Kelly-Anne Willis, Senior Associate, reviews the South West private practice market in 2025 and looks forward to continued growth in the New Year.
From Kelly-Anne Willis
Bristol remains one of the leading legal hubs in the UK and a hotspot for lawyers outside of London. The city continues to offer forward-thinking and progressive firms, excellent quality work and some of the highest salaries amongst the regions.
This year saw Simmons & Simmons raise their Bristol NQ salary to £96,000 – a big statement of intent that shows their commitment to attracting top talent!
Practice areas
This year, the property litigation market continued to thrive, with firms such as Freeths, DACB, Birketts, Thrings and Foot Anstey all adding to their highly regarded teams (at multiple levels). The demand in housing litigation also remained strong, but there were very few opportunities for general commercial litigators.
There has been a significant focus on senior hires across both real estate and corporate, with new teams in the real estate data centre space being a push for some of the leading international firms.
Employment has also been a busy area, with firms adding to teams from NQ through to Partner level. Lastly, there has been a significant focus on senior hires across both real estate and corporate, with new teams in the real estate data centre space being a push for some of the leading international firms.
Exacting standards
Growth plans also continue to be at the forefront for most of the leading firms as we look forward to the next 12 months. Having said this, standards are higher than ever when it comes to making a hire.
Processes have become tougher, with many firms conducting two- or even three-stage processes often including a technical assessment. Firms are committed to making the right hires, at the right time, ultimately supporting their finely tuned growth plans.
Hybrid policies
In terms of flexible working, not much has changed. Firms are continuing to offer lawyers the opportunity to work flexibly, with most firms offering a split of three days in the office and two days from home.
Some firms, such as Knights, operate a five-day office policy, but we highly doubt that other firms will follow suit.
Some firms have adopted a more “manage your own diary” approach with no office days expected, but these are few and far between. Some firms, such as Knights, operate a five-day office policy, but we highly doubt that other firms will follow suit as we head into 2026.
Overall, it has been a year of successful growth for most firms in Bristol, and this is likely to continue into the New Year. We are carrying out a number of end-of-year reviews with most of the leading Bristol firms so will be best placed to advise you on upcoming opportunities very soon.
