The City of London witnessed a significant hiring boom at the top of the legal profession in 2025, with recruitment of senior partners soaring. This vigorous trend, led predominantly by US-headquartered law firms, is forecast to maintain its momentum throughout 2026.
US Firms Dominate as Partner Moves Spike
According to exclusive data from legal recruiter Edwards Gibson, first reported in the Financial Times, London's major law firms recruited a total of 668 partners over the course of 2025. This figure represents a striking 21 per cent increase compared to the previous year's data, coinciding with a period where UK employment levels rose above five per cent.
The driving force behind this expansion was clear: American law firms. Their strategic focus has been heavily centred on building and strengthening their private capital teams. This aligns with a year that saw a resurgence in London's IPO market during the final quarter and an unprecedented rate of private equity firms engaging in so-called 'self-sales'.
Private Capital and Tech Expertise in High Demand
Luke Woodward, a director at the global recruiter Major, Lindsey and Africa, confirmed that the surge in partner-level moves shows no sign of abating. "London continues to be a strategic investment priority for global law firms," he explained, noting that private capital will remain an evergreen area of interest for firms looking to expand their footprint.
However, the demand is broadening. Woodward highlighted an ongoing and high need for infrastructure lawyers, especially those with digital infrastructure expertise. "This is tied to the surge in AI development, which is, of course, now creating its own specialist lawyers with AI sector expertise," he added.
The Rise of the AI Legal Specialist
This prediction is already becoming reality in the legal market. The past year has seen rapid acceleration in AI adoption within the sector, with large firms integrating advanced technologies into everyday practice. In a landmark move back in November 2025, the 'magic circle' firm Linklaters unveiled its recruitment of a dedicated team of 20 specialist AI lawyers, signalling a new frontier in legal service offerings.
The overarching message from recruiters and market data is one of sustained activity. As firms compete for a limited pool of top talent with niche skills in private capital and technology, the legal recruitment landscape in London is set for another busy year.
