New research from Witan Solicitors reveals that US-founded law firms in London provide a quicker route to partnership compared to their UK counterparts. While 80% of newly promoted partners at UK firms have between nine and 13 years of post-qualification experience (PQE), data from a sample of US firms in London indicates a slightly shorter timeframe.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Partner at a US Law Firm?
Witan Solicitors analysed data from 77 lawyers who made partnerships this year at the top US-founded law firms in London. The results show that more than half (53%) of the lawyers achieved partnership before reaching 10 years of PQE. Furthermore, 9 in 10 lawyers became partners before reaching 13 years of PQE.
On average, it takes 9.7 years for lawyers at US firms in London to be promoted to partners, with nearly half (47%) achieving this milestone within 7 years.
Average PQE for Partnership by Practice Area
Different legal specialisms require varying levels of PQE to achieve partnership. Witan's data highlights the following averages for key practice areas:
- M&A and Private Equity - 8 years
- Investment Funds - 7 years
- Restructuring - 6 years
- Capital Markets - 10 years
Fast-Track Partnership at Leading US Firms
Certain US-founded firms stand out for their accelerated paths to partnership. Witan’s analysis highlights two notable firms:
- Kirkland & Ellis - Across various specialisms, Kirkland & Ellis demonstrates a consistent trend of promoting lawyers to partnership within 6-7 years of PQE.
- Paul, Weiss - In the corporate practice area, Paul, Weiss follows a similar timeline, promoting lawyers to partnership within 6-7 years.
Qarrar Somji, Director of Witan Solicitors, commented on the findings: In response to the findings, Qarrar Somji, Director of Witan Solicitors said: “The accelerated career progression US-founded firms offer is a key weapon in their arsenal for attracting top legal talent. Understandably, the prospect of reaching partnership – with its associated prestige and financial rewards – within a shorter timeframe is a powerful draw for ambitious lawyers. By offering a faster track to partnership, US firms will continue to secure the best and brightest, making it harder for smaller firms to recruit and retain talent. This virtuous cycle allows US firms to maintain their dominance in lucrative sectors like private equity, ensuring their continued success in the competitive London legal market.
While the data reveals a slightly accelerated path to partnership at US firms, it's important to note that individual firm cultures and specific practice area demands can influence promotion timelines. When it comes down to it, demonstrating exceptional legal skills and consistently exceeding client expectations will be the difference between climbing the corporate ladder and not advancing further.”
If you have any questions about our findings or methodology, please email Lance (lhoneghan@witansolicitors.co.uk).
