21 Oct London market update
As we roll into the final quarter of 2020, the London lateral recruitment market is still undoubtedly suffering from the knock-on effect of the global pandemic.
That said, almost every lawyer we speak to is working at close to full capacity. Our contacts report that client demand has noticeably picked up in transactional teams in recent months, while disputes and restructuring teams have seen their caseload remain steady throughout the last half-year. All signs point to the traditional deal rush through to Christmas; in these uncertain times, it is certainly reassuring to know that some things never change!
We have also been briefed on a number of new, interesting roles across Corporate M&A and Banking & Finance in recent weeks (areas which have, until recently, been very quiet). This suggests a gradual recovery, and though we are still a long way from ‘business as usual’, demand for experienced lawyers is slowly starting to move in the right direction.
Lawyers who are considering a lateral move in the next 6-12 months should start thinking about refreshing their CV and deal/matter sheet, and keeping a close eye on the market. The lack of lateral opportunities on the one hand, with the noticeable up-tick in lawyers actively seeking roles on the other, will make finding a new role as competitive as it has ever been.
With all that in mind, we are more than happy to discuss live (and potentially upcoming) opportunities in London, as well as advise on longer-term positioning and career planning tactics. Interested candidates should drop their local Montgomery contact a line, or get in touch with Glenn Johnston in London office for a confidential chat.
