominated by deep‑pocketed US rivals.

While Slaughters and Macfarlanes have largely avoided partner losses, Travers Smith has faced significant turbulence. According to Edwards Gibson data, nearly 30 partners have exited Travers Smith since late 2020, a dramatic shift for a firm once known for being almost hermetically sealed. In contrast, Slaughter and May has lost just four partners in the same period, and Macfarlanes 12.

Edwards Gibson director Scott Gibson adds erudite commentary, noting that even the most stable UK firms are not immune to US financial firepower, and warning that if top US players such as Kirkland & Ellis “really wanted Slaughters’ partners… it would be kidding ourselves to pretend it wouldn’t get them.” Gibson’s insights anchor Financial News’ examination of why some independents are holding firm — and why others are at greater risk of being shaken by the US invasion.

Read the full Financial News article here (paywall).