The Lawyer’s Horizon article quotes Edwards Gibson in: “This is One Talent Game the Magic Circle Isn’t Playing”.

Edwards Gibson’s research was cited in The Lawyer's Horizon article, “This is One Talent Game the Magic Circle Isn’t Playing,” by Katy Dowell, which examines how the magic circle firms are taking a unique approach to lateral hiring compared to their competitors.

Data from Edwards Gibson shows that overall partner hiring in London has surged 27% above the five-year average, indicating a highly competitive market for legal talent. However, while many firms are aggressively pursuing lateral hires at the associate-to-partner level, the magic circle firms are choosing to focus on their traditional strategy of internal promotions, maintaining a homegrown partnership model rather than engaging in first-time partner hires from outside.

Scott Gibson, Director at Edwards Gibson, provided insights into the hiring trends, explaining that the magic circle’s strategy of avoiding external first-time partners is a calculated effort to preserve their firm culture and existing partnership structures. He noted that, despite the market competition, these firms remain confident in their ability to nurture and retain talent from within their ranks.

The article also highlights how the approach of the magic circle contrasts with US firms, which are more inclined to offer lucrative packages to lateral hires in a bid to expand their footprint in the London market.

Read the online version of The Lawyer article (paywall) here.