Law Firms in London - War Zone of Competition

 The latest law firm to begin practcing law in London is China-based Yingke. With a lot of hoopla it opened its London office. That's part of its master plan to expand beyond China with 100 more international locations by 2026. Currently Yingke is the largest law firm in the world in terms of lawyer head count. Right now that totals 16,205.

Yingke is entering a war zone of competition. 

Long there have been the Magic Circle firms such as Clifford Chance and Linklaters. There are also the US firms which have been there since the 1970s such as Cleary Gottlieb. Then there are those which have entered a bit later such as Kirkland & Ellis and Jones Day. 

The most recent to set up shop has been Paul Weiss with its focus on leveraging client bases in Europe. Paul Weiss' own kind of hoopla was created through its two raids on Kirkland & Ellis' star talent.

Meanwhile, well known is how hard the associates must work in London. Financial Times documents:

"Associates are expected to bill close to 2,000 hours a year at most top US firms to receive their bonuses. That equates to eight billable hours every working day of the year and does not include the many non-billable hours worked. Magic circle firms demand about 1,700 hours, according to legal recruiters."

On professional anonymous networks there are warnings to not apply for London law jobs unless you are willing to put in hellish hours. An added warning is that there is a tendency to chop off associates who don't meet the "quota." 

The market there seems unforgiving. With the intense competition maybe it has to be that way. The gallows humor could be: Lawyers in London don't take in many Shakespeare plays.

Life is hard. Business is even more difficult these days. Get answers – and relief. Jane Genova is a results-driven intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator related to careers. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)