The Lawyer Cites Edwards Gibson Data in “For Latham, the past is another country”.

Recruitment data from Edwards Gibson has been featured in The Lawyer’s recent article, “For Latham, the Past is Another Country,” which explores the challenges and strategic shifts faced by Latham & Watkins in London over the past year. The article highlights how the firm’s record year in deal-making was accompanied by an unprecedented wave of partner departures, with Edwards Gibson data revealing that Latham saw more partners exit its London office in 2024 than any of its competitors.

According to Edwards Gibson's research, a total of 13 partners left the firm last year, with nine joining Sidley Austin, including notable figures such as former London managing partner Jay Sadanandan and competition partner Elisabetta Righini. This exodus, coupled with recruitment consultant insights, has fuelled industry speculation regarding the impact of Latham’s recent remuneration overhaul, which introduced new compensation tiers to reward top performers while broadening the firm's bonus pool eligibility.

Commenting on the trend, industry sources cited in the article suggest that the departures may stem from a cultural shift within the firm, as partners reevaluate their positions in light of the evolving compensation structure and market competition. However, Latham leadership has maintained that the firm remains committed to its core values of teamwork and ambition, with an emphasis on internal promotions and strategic growth across key practice areas.

With London being Latham’s second-largest global office, these partner movements are being closely watched by the legal industry as the firm looks to sustain its strong market position heading into 2025.

Read the full article on The Lawyer here