The Non-Billable Podcast welcomes back Scott Gibson as Featured Guest: “Why US firms are still winning the talent battle in London”

Edwards Gibson Director Scott Gibson returned to The Non-Billable Podcast to discuss the current state of the London partner market and the key trends shaping hiring activity. The conversation focused on why US firms continue to dominate the competition for top-tier partner talent.

Drawing on Edward Gibson’s market-leading data of London partner moves, Scott outlined why lateral activity has remained close to record levels despite a more challenging economic environment. He examined the ongoing impact of US firms in the London market and highlighted the areas continuing to attract the most attention, including infrastructure and private equity real estate due to firms exploring new areas of growth tied to the AI boom. He pointed to the financial power of US firms – in particular US LLPs – and their ability to exploit what he describes as a “home turf disadvantage” for UK firms, particularly when it comes to compensation and partnership structures.

The conversation also examined how the shape of partnership itself is evolving. Scott discussed the dramatic growth of non-equity tiers at elite US law firms, more flexible (and sometimes more aggressive) remuneration models, and the increasing expectation that partners arrive with a clearly demonstrable “book” of business.

He also offered a more nuanced take on market disruption, arguing that events like the current wave of law firm mergers often create unintended lateral hiring opportunities, as internal tensions and cultural mismatches push partners to move.

More broadly, Scott questioned the structural stability of elite US law firms in particular, and why these seemingly extremely powerful and influential entities may be more vulnerable than they appear, creating both risk and opportunity for lawyers navigating the market today.

Listen to the full Non-Billable Podcast episode here.