Lauren Evans, Associate, reviews the East Midlands legal market in 2025 and shares her outlook for 2026.
From Lauren Evans
After a tough couple of years in 2023 and 2024, the East Midlands recruitment market has finally started to pick up.
We’re seeing more vacancies coming through and a steady recovery in transactional work. Real Estate teams, which suffered from freezes last year, are hiring again, with Residential Development busy and Commercial Development also gaining momentum.
Real Estate teams, which suffered from freezes last year, are hiring again.
Employment and Private Client have stayed consistent throughout, with roles available from NQ right up to Partner. That said, NQ opportunities in Real Estate, Corporate and Commercial have been harder to come by.
Firms have kept hold of their junior lawyers, which means fewer openings for those qualifying this year.
Salary stability
Salaries have mostly remained stable, although a handful of firms have increased their NQ rates to stay competitive. Some of the smaller regional firms have also boosted salaries in key areas to help retain talent and keep pace with the bigger players.
Some of the smaller regional firms have also boosted salaries in key areas to help retain talent and keep pace with the bigger players.
Recruitment in general has been competitive, especially at mid-level, where demand remains strong. Looking ahead, most firms now have clearer recruitment plans in place, and growth over the next year is expected to be more positive.
Mergers and investments
The region has also seen a wave of mergers, with several smaller and local firms joining larger regional outfits. Examples include Rothera Bray merging with Wilkin Chapman.
On the expansion front, the East Midlands has welcomed new offices from larger firms, too.
This trend has opened up new opportunities and created demand across certain practice areas.
On the expansion front, the East Midlands has welcomed new offices from larger firms, too. Irwin Mitchell opened a new site in late 2024, and Weightmans followed with a Nottingham office in 2025, both adding to the strength of the local legal market.
