Edwards Gibson Data Featured in The Lawyer's Horizons Column “Shoosmiths is starting to reap the £1m reward”
Edwards Gibson's London partner moves data has been featured in the The Lawyer's Horizon column, which examines strategic trends shaping the legal market.
The article, “Shoosmiths is starting to reap the £1m reward” by Margaret Taylor focuses on Shoosmiths' transformation strategy and suggests that the firm's ability to achieve and maintain profit per equity partner (PEP) in excess of £1m is beginning to pay dividends in the lateral recruitment market. Drawing on Edwards Gibson data, The Lawyer observes that while overall London partner hiring activity has slowed slightly in 2026 following a record-breaking 2025, Shoosmiths has emerged as one of the City's most active lateral recruiters.
The article notes that by the end of August there had been 401 London partner hires, including both laterals and internal promotions, compared with 429 at the same stage in 2025. Although a late-year surge remains possible, the figures suggest that 2026 is unlikely to match last year's record total of 668 partner appointments.
Against that backdrop, Shoosmiths stands out. Having made eight London lateral partner hires during 2025, the firm has already matched that number during the first eight months of 2026, placing it alongside some of the world's most active lateral recruiters, including Paul Hastings and Latham & Watkins.
According to The Lawyer, Shoosmiths' recruitment success reflects chief executive David Jackson's strategy of repositioning the firm towards higher-value work, particularly in London and in areas such as private equity and real estate. Recent hires include partners from DWF and Trowers & Hamlins, as the firm continues its push up the market.
The article serves as a reminder that, notwithstanding broader market fluctuations, sustained profitability remains one of the most powerful tools available to firms seeking to attract lateral talent. As Shoosmiths continues its push up the market, its recent recruitment activity suggests that a £1m-plus PEP may be proving a persuasive part of the story.
Read the full article here (subscription required).