The Non-Billable Podcast

Offshore law firms play a central role in major cross-border deals and disputes, yet the market remains unfamiliar to many lawyers.

Harneys global managing partner William Peake explains how the model works, why onshore law firms are its most important clients and how offshore jurisdictions compete for international business.

Peake reflects on the $9.2bn dispute that helped make his career and what lawyers can expect from a move offshore. The conversation covers recruitment, partner pay, advocacy opportunities and the reality behind the promise of high-quality work and weekends in the Caribbean.

We also examine private equity’s growing interest in offshore legal services, how Harneys is funding its expansion and the competitive risk posed by better-capitalised rivals. Peake also explains how his unusually candid LinkedIn presence has generated millions of views, opened doors with major firms and brought new work into Harneys.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Thomson Reuters. Request a demo of CoCounsel Legal, visit: https://legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.co.uk/en/products-services/cocounsel-legal-uk.html

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:40 How the offshore law firm model works

03:26 The $9.2bn litigation that made Peake’s career

07:56 Winning referrals from onshore law firms

10:29 Recruiting lawyers and building a career offshore

15:52 Partner pay, talent and accessible leadership

20:24 Private equity and the Harneys Fiduciary sale

33:06 Building Harneys’ profile through LinkedIn

43:10 Ireland and the firm’s next phase of growth

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

PwC’s latest law firm survey points to a growing divide in the UK legal market. The largest firms are pulling ahead, specialist players are finding profitable niches and parts of the mid-market are coming under increasing pressure.

Mark Anderson, who leads PwC’s professional business services sector, joins the podcast to explain why more law firm mergers are inevitable and how firms caught in the “squeezed middle” can respond.

We also discuss why widespread AI adoption has yet to translate into financial returns, how the technology could reshape pricing, whether external capital has a role in Big Law and why cyber risk is back at the top of the agenda.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Thomson Reuters. Request a demo of CoCounsel Legal, visit: https://legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.co.uk/en/products-services/cocounsel-legal-uk.html

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:40 What PwC’s survey says about the UK legal market

04:13 Why the top ten are pulling away

06:18 The problem facing the squeezed middle

11:19 Why more law firm mergers are inevitable

13:51 AI adoption versus AI monetisation

16:26 How AI could change law firm pricing

24:44 Partner funding, private equity and Big Law

32:21 Why cyber risk is back at the top of the agenda

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

King & Spalding is in growth mode in London. The office increased revenue by 48% last year, has expanded its footprint at 8 Bishopsgate and recently hired a major international arbitration and litigation team from WilmerHale.

London managing partner Tom Sprange explains why the office has become central to the US firm’s international strategy. It is now King & Spalding’s fourth-largest office, its biggest outside the US and a hub connecting the firm’s practices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The ambition is not to become a conventional full-service firm. Sprange describes a more selective model built around elite disputes, finance, private capital, investigations and regulatory work. He also explains why collaboration matters more than individual books of business, and why King & Spalding looks for practice builders rather than lawyers who simply claim to bring clients with them.

The conversation also explores the changing economics of international arbitration, the rise of the highly paid superstar partner and how firms can stop their best lawyers being poached. Sprange closes by setting out where King & Spalding could expand next and why the firm’s trainee pipeline remains important to its London plans.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Thomson Reuters. Request a demo of CoCounsel Legal, visit: https://legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.co.uk/en/products-services/cocounsel-legal-uk.html

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:40 Why London matters to King & Spalding

03:33 Revenue growth and the London practice mix

09:48 Not going full-service

13:12 Fund finance and making major team hires work

19:53 The WilmerHale raid and the changing arbitration market

23:36 How international disputes lawyers win clients

27:44 Superstar partners, pay and retention

32:51 The modern partner, AI and what comes next

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Walker Morris has nearly doubled in size over the past seven years while holding on to a model that looks increasingly distinctive: one office in Leeds and no international network of its own. Revenue reached a record £90.2m last year, leaving the firm within reach of its £100m Ambition 27 target.

Managing partner Jeanette Burgess explains why she believes the single-site model still works. The bigger question is what happens beyond £100m. Burgess says Walker Morris can continue scaling from Leeds for now, although the firm is reviewing its options as it develops its post-2027 strategy. She also discusses why the firm is attracting lawyers looking for greater autonomy than they may find at larger City and national firms.

In relation to AI, Burgess expects firms may need “fewer, better people” in some areas and anticipates a gradual move away from hourly rates for routine work. But she rejects private equity as an answer to the investment challenge, arguing that surrendering control would cut against Walker Morris’ partnership model.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Thomson Reuters. Request a demo of CoCounsel Legal, visit: https://legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.co.uk/en/products-services/cocounsel-legal-uk.html

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:35 Record growth and Jeanette’s path to leadership

05:13 Evolution, innovation and leading the firm

07:33 Walker Morris’ position in the market

09:13 The advantages of a single office in Leeds

16:01 How far can the model scale?

18:51 AI, talent and the future law firm pyramid

28:13 Why private equity is not right for Walker Morris

33:02 What comes after Ambition 27?

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Charles Russell Speechlys has expanded rapidly under managing partner Simon Ridpath, opening in Milan and Singapore before making a defining move into the US this year.

The strategy is built around the firm’s ambition to become the world’s leading adviser to private capital – following wealthy individuals, families and entrepreneurs as their lives and investments become increasingly mobile globally.

In this episode, Simon explains why the US had become an unavoidable gap in the firm’s network, what he learnt during two-and-a-half years studying the market and why CRS resisted the temptation to accelerate its launch simply by “opening a chequebook”.

We also go inside the 2014 merger that created Charles Russell Speechlys. Simon reflects on the unusual challenge of combining two genuinely equal firms, why he prefers to talk about behaviours rather than culture and why mergers pursued principally for scale should make law firm leaders nervous.

Finally, we explore one of the biggest questions facing the profession: how partnerships will fund international expansion, AI and the increasingly complicated business of running a law firm. Simon explains why private equity ownership remains difficult for Big Law, where external investment could work on a project basis and how technology may force firms to overhaul traditional pay and reward structures.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:55 Leading through constant disruption

03:08 From legal aid work to City law

04:59 Inside the Charles Russell Speechlys merger

09:18 Why Simon became managing partner

11:18 Building the firm around private capital

17:09 Why CRS finally entered the US

23:15 Following private capital into Milan and Singapore

26:23 Funding growth, private equity and the impact of AI

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Christian Bartsch is the CEO of Bird & Bird, the international law firm built around technology, IP and regulation. He joined the firm in 2007, became CEO in 2022 and was recently re-elected for a second term.

In this episode, Bartsch explains how he followed a leader who had run the firm for 26 years and why he involved the wider partnership in shaping Bird & Bird’s first five-year strategy.

He discusses the firm’s target of reaching €1bn in revenue by 2029, its recent expansion into Tokyo, Riyadh and Lisbon, and why India remains a market he watches closely. He also addresses law firm consolidation, external capital and the circumstances in which Bird & Bird might consider a merger.

The conversation then turns to AI, why Bartsch believes generic firms are vulnerable, how the traditional law firm pyramid may change and why training partners matters just as much as giving associates new tools.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:02 Christian’s journey from tech partner to CEO

02:51 Taking over after David Kerr’s 26-year tenure

04:59 Building a five-year strategy with the partnership

07:29 Bird & Bird’s sector focus and competitive edge

12:15 The €1bn revenue target and why growth isn’t the strategy

17:43 International expansion, Saudi Arabia and India

20:34 Big Law consolidation, US mergers and external capital

27:11 AI, the law firm pyramid and why generic firms could struggle

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Jo Farmer, joint managing partner of Lewis Silkin, joins the podcast to discuss the firm’s rapid growth and the strategy behind it.

She explains why Lewis Silkin has resisted chasing revenue for its own sake, instead focusing on organic growth, its core strengths and expanding into locations where it sees opportunities for both clients and talent.

Jo also talks about her own route into law, from growing up without any lawyers in the family to building a career in IP and advertising and eventually becoming joint managing partner.

She discusses why social mobility matters so much to her, and why she believes Lewis Silkin’s distinctive history continues to shape the culture of the firm today.

We get into leadership too, including why Jo never originally planned to become managing partner, what she learned from studying leadership at Cambridge and Harvard, and why she is a big believer in sharing the top job with fellow joint managing partner Richard Miskella.

Finally, Jo shares how Lewis Silkin is approaching AI, from its early adoption of Harvey to building its own employment product, Delphius.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:50 Jo’s journey to Lewis Silkin and managing partner

03:46 What makes Lewis Silkin different

08:06 Social mobility and opening up routes into law

10:02 Why Jo never planned to become managing partner

12:25 The case for joint managing partners

16:37 What Harvard taught Jo about leadership

22:47 The strategy behind Lewis Silkin’s rapid growth

30:34 AI, Harvey and the future of the law firm model

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

David Beech, CEO of listed law firm Knights, joins the podcast to discuss how he has built one of the UK's largest regional legal businesses since buying the firm in 2012.

He explains why Knights has prioritised people and cash over traditional law firm metrics, how the business has grown through almost 30 acquisitions, and why he believes law firms should separate ownership from management.

David also shares the thinking behind Knights' distinctive strategy. He discusses why the firm has no fee targets, why it manages through regional leadership rather than practice groups, and why culture is the first consideration when assessing acquisitions.

The conversation explores external investment in law firms, drawing on David's experience of private equity backing and taking Knights public in 2018.

He reflects on what it is like running a listed law firm, why he believes corporatisation is the long-term direction of the legal industry, and why minority investment may prove a more natural model for traditional partnerships than outright buyouts.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:50 Building Knights into the UK's largest regional legal business

05:47 Why people and cash matter more than fee targets

15:44 Rainmakers, culture and leading a collaborative law firm

21:34 Why Knights has no ambition to open in London

24:03 The acquisition playbook behind nearly 30 deals

33:58 Lessons from private equity and taking Knights public

38:42 Why more law firms won't follow Knights onto the stock market

42:44 The future of external capital in the legal industry

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Dom Griffiths, London managing partner of Mayer Brown, joins the podcast to discuss the strategy behind one of the firm's strongest years in London.

He explains why Mayer Brown has invested so heavily in private capital, how targeted lateral hiring is reshaping the practice and where he believes the firm can differentiate in an increasingly competitive transatlantic market.

Dom also reflects on more than two decades at Mayer Brown, his journey from structured finance partner to London managing partner, and what he's learned about leading a large international partnership.

He shares why consensus-building matters, how he approaches recruitment and why culture and client relationships remain at the heart of sustainable growth.

The conversation also explores the changing shape of the legal market, from AI and private capital to transatlantic competition and law firm mergers.

Dom explains why he believes technology will enhance, rather than replace, trusted advisers, and shares his views on what will separate the most successful firms over the next decade

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:59 From structured finance partner to London managing partner

05:18 Mayer Brown's place in the global legal market

11:53 Building a private capital powerhouse in London

18:46 The firm's approach to lateral hiring and growth

22:11 Leading a global law firm partnership

30:21 Transatlantic mergers and Mayer Brown's strategy

33:21 AI, private capital and the future of Big Law

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Richard Medd, managing partner of Browne Jacobson, joins the podcast to discuss how the firm has doubled revenue over the past six years - revenue for the most recent financial year came in at a record £149m - and the strategy behind its recent growth.

He explains why Browne Jacobson has invested heavily across its UK and Ireland network, the thinking behind its expanding London presence, and why he believes firms can be both ambitious and culture-driven.

The conversation explores the firm's approach to lateral hiring, its growing private equity, technology and real estate practices, and why Medd sees London as an increasingly important part of the firm's long-term strategy rather than simply a shop window for clients. He also discusses Browne Jacobson's expansion into Ireland and how the firm thinks about international growth.

We also discuss AI and legal technology, including the firm's rollout of Legora, how AI is changing the delivery of legal services, and why judgment and commercial context will remain critical skills for lawyers.

Finally, Medd shares his views on external investment in law firms, why private capital is unlikely to transform the upper end of the UK legal market overnight, and what the next phase of growth looks like for Browne Jacobson.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:40 Richard Medd's journey to managing Browne Jacobson

01:26 The strategy behind Browne Jacobson's rapid growth

06:33 Why London has become central to the firm's ambitions

15:01 Expanding into Ireland and what's next for the firm

18:55 Rolling out AI across Browne Jacobson

21:43 How AI will change legal services and lawyer training

24:59 External investment and private capital in law firms

28:13 Will a top UK law firm take external capital?

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Rebecca Anderson, Microsoft's head of legal for EMEA, joins the podcast to discuss how the in-house function at one of the world's biggest tech companies is adapting to the AI era.

She explains why Microsoft has overhauled its legal operating model, how AI is changing the role of lawyers, and why the function is increasingly becoming a strategic partner to the business rather than simply a legal adviser.

The conversation explores how Microsoft is deploying AI across its own legal department, from AI-powered legal triage to contract drafting and decision-making tools. Anderson also shares how the company thinks about legal tech, why the operating model matters as much as the tools themselves, and how Microsoft's lawyers are using AI to move away from repetitive work towards higher-value strategic advice.

We also discuss what Microsoft now expects from its external law firms in the age of AI, why AI fluency has become a baseline requirement, and how firms can differentiate themselves beyond simply adopting new technology.

Finally, Anderson shares her thoughts on the future of the profession, the new legal roles emerging alongside AI, and the skills lawyers will need to thrive over the next decade.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:45 From private practice to leading Microsoft's EMEA legal team

03:55 Rebuilding Microsoft's legal operating model for the AI era

09:40 How Microsoft is using AI inside its own legal department

18:00 Microsoft's legal tech strategy and the future of contract review

19:40 What Microsoft now expects from its external law firms

29:30 The changing role of the in-house lawyer

35:25 What Microsoft looks for when hiring lawyers

36:30 The future of legal work in the age of AI

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Brian Fahrney, chair of Sidley Austin's executive committee, joins the podcast to discuss the firm's transformation into one of the fastest-growing US law firms in London. He explains why Sidley spent years investing in private equity, how the strategy reshaped its London office, and why the firm remains bullish on the London market.

The conversation explores the growing importance of the "NYLON corridor", why US clients increasingly expect seamless transatlantic legal advice, and how Sidley thinks about growth, lateral hiring and building market-leading practices on both sides of the Atlantic.

We also discuss AI, law firm culture and leadership, as well as why Fahrney believes the legal industry is consolidating into a smaller group of global firms with the scale to invest in talent, technology and client service. Finally, Fahrney shares his outlook for the next decade of Big Law and explains what he believes will separate the industry's winners from the rest.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 Sidley's growth story and Brian's path to executive committee chair

04:46 Running a global law firm

07:00 Why talent is critical to Sidley’s strategy

11:56 How Sidley’s London office became a private capital platform

15:46 The deliberate push into private equity

17:49 Why the NYLON corridor matters

24:16 Big Law consolidation and the firms pulling away

29:08 Partnership structures, talent development and future leaders

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Segun Osuntokun, senior partner at BCLP, joins the podcast to discuss leadership, firm strategy and what it takes to run a global law firm while continuing to practise as a partner.

Having held senior leadership roles at the firm for more than seven years, he reflects on BCLP's recent return to growth and the long-term strategy behind it.

The conversation explores the lessons learned from the merger between Berwin Leighton Paisner and Bryan Cave, why Osuntokun believes successful integrations must start with clients rather than firm economics, and his views on the current wave of transatlantic law firm combinations reshaping the market.

We also discuss mental health, sustainable leadership and the demands of modern legal practice. Osuntokun shares his perspective on resilience, the importance of wellbeing in a people business, and the comments that sparked debate across the profession about sending non-urgent emails at weekends.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:36 From Nigeria to City law and becoming BCLP senior partner

04:26 BCLP's return to growth and the strategy behind it

07:35 How BCLP positions itself in the transatlantic legal market

09:12 Lessons from the Bryan Cave and BLP merger

13:34 US versus UK law firm culture: more similar than different?

15:47 Life as senior partner and balancing leadership with client work

18:19 Weekend emails, mental health and sustainable leadership

24:01 The future of Big Law, scale and BCLP's growth plans

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Private equity investment in law firms has become one of the most talked-about trends in the legal industry. But how much is actually happening? Why are investors interested in legal services, and what does outside capital mean for the traditional partnership model?

In this special edition of the podcast, Oliver is joined by Patrick Savage (Burford Capital), Peter Jackson (former managing partner of Hill Dickinson), Adil Taha (legal industry consultant), and Oscar Dean (Grant Thornton) for a candid discussion about the future of law firm ownership.

The panel explores why legal has become attractive to investors, whether private equity activity has slowed in recent months, what makes a law firm investable, and how external capital can be used to fund growth, technology and talent. They also discuss consolidation, succession planning, the differences between legal and other professional services sectors, and why some investors are becoming more selective about the firms they back.

Finally, the conversation turns to the biggest unanswered question in the market: exits. The panel debates whether private equity-backed law firms can deliver the returns investors need, who the eventual buyers might be, and whether outside capital will become a normal feature of the UK legal market over the next decade.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Introductions & setting the scene

04:40 Why investors are bullish on legal services

12:55 Why legal is different from accounting and other professional services

22:30 Has the private equity boom in law firms stalled?

27:30 Why law firms seek outside capital, and what changes afterwards

42:40 Talent, AI and the future law firm business model

53:50 The exit problem: IPOs, secondary sales and investor returns

1:03:50 Advice for law firm leaders and predictions for the future

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Tim Foden is co-head of the international arbitration group at Boies Schiller Flexner in London.

In this episode, he joins the podcast to discuss his path into arbitration, his time at Allen & Overy and Quinn Emanuel, and why he believes specialist disputes firms offer something fundamentally different to full-service law firms.

The conversation explores the business of international arbitration, from commercial disputes between companies to high-stakes claims brought by investors against states.

Tim explains how investment treaty arbitration works in practice, why resource nationalism continues to drive disputes around the world, and what it is like handling cases involving governments, mining projects and politically sensitive assets.

Tim also shares his perspective on litigation funding, pushing back on the idea that funders encourage weak claims. He explains how funding has become a critical tool for many claimants, how funded cases are assessed, and why the UK Supreme Court’s PACCAR decision has had less impact on his practice than many predicted.

Finally, we discuss London's position as a global disputes hub, the outlook for arbitration and collective actions, and Boies Schiller Flexner's growth plans in the UK as the firm continues to expand its London disputes practice.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:34 From courtroom dramas to international arbitration

03:10 Allen & Overy, Quinn Emanuel and life at a disputes boutique

05:06 Why specialist disputes firms think differently

10:48 Joining Boies Schiller and rebuilding the London office

16:16 The business of international arbitration and investor-state disputes

22:30 Litigation funding, PACCAR and access to justice

30:59 Why London remains the world's leading disputes hub

33:55 The future of disputes and Boies Schiller's growth plans in London

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Headhunter Scott Gibson returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on what’s going on in the London partner market. As co-founder of Edwards Gibson, Scott tracks every major partner move in the City and has one of the clearest views of how the market is moving beneath the surface.

We discuss why partner movement remains near record levels despite a tougher economic backdrop, the continued influence of US firms in London, and how areas like private capital, infrastructure and real estate are driving demand. Scott also explains why mergers create far more disruption than firms like to admit, and why that often leads to opportunities elsewhere in the market.

The conversation also dives into the changing economics of partnership itself. Scott breaks down the rise of non-equity partnership structures, why UK firms face a “home turf disadvantage” against US rivals, and how compensation systems are evolving as firms compete for rainmakers.

We also talk about whether partnership is still as attractive as it once was, what top firms are really looking for when they hire laterals, and why law firms today may be more fragile than many lawyers realise.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

02:26 The London partner recruitment market explained

04:21 Why partner moves hit record highs in 2025

08:17 The hottest practice areas in Big Law right now

11:37 Will restructuring finally boom in London?

14:41 Are Magic Circle firms fighting back against US rivals?

21:30 What law firms really want from lateral partner hires

27:06 The rise of non-equity partnership in Big Law

45:44 Which recent law firm mergers will actually work

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Axel Koelsch, COO of private equity-backed legal group Lawfront, joins the podcast to discuss how outside investment is reshaping the UK legal market and why he believes consolidation is still in its early stages.

Koelsch explains how Lawfront’s model works in practice, why the group allows firms to retain their brands and leadership teams, and how central investment in areas like technology, operations and business services is becoming increasingly important as law firms face growing competitive pressure.

The conversation also explores what lawyers often misunderstand about private equity, the operational lessons Koelsch brought from senior roles at firms including Freshfields and Addleshaw Goddard, and why the traditional partnership model can struggle to move quickly enough in a rapidly changing market.

Finally, Koelsch discusses the future of the sector, including AI, scale, talent and why he expects further consolidation across both the regional and commercial law firm markets in the years ahead.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Axel’s journey from lawyer to law firm COO

03:25 Applying consultant-style strategy inside major law firms

07:18 Why Axel joined Lawfront

10:38 Inside Lawfront’s “national scale for regional leaders” model

14:31 How Lawfront integrates firms without losing culture

20:08 The Lawfront growth playbook: recruitment, pricing and EBITDA

22:25 Why equity partnership is becoming less attractive to lawyers

27:46 Why Axel believes consolidation in UK law is inevitable

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, Maria-Pia Hope - former managing partner of top Swedish law firm Vinge and now CEO of private equity-backed legal group AGRD - explains why she believes the legal market is entering a “paradigm shift” driven by AI, technology and changing client expectations.

Backed by Nordic PE firm Axcel, AGRD has already brought together eight Swedish commercial firms and is now one of the country’s largest legal groups.

Maria-Pia discusses how the model works in practice, with firms retaining their own brands, clients and day-to-day independence while pooling resources around AI, technology and central functions. The aim, she says, is to help entrepreneurial firms embrace industry change without losing their culture or identity, while also benefiting from faster decision-making and longer-term investment horizons.

The conversation also explores how private equity’s role in legal is evolving, with Maria-Pia arguing that modern investors bring expertise, operational support and strategic thinking rather than simply focusing on cost-cutting. She also discusses AGRD’s plans to expand further across the Nordics and eventually into the UK market, where the group sees significant opportunity.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Leading Sweden’s top law firm Vinge

03:50 Why Maria-Pia joined private equity-backed AGRD

06:07 Building a group of entrepreneurial commercial law firms

08:38 The “Nordic governance model” and preserving firm independence

11:15 AGRD’s AI and technology strategy

13:00 How private equity-backed law firms operate day-to-day

18:00 Leaving the Swedish Bar Association to take PE investment

19:50 AGRD’s UK expansion plans and the future of legal consolidation

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Today, we unpack the private wealth angle of Taylor Wessing’s merger with Winston & Strawn. Partners Gabriel Estevez and Nick Warr explain how the firm defines private wealth as a holistic, multi-service offering built around high net worth individuals and families, rather than a narrow private client practice.

They discuss how the market has evolved, with clients becoming more international and more sophisticated in how they structure and invest their wealth. Today, the vast majority of clients operate across multiple jurisdictions, and the rise of second and third-generation wealth is driving a more institutional approach to decision-making.

The conversation also touches on the migration of wealth out of the UK, with hubs like Milan and Dubai gaining traction. While recent tax changes have accelerated the trend, the shift has been underway for years - and for globally positioned firms, it often creates more complex, cross-border work.

Finally, they look ahead to the Winston Taylor combination, with private wealth set to be a core pillar of the new firm. The ambition is to build a genuinely integrated US-UK offering - something the market has so far struggled to deliver at scale.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Private wealth vs private client: what’s the difference?

02:54 How the private wealth market has evolved

04:37 The rise of international, mobile wealth

06:27 Are high net worth individuals really leaving the UK?

09:32 What private wealth lawyers actually do day-to-day

14:10 How Taylor Wessing positions its private wealth practice

20:10 Winning clients in a relationship-driven market

23:48 What the Winston Taylor merger means for private wealth

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, Dr Catherine Sykes, a psychologist and coach who works with City lawyers, explains why burnout is so common among high-performing professionals, and why it’s often misunderstood.

Drawing on decades of experience, she argues burnout is not simply about long hours, but “constant effort without psychological returns with no end in sight,” where meaning, satisfaction and growth are missing from the work.

The conversation explores the psychology of lawyers, particularly the role of perfectionism. Sykes also breaks down the early warning signs of burnout and why the instinctive response to “work harder” can make things worse. Instead, she argues that recovery often requires stepping back and in some cases seeking out new challenges to break out of unfulfilling work patterns.

The episode also dives into imposter syndrome. Her core message is that sustainable performance comes from shifting away from perfectionism towards high standards, building self-trust and ensuring work delivers meaningful psychological returns.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

02:35 From academia to coaching: specialising in burnout

04:37 The psychology of high-performing lawyers

07:12 What burnout actually is (and isn’t)

10:44 Early warning signs and what to do first

13:48 Breaking the burnout cycle and finding balance

16:28 Imposter syndrome explained

21:19 Perfectionism vs high performance

24:30 What peak performance really looks like

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, David Nicol, headhunter and co-head of Marsden’s US practice, breaks down the structure of the US legal market and how it has evolved over the past decade.

From the dominance of New York as the global dealmaking hub to the distinct identities of markets like California, Texas and Chicago, he explains why the US is far more complex and fragmented than many outside it assume.

The conversation explores the rise of firms like Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, and how they have reshaped the traditional hierarchy once dominated by Wall Street white shoe firms.

We also get into the economics of the top end of the market, including partner pay, the realities of the lateral market and what it takes to attract and retain elite rainmakers. Nicol explains why compensation structures, client demands and platform capabilities all play a role in driving partner moves.

Finally, the discussion looks ahead to what could shape the next phase of the US legal market, from the continued growth of private capital and restructuring work to the potential impact of AI on law firm economics and structure.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

02:40 Understanding the US legal market structure

04:39 Why New York still dominates global Big Law

07:07 California, Texas and the rise of regional powerhouses

12:30 Boston, Chicago and DC: key secondary markets

16:33 Magic Circle firms in the US: what’s working and what’s not

23:07 Partner pay and the $30M rainmaker reality

28:19 Lateral moves, Wachtell and shifting firm models

32:02 Kirkland, AI and what comes next for Big Law

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Isabel Parker, chief innovation officer at White & Case, joins the podcast to talk about what it takes to drive innovation inside a global law firm. A former Freshfields lawyer and Deloitte partner, she shares how her career evolved from practice into leading transformation at one of the world’s largest firms.

She explains why innovation isn’t just about technology, even in the age of AI. The real challenge, she says, is time and mindset - getting lawyers to see tools like AI as part of their core role, not something delivered by a separate team. Her goal is to shift ownership of innovation to lawyers themselves.

We also get into White & Case’s AI strategy, including the build of its in-house platform Atlas and its broader approach. Parker makes the case for developing internal capability alongside adopting best-in-class tools, particularly in such a fast-moving market.

Finally, she shares her views on what will actually differentiate firms going forward - not the tools themselves, but how quickly firms can upskill their people and make better use of their data. And for individual lawyers, the key skill is simple: disciplined curiosity.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

02:30 From Freshfields lawyer to innovation leader

04:37 Lessons from Deloitte and working closer to clients

06:39 What a Chief Innovation Officer actually does

08:59 Why time and mindset are the biggest barriers to innovation

11:56 Culture, experimentation and the lawyer mindset

14:59 White & Case’s AI strategy and building Atlas

17:56 Build vs buy vs partner: making the right AI bets

23:51 What will differentiate law firms in the AI era

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

John Hutchinson, managing partner of top 100 law firm Broadfield, joins the podcast to discuss the firm’s transformation from BDB Pitmans into a tech-enabled, internationally focused mid-market player.

He explains the thinking behind the rebrand and the partnership with SHP, a subsidiary of Alvarez & Marsal, designed to support investment in technology, talent and global expansion.

He outlines how that relationship works in practice, with Broadfield remaining independent but gaining access to infrastructure, strategic insight and tools like Harvey. The goal is to build a more integrated, end-to-end platform for delivering legal services, while improving efficiency and client value.

Hutchinson also shares his perspective on private equity in law, arguing it works for some firms but isn’t the only model. Broadfield is instead focused on long-term growth, international reach and more "sensible pricing", moving beyond simply increasing hourly rates.

Looking ahead, the firm is targeting expansion across Europe and the the Middle East, with a focus on private capital and cross-border work. Hutchinson says success in today’s market will come down to combining technology, talent and a clear value proposition for clients.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

02:40 From BDB Pitmans to Broadfield: the rebrand and strategy shift

06:18 The Alvarez & Marsal connection and tech-driven model

09:55 Private equity in law firms: opportunity and limits

14:12 Building an international platform: US, Hong Kong and beyond

17:43 The mid-market squeeze and rethinking pricing models

22:09 AI, Harvey and the impact on law firm economics

24:21 Leadership, culture and managing rapid change

27:25 Hiring strategy and attracting the next generation of partners

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Pierre Proner is the CEO and co-founder of Lawhive. He joins the podcast to explain how his company is combining AI with a regulated law firm model to rethink consumer legal services. He shares how Lawhive pivoted from initially offering software to law firms, driven by a mission to improve access to legal help and reduce the inefficiencies in how consumer law is delivered.

He discusses why selling software to traditional firms only went so far, with resistance tied to billable hours and legacy models. That led Lawhive to become a law firm itself, building an end-to-end AI operating system that supports everything from client intake to drafting and back-office work, with lawyers staying firmly “in the loop”.

The episode also breaks down how the model works across markets. In the UK, Lawhive uses a consultancy-style platform, while in the US it operates through an Arizona ABS and a co-counsel network. Proner says the tech can significantly increase lawyer productivity and earnings by reducing non-billable work.

Finally, he talks about growth. With over $100 million raised, Lawhive is now focused on scaling in the US through expansion and acquisitions, aiming to build a global consumer law firm powered by AI.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 From fintech to legal tech: the origin of Lawhive

03:41 Building an AI operating system for consumer law

06:19 Why selling software to law firms wasn’t enough

07:47 Becoming a regulated law firm and changing the model

10:03 Inside the Lawhive platform: AI across the full workflow

13:05 Productivity gains, margins and lawyer economics

17:05 UK vs US: consultancy model and co-counsel expansion

21:06 Funding, US growth and the ambition to build a global consumer law firm

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Ropes & Gray has been quietly rolling out one of the most ambitious European growth strategies among US firms in London. In this episode, London managing partner Rohan Massey and antitrust partner Ruchit Patel, who also sits on the firm’s governing policy committee, join the show to discuss how the firm has grown its London office from a two-partner launch in 2010 into a 250-person hub.

We talk about the firm’s push across Europe, including the recent launches in Paris and Milan, and why Ropes sees London as the centre of a broader European platform. Patel explains how the strategy is driven primarily by client demand - particularly from private capital clients - and why the firm has chosen to build a single integrated European platform rather than operate offices as separate profit centres.

The conversation also explores the competitive dynamics of the London market, where US firms have dramatically expanded over the past decade. Massey and Patel discuss how Ropes thinks about talent, lateral hiring and institutionalising client relationships, including why the firm emphasises collaboration across offices and practice groups.

Finally, we get into one of the firm’s more unusual strategic choices: sticking with a single-tier, all-equity partnership while much of the legal industry moves towards multi-tier structures.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable

Chapters

00:01 Introduction 01:44 The origins and growth of Ropes & Gray’s London office

04:31 The rise of US law firms in London

05:43 Ropes & Gray’s European private capital strategy

09:57 Paris and Milan: the firm’s newest growth engines

11:30 Why Ropes believes collaboration is its competitive edge

14:45 Talent, lateral hiring and building the partnership

17:47 Institutionalising client relationships across the firm

20:08 Why Ropes is sticking with a single-tier equity partnership

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Legal tech has gone from “let’s run a few pilots” to “we need to scale this across the whole firm” - and Peter Duffy says that shift is now well underway in the UK’s top law firms firms.

Peter is the founder of Titans, a boutique legal tech and AI consultancy advising large law firms, and he joins the podcast to take the temperature of the market and explain why things feel like they’ve accelerated so sharply in the past year.

We dig into how firms are buying right now: a strategic bet on a general-purpose legal AI platform - with Harvey and Legora emerging as the leading contenders at the top end - and then a layer of point solutions where the platform workflows still leave gaps. Peter also explains why many in-house tools made sense early on, but why firms are increasingly hitting a ceiling trying to compete with well-funded vendors shipping at startup speed.

Peter weighs in on the recent chaos around Anthropic’s legal tools and why he thinks the market reaction was knee-jerk. “If I was to run an RFP… that would absolutely not be in the top 10,” he says, arguing the product is still nowhere near what specialist vendors can do today - even if the direction of travel is obvious.

Finally, we talk moats and where legal tech competition is heading next: why Peter doesn’t think bespoke LLMs are the differentiator right now, why workflow-fit and enterprise readiness matter more than people think, and why the smartest move for law firm leaders is simple: make sure the whole workforce is AI fluent - while avoiding the temptation to burn money trying to outbuild the vendors.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:41 Taking the temperature of the legal AI market

04:02 From pilots to platforms: how firms are buying AI

06:32 What the leading legal AI platforms actually offer

09:56 How much law firms are investing in AI

10:53 Copilot, in-house tools and the limits of DIY AI

13:08 The platform power law: Harvey, Legora and the funding gap

25:10 Anthropic, incumbents and the battle for legal infrastructure

33:55 The smartest AI decision law firm leaders can make

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we sit down with DWF CEO Matt Doughty to discuss what comes next for the UK’s biggest private equity-owned law firm.

We discuss DWF’s positioning today: a 5,000-strong global business generating more than £500 million in revenue, split roughly 50-50 between insurance services and commercial legal work. Doughty explains why the firm is doubling down on five core market groups and why “discipline” and clarity about a firm’s “right to win” matter more than chasing the latest trend.

A major theme of the conversation is, understandably, capital. Doughty revisits DWF’s 2019 IPO - the largest law firm listing at the time - and what life was really like as a public company, from market disclosures to share price scrutiny.

He reflects on the challenges of telling a complex equity story to investors, the impact of macroeconomic headwinds, and what ultimately changed when private equity firm Inflexion took the business private in 2023.

Now operating under PE backing, Doughty outlines why he believes private equity isn’t right for every firm, and why he doesn’t expect a “tidal wave” of investment into Big Law.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 Taking over as CEO and following Nigel Knowles

02:45 Leadership style and protecting DWF’s culture

06:32 DWF today: insurance, commercial and global scale

09:34 The five market groups driving growth

13:12 Why DWF chose to IPO in 2019

15:46 Life as a listed law firm: governance and share price pressure

24:22 Going private: the Inflexion deal and PE backing

34:21 Why private equity isn’t right for every law firm

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Alex Kardos-Nyheim is the founder of SafeSign Technologies and now co-lead of AI research at Thomson Reuters. Alex built a legal-specific large language model while still a trainee at A&O Shearman, ultimately selling the company in 2024. He explains why Safe Sign focused on building the “engine” rather than the interface and how a legal LLM was able to outperform some of the biggest AI labs on legal tasks.

A central thread of the conversation is how the competitive landscape in legal AI has shifted. What began as a wave of “wrapper” products around foundation models is now evolving into a deeper contest over models, data and defensibility. Alex argues that the real moat lies not in user interface features, but in training models on high-quality legal data and building robust retrieval systems that reduce hallucinations and improve reasoning.

We also explore how Thomson Reuters is thinking about the full stack: combining proprietary legal data, live market intelligence and a legal-trained model into a cohesive platform. 

Finally, Alex shares what he’s seeing inside law firms. Smaller firms should be using AI as a force multiplier to “punch above their weight”, while larger firms face a strategic imperative to convert their institutional know-how into machine-readable data to power their AI tools. His advice to managing partners is direct: hire data engineers, structure your data and lean into expertise. 

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/ 

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 Building a legal LLM while at A&O

03:40 Engine vs wrapper: why Safe Sign focused on the model

04:41 Life after the Thomson Reuters acquisition

06:24 Inside Thomson Reuters’ “skunk works” AI team

08:42 From point solutions to platform wars in legal AI

11:49 The perfect stack: models, data and RAG

15:07 Why retrieval engines matter more than you think

18:33 Data as the moat

23:56 Can small data beat big data?

27:14 Making legal AI “market aware”

31:05 The evolution of Co-Counsel

33:57 What law firms are getting right and wrong about AI

36:50 “Hire 30 data engineers tomorrow”

38:22 Productising law firm know-how

43:10 Tips if you started a legal AI company today

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we speak with Simon Levine, former global co-CEO of DLA Piper and now an adviser to Shoosmiths, about leadership, strategy and where Big Law is heading.

Simon recounts the move that brought him to DLA Piper in 2005, when he led a 50-person team across to build a global IP, media and technology practice - at the time, one of the largest lateral hires in the UK market. He went on to join the firm’s executive team and was elected managing partner and global co-CEO in 2014.

A central theme of the conversation is what it takes to run a truly global law firm. Simon reflects on spending much of his time on the road, and why visibility and regular communication were essential in a partnership of that scale. He explains how town halls, open Q&As and firm-wide vlogs became core to his leadership approach.

Looking ahead, Simon shares his view on the current wave of transatlantic mergers, why Europe is being overlooked, and why he believes a gap is opening up in the mid-market - a perspective shaped in part by his current advisory work with Shoosmiths.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 Journey into Big Law

04:25 The move to DLA Piper and building a global practice

07:18 What it’s really like to run a global law firm

09:38 Why communication mattered more than spreadsheets

13:06 Defining DLA Piper’s strategy and market position

17:17 Why not every firm can chase top-tier private equity

19:06 What DLA Piper was really trying to be

21:49 Sector strategy, brand focus and resisting dilution

26:50 What’s driving the current merger wave

30:48 Why Europe is the missed opportunity for UK firms

38:19 M&A, lateral hires and the limits of external capital

42:07 How AI will change what law firms sell

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we’re joined by Robert Millard, founder of Cambridge Strategy Group and one of the leading thinkers on law firm strategy and mergers. Robert’s route into the legal industry is anything but conventional - from running a national park in Namibia, to advising law firms around the world, to spending time in-house as a business strategist at Linklaters - before completing a PhD on large law firm mergers over the past two decades.

A big focus of the conversation is what “strategy” actually means in a law firm context and why it’s so often misunderstood. Robert argues that strategy is about diagnosing and solving a real problem, not producing glossy five-year plans or chasing league table positions. They discuss why rigid strategy cycles struggle in a fast-changing world, how AI is reshaping client expectations, and why firms need to become much better at listening to clients and adapting in real time.

Robert then unpacks the findings from his doctoral research into 73 major law firm mergers. He explains how he built a data-driven framework to measure success, cutting through the cliché that “most mergers fail” and why roughly three-quarters of the mergers he studied actually delivered real growth. The discussion also covers what makes transatlantic combinations work, why New York still matters, and the risks of merging with firms in decline.

Finally, the episode looks ahead. Robert shares practical advice for firm leaders considering a merger, from spotting red flags in due diligence to avoiding nostalgia for a “golden age” of legal practice. The conversation closes with a clear message: the firms that succeed will be those that stay close to their clients, remain agile, and are willing to rethink how they operate as the market continues to change.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/ 

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 From conservation to legal strategy

03:09 Why Robert did a PhD on law firm mergers

04:00 What strategy really means in a law firm

06:10 Why traditional strategy cycles no longer work

07:47 Clients, AI and the need for constant adaptation

09:44 The problem with league tables and five-year plans

14:04 When firms are forced to rethink their strategy

19:15 How to measure whether law firm mergers succeed

25:15 What makes transatlantic mergers work and fail

40:22 What law firm leaders should stop doing now

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we sit down with Ria Karnik, who leads the associate recruitment team in London at Major, Lindsey & Africa, to unpack what’s really happening in the City talent market, and why the associate level has become the key battleground. Ria shares a recruiter’s-eye view of how US firms have reshaped hiring in London, where demand is strongest right now, and why mid-level lawyers are more sought after than ever.

We get into which practice areas are driving growth - from private equity, leveraged finance and private credit through to litigation, tax and competition - and how US firms are quietly building out fuller-service London offices. Ria also explains how partner moves are feeding through to associate hiring, and why firms with a clear strategy and specialism are winning the war for talent.

The conversation then turns to pay, progression and pressure points. Ria breaks down the reality behind NQ salary headlines, the growing issue of salary bunching at UK firms, and why transparency around pay, bonuses and career paths has become such a differentiator. She also explores how early US firms are now targeting trainees, and what that means for specialisation, training contracts and junior career decisions.

Finally, Ria shares practical advice for both lawyers and firms. For associates thinking about a move in 2026, she explains why understanding your motivations, and exploring a few well-chosen options, matters more than chasing a single name. For firms, she sets out what it really takes to attract and retain talent today, from culture and mentoring to clarity on progression and long-term vision.

The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 Ria’s legal recruitment experience

02:26 Major, Lindsey & Africa and its global reach

04:19 Where demand for associate talent is strongest

05:50 The practice areas driving hiring in London

09:00 Life beyond US firms – opportunities across the City

10:23 US firms targeting trainees earlier than ever

15:59 Salaries, bonuses and the reality behind the numbers

21:12 What associates really want from their careers

26:10 How law firms can attract and retain top talent

38:29 Ria’s advice for lawyers considering a move in 2026

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

James Hacking and Mike Estill from Kindleworth join the show to unpack one of the more salient shifts in Big Law right now: senior partners leaving large firms to launch specialist practices - and why the market is suddenly making that move feel much more doable.

They explain Kindleworth’s model: helping partners with client followings set up boutique or specialist firms “of their design”, then running the day-to-day operational backbone once the doors are open. The conversation digs into some of the best-known projects they’ve been involved in, including Pallas and the rapid Rosenblatt spin-out, and what those launches reveal about how quickly new firms can be stood up when the right pieces are in place.

A big theme is friction, and how to remove it. Hacking and Estill argue that better access to capital, dramatically improved tech, and a growing pool of partners who don’t fit neatly inside the strategic priorities of ever-bigger global firms. They talk about conflicts in the broad sense - not just classic conflicts of interest, but conflicts of strategy, pricing and business model - and why that opens space for focused firms built around a portable book of business and a clear vision.

The episode also looks ahead: why Burford Capital invested in Kindleworth, what a US expansion could look like, and how technology and outside capital could enable a new breed of “scale specialist” firms. The practical takeaway is simple: if you’ve got the itch to go it alone, don’t be scared of exploring it - because the fastest way to get clarity is to start having the right conversations.

To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:20 Kindleworth Origins & Founder Backgrounds

02:20 What Kindleworth Does & Who It’s For

03:56 High-Profile Launches & the Rosenblatt Rescue

05:17 Burford Capital & Funding Law Firm Spin-Outs

08:08 Why Kindleworth Is Taking the Model to the US

12:11 Why Starting Fresh Beats Fixing Big Law

14:13 Which Practice Areas Are Ripe for Breakaways

18:18 Advice for Partners Thinking of Leaving

26:03 Pricing Pressure, AI & New Firm Economics

38:53 The Upside: Freedom, Ownership & Building Legacy

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

John Quinn is one of the most influential figures in modern Big Law. In this episode, he reflects on how Quinn Emanuel grew from a four-lawyer spin-out in Los Angeles into the world’s leading litigation-only firm - which is constantly rated as the the “most feared” firm.

Quinn explains that the disputes-only model wasn’t fully formed on day one, but became a powerful differentiator once the firm realised that “we do one thing and we think we’re the best at that,” rather than trying to be everything to everybody.

A central theme of the conversation is why specialisation - particularly being willing to act against the world’s largest commercial banks - created an “unmet need in the marketplace” that full-service firms couldn’t fill because of conflicts. Quinn also discusses how that focus helped build internal cohesion: “we’re all litigators,” he says, which avoids the fragmentation he sees inside large full-service partnerships.

Quinn offers a candid comparison between litigation in the US and the UK, from the power of depositions and jury trials to the cost structures and role of regulators like the DOJ. He also shares his perspective on the evolution of Big Law, including rising concentration at the top end, the erosion of lockstep, the growth of non-equity partnerships, and why he thinks the business of law itself “hasn’t changed much,” despite constant talk of transformation.

The episode closes with Quinn’s views on AI, private equity investment in law firms, and what actually makes a great lawyer.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:55 On launching Law Disrupted and staying busy

03:38 Founding Quinn Emanuel and the early years

05:02 Why Quinn Emanuel became a litigation only firm

08:14 Suing the banks and finding an unmet market niche

09:40 Opening London before the financial crisis

10:07 Building the world’s largest patent litigation practice

11:51 US vs UK litigation and the power of depositions

16:04 Costs, risk and why US litigation works differently

20:52 How Big Law has changed and why the strongest firms win

22:23 Why law is a “stupid business” structurally

24:26 Lockstep, partner pay and the rise of superstar compensation

33:14 Private equity, external capital and law firm ownership

35:11 Why AI won’t replace litigators anytime soon

40:26 What makes a great lawyer and why judgment matters most

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Pierson Ferdinand launched in January 2024 in what it says was the largest law firm debut in US history - starting with around 130 partners and growing to more than 270 in under two years. In this episode, co-founders Michael Pierson and Joel Ferdinand explain the model behind what they call an “AI-native,” fully distributed, partner-only law firm.

They break down how the structure works: no physical offices, every lawyer signs a partnership agreement, and compensation is decided by a formula-based algorithm that updates in real time. Partners keep a far greater share of their billings than in Big Law, with Michael noting that most lawyers who join “earn 2 to 3x what they were earning” at traditional firms. Pay is completely transparent: every partner can see every other partner’s earnings inside the firm’s internal app.

A big part of the model is technology. The firm mandates firm-wide licences for Harvey AI and uses additional tools across the business to automate both back-office processes and junior-level work - something they say they’ve “replaced almost all of” already. AI is now part of standard workflows: summarising due diligence, producing first drafts, organising deal terms and creating client-ready matrices and charts.

Michael and Joel also discuss their London expansion - already more than 20 fee-earners and growing - and their recruitment pitch: a chance to escape the traditional hierarchy, avoid massive infrastructure costs, and build a practice with more autonomy and more upside. “Happy lawyers make better lawyers,” Joel says. “We’ve been purpose-built for people who want something different.”

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:00 Introducing Pierson Ferdinand & the Founders

02:20 How the Firm Launched as the Largest Debut in US History

03:37 Inside the Distributed, Partner-Only Model

04:29 How Partnership, Compensation & the “Pro Algorithm” Work

06:48 Why Remote-First Makes the Economics Work

07:22 Firm vs Partner Clients & How Work Is Shared

08:40 How Matters Are Staffed Without Associates

10:11 Horizontal Integration & Internal Work-Sharing

11:16 The Pitch to Clients: Big-Law Quality at One-Third Less

13:01 The Firm’s AI Strategy - Harvey & Beyond

15:58 Could This Model Work Without AI?

17:13 What Lawyers Want: Frustrations With Traditional Big Law

18:23 London Launch: Practice Areas & Early Momentum

21:14 Competing in London’s Hyper-Competitive Market

22:19 The Pitch to London Laterals

24:17 Can Partners Earn as Much as at Kirkland or Paul Weiss?

27:02 Radical Transparency: Everyone Sees Everyone’s Pay

28:02 The Big Catch - Why This Model Isn’t for Everyone

30:08 Growth Plans for the Next Five Years

31:43 Culture, Community & Why “Happy Lawyers Make Better Lawyers”

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we speak with Simon Leaf - a former Mishcon de Reya partner who has launched Three Points Law, a tech-enabled boutique focused on technology, sport and commercial/IP work alongside fellow former Mishcon lawyer Tom Murray.

After 15 years in Big Law, Simon left to build a firm that uses AI from day one and is structured for the kind of fast, high-volume commercial work he handles.

Simon explains why the traditional model no longer fits. As his hourly rate rose and teams grew around him, he felt further from clients and constrained by incentives tied to billable hours. At Three Points, he’s leaning into value-driven pricing and using AI to cut out most junior-level work so he and co-founder Tom can stay close to clients and move faster.

He shares how the firm is using Legora and other AI tools across the workflow - from business development and fee proposals to standardised contract review processes. The tech isn’t perfect, he says, but in the hands of experienced lawyers it’s powerful enough that he’s “100%” confident it replaces the need for junior hires. The early traction has been strong enough that they’re already recruiting senior lawyers instead.

Simon also breaks down the mechanics of starting a modern boutique: partnering with Excello for back-office and regulatory support, avoiding external capital to stay client-focused, and building a culture where he can do high-quality work without the pressures of Big Law. His advice to others thinking of making the leap? If you have the relationships and the appetite to do things differently, “go for it.”

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:00 Simon’s Background

01:56 Why Three Points Law?

03:09 Life at Mishcon & Leading the Sports Group

03:46 Inside Premier League Player Contracts

06:23 Why Big Law No Longer Fit

09:10 The Billable Hour Problem

10:58 Going All-In on AI from Day One

13:23 How AI Replaces Junior Work

16:23 Moving Away from the Billable Hour

19:12 Why Human Lawyers Still Matter

20:18 Will More Boutiques Break Away?

21:58 Three Points’ Vision and Culture

23:18 How They Set Up the Firm

27:41 Advice for Aspiring Boutique Founders

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Alongside Harvey, Legora has quickly become a frontrunner in the legal AI platform race, offering lawyers a suite of productivity tools for contract review, drafting, legal research and large-scale document analysis. Its rise has been startlingly fast.

Founded just two years ago, Legora hit a $1.8 billion valuation in its October funding round and has signed a wave of major UK firms this year alone.

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Alex Fortescue-Webb, Legora’s head of UK and Ireland and head of legal engineering. Alex began his career as an M&A lawyer at CMS before moving into legal operations and managed services roles at BCG, Axiom, Thomson Reuters and EY.

Alex breaks down what Legora actually does: reviewing and comparing documents in seconds, handling heavy diligence exercises, and assisting with drafting directly inside Word. He also talks through the current limits of legal AI - especially the challenge of missing context - and why complex tasks still need to be broken down into smaller steps.

The conversation also covers Legora’s new Portal product, which lets firms expose richer, AI-powered work product to clients and offer controlled self-serve tools built on their own IP.

Alex argues this shift will make knowledge management even more critical as delivery becomes more productised. Finally, Alex discusses Legora’s rapid momentum with leading firms, the company’s US push and recent funding round, and how he views the competitive landscape. His focus: not beating rivals, but driving real adoption so AI becomes embedded in how lawyers actually work.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:00 Welcome and Alex’s Role at Legora

01:13 Inside Legal Engineering: Ex-Lawyers as the Bridge to AI

03:20 What Legora Actually Does for Lawyers

05:41 SPA vs Term Sheet: A Practical Legora Use Case

07:48 Who’s Using Legora Most (And How Usage Varies)

09:10 Where Firms See the Biggest Time Savings

11:12 The Limits of Legal AI Today: Context and Zero Data Retention

13:13 Solving the Context Problem and Future Integrations

14:25 Portal: Rethinking Law Firm-Client Collaboration

19:01 Productising Know-How and the Future of Knowledge Management

22:20 Legora’s Growth Story and Adoption Playbook

25:45 Funding, US Expansion, Harvey - And the Legal AI Platform Race

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we sit down with Camilla Wallace, senior partner of Wedlake Bell. A private client specialist who has spent 18 years at the firm, Camilla talks through Wedlake Bell’s evolution from a sub-20 partner outfit to a headcount of more than 350, why it has stayed a single-office City firm, and how it balances its 245-year heritage with a “1780 but contemporary” mindset.

Camilla explains how she defines the senior partner role today - part chair, part ambassador, part counsellor - and why that structure works alongside managing partner Martin Arnold. She also discusses the firm’s measured stance on international expansion and external capital, and how culture underpins many of those decisions.

A major theme of the conversation is mental health in the legal industry. Camilla shares the data she’s seeing through her work with LawCare, the pressures on junior lawyers, and the initiatives Wedlake Bell has launched, including anonymous learning reviews aimed at building psychological safety across teams.

Finally, Camilla turns to the ‘millionaire exodus’ and what’s driving high-net-worth clients out of the UK. She outlines the broader economic impact, her concerns about policy uncertainty, and her own surprisingly simple idea for tax reform.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:10 Camilla’s Background

01:46 WedLake Bell's Growth and Market Position

04:41 Balancing Heritage and Innovation in Law

08:06 The Role of Technology and AI in Law

10:58 Growth Plans and Market Positioning

12:55 The Senior Partner Role in Modern Law Firms

15:46 Challenges in Leading a Modern Law Firm

19:29 Mental Health in the Legal Industry

24:27 The Changing Expectations of Junior Lawyers

27:28 The Impact of Wealth Migration from the UK

32:15 Taxation and Its Effects on the Legal Sector

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Private equity is closing in on the legal industry, and few people have a better vantage point than David Morley, former managing and senior partner at Allen & Overy.

After steering A&O through the 2008 financial crisis, Morley moved into the investment world, chairing a private equity firm and heading up Europe for one of the world’s biggest pension funds.

Earlier this year, he teamed up with fellow A&O alum Wim Dejonghe to launch a consultancy advising law firms and investors on the surge of capital eyeing the profession.

In this episode, David explains why investor sentiment toward law firms has flipped “gradually, then suddenly.” He says private equity’s move into legal mirrors what happened in accountancy a decade ago - starting small before rapidly scaling once investors see proven success. “There’s a level of investor interest we’ve never seen before in the legal sector,” he says.

We talk about what this means for firms of all sizes - from smaller players under pressure to consolidate, to elite firms exploring capital as a growth tool. Morley breaks down how deals are structured, where money would actually go, and why capital brings more than funding.

He also reflects on the limits of the partnership model in funding innovation - and why looming tax and structural changes could accelerate a shift towards more corporate-style models. His message for firm leaders: whether or not you plan to take investment, you need to understand the forces driving it.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Introduction to David

03:06 Navigating the Financial Crisis

07:14 Lessons from Crisis Management

10:07 The Rise of External Investment in Legal

12:50 Changing Perceptions of Legal Investments

17:00 Market Dynamics and Future Trends in Legal Investments

23:23 The Competitive Landscape of Law Firms

24:19 Investment Opportunities in Legal Sector

25:25 The Role of Private Equity in Law Firms

29:43 Innovative Business Models in Legal Services

33:54 Understanding Private Equity Investments

37:34 Strategic Use of Capital in Law Firms

39:44 Private Equity vs. Traditional Financing

42:35 Future Trends in Legal

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, Siobhán Lewington, partner at leading legal headhunter Macrae, joins us to unpack what’s driving the lateral partner market in London.

A former Allen & Overy and Arthur Cox lawyer, Siobhán has more than two decades advising firms on partner hires and team moves giving her a unique view into how City law has changed.

She explains how the market has evolved from the “gentlemen’s agreement” era - when Magic Circle firms avoided poaching from one another - to today’s fiercely competitive landscape dominated by US players. We explore why private capital remains the engine of London’s growth, and what makes a truly competitive platform: from tax and competition support to leverage finance and associate bench strength.

Siobhán also breaks down the New York-London axis, the growing wave of transatlantic mergers, and how firms are positioning themselves in the race to join the global elite. She shares why money alone doesn’t move partners, the real purpose behind multi-year guarantees, and how firms can better integrate lateral hires for long-term success.

Finally, Siobhán offers advice for partners weighing a move - from identifying push and pull factors to finding a genuine sponsor at any prospective firm. Packed with insight on talent strategy and firm identity, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the current state of the London market.

Find out more about Macrae at their website: https://www.macrae.com/

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:00 Introduction to Siobhan and Macrae

02:05 Transition from Law to Recruitment

03:23 Evolution of the London Recruitment Market

07:03 Current State of the London Private Equity Market

11:00 Concentration Risks in Private Equity

13:52 The Changing Landscape of Law Firms

16:26 Growth Areas Beyond Private Capital

19:48 Litigation Market Dynamics

21:53 The New York-London Axis

22:15 Mergers and the New York-London Axis

28:34 The Mechanics of Partner Moves

40:09 Advice for Partners Considering a Move

43:28 Strategies for Firms to Attract Talent

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Harvey has become the poster child of the legal AI boom - used by over half of the top 100 US law firms and backed by more than $700 million in funding. But what does the startup actually do for lawyers day to day, and how is it turning hype into genuine impact inside Big Law firms?

In this episode, John Haddock, Harvey’s chief business officer and a former Stripe exec, takes us inside the company’s rapid scale-up. He explains how a 50-person team of ex-Big Law lawyers works directly with firms to embed AI into real workflows, turning the platform into what he calls “a port of first call” for legal teams.

Haddock also lifts the lid on Harvey’s Advanced Legal Researchers - a team of former Big Law lawyers who benchmark and fine-tune every new model release through what the company calls its Big Law Bench. He shares why data, not hype, is the biggest constraint in AI performance, and how Harvey’s partnership with LexisNexis is helping to close that gap.

We also talk about Harvey’s recent investment from European private equity firm EQT, what the company’s expansion into Europe means for the legal market, and why Haddock saw a viral Reddit thread questioning Harvey’s adoption as a positive sign. “It’s proof we’ve crossed into the mainstream,” he says.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:00 Background on John

03:30 Understanding Harvey's Product and Customer Engagement

06:12 The Role of Chief Business Officer at Harvey

09:02 How Harvey Empowers Lawyers

12:11 Partnership with LexisNexis

17:54 Fine-Tuning AI Models for Legal

21:38 The Buy vs. Build Debate in Legal Tech

24:20 EQT Investment and European Market Expansion

26:37 Competition in the Legal AI Landscape

28:28 Scaling Operations and Talent Acquisition

31:39 Onboarding and Change Management in Legal AI

32:41 Contextualising Legal AI for Enhanced Productivity

36:12 The Future of Integrated Legal Workspaces

38:36 The Reddit Thread and Building Trust in AI

42:24 Challenges of Scaling and Hiring in a Growing Company

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Few people have had a closer view of the modern City law market than Charlie Geffen. As former senior partner at Ashurst, he helped build one of London’s top private equity practices before moving to Gibson Dunn in 2014, where he became global co-chair of private equity.

Today, he splits his time between chairing the taskforce getting the UK ready for T+1 settlement of financial trades, a senior position at the University of Surrey and occasionally weighing in on the big debates shaping the profession - earlier this year, he sparked discussion with a letter to the Financial Times, defending the decision by some firms to strike deals with the Trump administration.

In this conversation, Charlie looks back at four decades of transformation in Big Law - from globalisation and specialisation to the rise of US firms that now dominate the global elite. He explains why American firms’ structure, scale and domestic market have given them a lasting advantage, and why, in his words, “the global Magic Circle is entirely American.”

We also discuss the major transatlantic mergers reshaping the landscape, including A&O Shearman and Herbert Smith Freehills-Kramer Levin, and what the likes of Ashurst can realistically do to compete. Charlie reflects on his own experience leading Ashurst through its growth years, its failed US merger talks, and how the firm ultimately found its footing through reinvention.

Finally, he shares his take on the next phase of disruption: how AI and private equity could drive a wave of consolidation, why law firms will need far fewer people in future, and why, despite it all, he still sees enduring value in the partnership model - and in knowing exactly what your firm is, and what it isn’t trying to be.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Evolution of the Legal Market

06:45 Comparative Analysis of US and UK Law Firms

09:44 The Rise of US Firms

12:27 Current Landscape of UK Law Firms

17:26 Strategic Insights for UK Firms

19:45 The Rise of Private Equity

22:03 Strategic Decisions in Law Firms

27:23 Transatlantic Mergers and Their Implications

29:45 Big Law Firms Response To Trump Executive Orders

37:51 The Future of the Legal Market: AI and Consolidation

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Hogan Lovells might not be the first name that comes up in conversations about legal AI, but maybe it should. The firm quietly spun up ELTEMATE, a 100-person legal tech subsidiary, to build tools for clients that go beyond hype and deliver real efficiency gains. At the helm is Sebastian Lach, a Hogan Lovells partner who also leads ELTEMATE.

In this episode, Sebastian talks about how ELTEMATE started with just three people around a table in 2019 and has since scaled into a global team creating client-facing technology. Funded entirely in-house, it now builds everything from AI-driven investigation tools to domain-specific tools tailored to compliance and litigation.

We also dig into Sebastian’s views on legal AI more broadly. He’s sceptical about so-called “Swiss Army knife” platforms and argues that the real value lies in specialist, vertical tools trained on the right data and guided by lawyers who know what good looks like. “Lawyers don’t want 60% answers”, he argues. “They want a tool that gives them the right result at the push of a button.”

It’s a conversation about what happens when a Big Law firm takes tech seriously - balancing risk and innovation - and what clients are really asking for when they demand AI.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:50 Sebastian’s Background

02:07 Transitioning from Law to Legal Tech

04:00 Exploring White Collar Crime Law

07:25 The Birth of ELTEMATE

10:34 Funding and Business Model of ELTEMATE

11:39 ELTEMATE's Growth and Structure

13:12 ELTEMATE's Product Suite and Strategy

18:23 The Importance of Domain-Specific Solutions

20:48 Data as a Core Differentiator

24:28 The Future of Legal Tech and Client Needs

28:30 The Vision for ELTEMATE

31:16 Lessons Learned in Legal Tech Innovation

34:48 Concerns About AI in Legal Practice

35:51 Skills for the Future Lawyer

38:02 The Future of the Billable Hour

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

McDermott has just completed one of the biggest Big Law mergers in recent years, tying up with New York’s Schulte Roth & Zabel to create a $2.8 billion powerhouse sitting just outside the top 10 US firms by revenue. The deal was wrapped up in just three months - record speed by law firm standards - and is already producing results.

In this episode, we sit down with Aymen Mahmoud, McDermott’s London managing partner, to get the inside view on how the merger came together, why culture was as important as strategy, and what the combined platform means for clients on both sides of the Atlantic.

He explains why he calls it a “marriage of conviction” and why the firm is betting big on private capital as the driver of its next phase of growth.

We also dig into the London story: how Schulte’s top-tier funds practice changes McDermott’s position in the market, the firm’s plans for a new Mayfair office in 2028, and the ambition to be on every top client’s speed dial for private capital work.

Along the way, Aymen shares candid insights on talent, pay, and how McDermott is trying to do things differently - from matching New York comp in London to giving billable credit for mindfulness.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:15 The McDermott-Schulte Merger

07:07 Cultural Integration and Success Metrics

12:45 Strategic Growth in London

18:42 Talent Acquisition and Retention

24:40 Leadership and Personal Growth

30:43 Future Vision for McDermott

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Hill Dickinson made headlines earlier this year with one of the boldest law firm marketing moves in recent memory: a multi-million pound deal to put its name on Everton’s new stadium in Liverpool.

In this episode, Peter Jackson - the firm’s long-time managing partner and CEO - takes us inside the decision, what it means for brand recognition, and why giving back to the city was part of the rationale.

Over nearly two decades leading Hill Dickinson, Jackson steered the firm through both rapid growth and tough choices. He recalls the pivotal moment in 2016 when the insurance practice, once a cornerstone of the business, became a drag on profits - and how the bold decision to sell it to Keoghs reshaped the firm’s future. His mantra: be brave, and get your partners onside.

We also explore how Jackson approached culture and values, from rejecting lucrative lateral hires that didn’t fit, to hands-on leadership built around trust and constant communication. For him, sustainable growth always came back to three basics: people, clients and cash.

Finally, Jackson shares his take on the wider market: the rise of external capital in law, the challenges and opportunities it brings, and what he thinks firms often get wrong about private equity investment.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Peter’s Background and Shipping Law

04:13 The World of Superyachts and Monaco Expansion

06:16 Hill Dickinson in the 1980s: From Liverpool Roots to London Growth

09:03 Leadership Challenges and the Keoghs Transaction

12:08 Strategy, Profitability and the Post-2016 Pivot

14:32 Culture and Values: Building a Cohesive Firm

16:09 The Changing Role of Managing Partner

19:06 Hands-On Leadership and Partner Communication

21:18 Talent, Lateral Hires and Protecting Culture

23:18 Defining Star Partners and Building Teams

25:28 The Everton Stadium Deal: Bold Marketing in Law

30:23 Brand Recognition, Recruitment and Giving Back to Liverpool

35:05 External Capital in Law: Opportunities and Risks

43:12 Leadership Lessons: People, Clients, Cash

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

What role do the Big Four really play in the legal market, and how different are they from traditional firms? In this episode, we sit down with Stuart Bedford, global head of legal at KPMG, to get a first-hand view of how one of the world’s largest professional services organisations is approaching the delivery of legal services.

Stuart reflects on his own career journey, qualifying at Linklaters, building one of the City’s leading corporate practices, and eventually stepping into leadership at KPMG. He explains how his experience across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions shaped his perspective on what clients truly need from their lawyers.

We dig into what sets KPMG Law apart - why they’re not chasing the mega M&A deals that grab headlines, but instead focusing on areas where law, technology, and multidisciplinary teams intersect. From entity management and post-merger integration, to regulatory compliance and legal managed services at scale, Stuart outlines a model that looks very different to Big Law.

Finally, Stuart discusses KPMG’s expansion into the US via an Arizona ABS licence, the firm’s Legal Reimagined programme, and the opportunities created by technology, data and global delivery. If you’ve ever wondered how a Big Four legal arm competes without playing the traditional law firm game, this conversation offers a look inside.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:15 Introduction & Stuart’s Early Career Path

03:18 Changing Specialisation in Law Firms

05:35 Why Stuart Moved to KPMG

08:32 Rethinking the Big Four’s Legal Offering

13:14 Post-Merger Integration & Entity Management

16:38 Technology, Data & Legal Reimagined

21:17 Delivering Managed Legal Services at Scale

25:39 Talent, Culture & Multidisciplinary Teams

29:18 Embedding Legal Within the Wider KPMG Business

31:40 Have the Big Four’s Legal Dreams Materialised?

33:31 US Expansion & the Arizona ABS Licence

38:02 Looking Ahead: The Future of KPMG Law

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Julian Taylor is senior partner at Simmons & Simmons and one of the City’s most highly regarded employment lawyers. He’s spent over 25 years at the firm and has had a front-row seat to the transformation of the legal profession. In this episode, he shares candid views on the forces reshaping the industry, from the rise of AI to the battle for the best talent.

Julian explains how Simmons is embedding AI into its work - from in-house tools like “Percy” to partnerships with legal tech providers - and why firms that fail to adapt could struggle to survive. He also talks about how AI is changing pricing models, client expectations, and the types of work law firms can take on.

Julian calls newly qualified lawyer pay in some parts of the market “crazy”, warns about the talent market distortions it creates, and explains why Simmons takes a different approach to competing for junior lawyers. He also reflects on the impact of US firms in London and how their intense profitability targets are reshaping the market.

We finish with a discussion on culture and flexibility - including the unique part-time arrangement Julian has maintained for nearly two decades - and why he believes adaptability and openness to change are now non-negotiable for any lawyer building a long-term career.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:15 Julian’s Background and Career

03:21 Simmons' Financial Performance and Sector Focus

06:33 The Role of AI in Law

11:15 Pricing and Client Expectations in the Age of AI

15:10 Building vs. Buying Legal Tech Solutions

19:13 The Future of AI in the Legal Profession

24:58 Training the Next Generation of Lawyers

28:37 Attracting and Retaining Talent in a Changing Landscape

32:39 Flexible Work Arrangements and Work-Life Balance

37:45 ‘Crazy’ NQ Pay And The Impact of US Firms on the Legal Market

43:05 Looking Ahead: Goals for the Future

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Private equity and other forms of external capital are moving into the legal sector - a shift that is very likely to reshape law firm strategy. In this episode, we speak with Travis Lenkner, chief development officer at Burford Capital, the world’s largest provider of legal finance, about why investors are increasingly eyeing law firms and what that means for the market.

Travis shares his unique perspective, having worked as a litigator at Gibson Dunn, served as senior counsel at Boeing, co-founded litigation funder Gerchen Keller Capital (later acquired by Burford), and launched his own law firm before rejoining Burford in 2024.

Now focused on exploring potential equity investments in law firms, Travis explains the forces driving investor interest - from the UK’s long-standing ABS regime to growing recognition of law as a professional services market ripe for consolidation and technology-led transformation.

We discuss the different ends of the market attracting attention, from private equity-backed regional roll-ups to strategic growth capital for top-tier global firms. Travis explains why Burford prefers minority stakes, the kinds of structures that make sense for law firms wary of losing control, and how outside capital can fund strategic hires, technology investment and geographic expansion. He also tackles the challenges of the traditional partnership model and the cultural shifts required to align incentives with long-term growth.

Finally, Travis offers insights on the evolving US market - where regulatory constraints mean law firm investment often looks different - and why he expects both markets to develop rapidly in the next five years.

Chapters

00:45 Introduction to Travis And Career Journey

02:31 Understanding Burford Capital's Role in Legal Finance

04:50 The Financial Model Behind Litigation Funding

05:46 The Rise of External Capital in Law Firms

06:12 Investment Strategies for Law Firms

09:13 The Future of Law Firms in a Competitive Market

13:46 The Evolving Landscape of Law Firm Investments

17:28 Navigating Risks in Law Firm Dynamics

19:20 Understanding Investor Exit Strategies

24:14 Burford's Unique Position in Legal Investments

25:26 Targeting Growth in Boutique Law Firms

29:35 The Future of the US Legal Market

34:24 Burford's Portfolio in Five Years

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Ross McNairn is the founder and CEO of Wordsmith, one of the fastest-growing legal AI startups in Europe. In this episode, Ross shares how Wordsmith is rethinking the in-house legal function - not just with automation, but with a new model for how legal teams can triage and respond to the rest of the business using AI agents.

We talk through the challenges of in-house legal teams, why Wordsmith is laser-focused on corporate legal rather than law firms, and how AI assistants are shifting legal from being perceived as a blocker to a true business enabler. Ross also explains how their customers - including companies like Trustpilot - are using the platform to improve responsiveness and efficiency across functions.

Ross opens up about raising $25 million from Index Ventures, how Wordsmith became the fastest Scottish company to hit a $100 million valuation, and why they’ve been disciplined about staying lean, product-led, and focused on usage over hype. He also shares his thoughts on legal AI funding trends, the law firm vs in-house tech split, and the future of generalist vs vertical solutions in the space.

Whether you’re a GC thinking about legal AI adoption, a lawyer eyeing a career move into tech, or just curious about how legal is changing from the inside, this is a conversation with a founder building at the forefront of the industry.

Chapters

00:45 From Law to Software

00:53 The Role of AI in Legal Workflows

02:11 Introducing Wordsmith

05:08 AI Agents: Enhancing Legal Productivity

08:08 Customer Success Stories: Real-World Impact of Wordsmith

10:57 Sales Strategy: Building Trust in Legal Tech

13:55 Funding and Future Plans: Scaling Wordsmith

16:30 Building a Lean Company

17:27 Hiring for Legal Intelligence

19:06 Motivations For People Joining Wordsmith

20:50 Competitors in the Legal Tech Space

21:17 Wordsmith's Suite of Tools

22:16 Future of Legal Tech Solutions

23:38 Impact of Recent Partnerships in Legal Tech

26:02 Data Needs for In-House Legal Teams

28:00 Investment Boom in Legal Tech

29:27 Wordsmith's Strategy for Success

32:31 Trends in Legal Tech

33:25 Hiring Challenges at Wordsmith

34:01 Vision for Wordsmith in 2030

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we’re joined by Adil Taha, a former investment banker, private equity executive and one of the most experienced PE figures operating in the UK legal sector today.

Adil has led or been involved in multiple private equity transactions across professional services, including the turnaround of several law firms and the recent high-profile rescue of Rosenblatt out of failing listed group RBG Holdings.

We dive into the mechanics of private equity in law - how deals are structured, what PE firms are really looking for, and why so many are focused on buy-and-build strategies in the regional market. Adil gives a candid assessment of what’s working, what isn’t, and why we’ve yet to see a successful PE exit in UK legal.

He also unpacks the challenges of law firm listings, the hidden risks of the full-service model, and why relationship-driven businesses don’t always fit neatly into financial engineering. Finally, we talk about the opportunity Adil sees at the top end of the market: building a lean, high-performance boutique from scratch. For investors, firm leaders, and ambitious lawyers alike, this is an inside look at how private capital is reshaping the business of law.

Chapters

00:45 Adil’s Background and First Law Firm Rescue

02:15 The Rosenblatt Rescue

03:51 The Rise of PE in Legal Post-COVID

06:27 Where PE is Investing Today

09:09 Exit Challenges and Lack of Trade Sales

11:45 Why Law Firm IPOs Don’t Work

14:39 The Culture Clash Between Law and Public Markets

16:08 Trade Sales vs PE: Who’s Buying?

19:03 Why MBOs May Be the Only Exit Path

21:21 Could PE Ever Buy a Top 30 Firm?

23:09 Lessons from DWF and Who’s Vulnerable

25:39 Exit Options for Larger Firms

27:39 How PE Transactions Work in Practice

30:39 How Deals Are Structured: Day One, Rollovers, Earn-Outs

34:45 The Case for Building a Super Boutique from Scratch

37:57 The Super Boutique Vision and Timing

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we’re joined by Ed Parker, managing director at Fides Search and one of the most trusted headhunters in the City legal market.

With nearly two decades of experience advising on partner and team moves, Ed brings a nuanced, data-driven perspective on how top firms are growing, and what that means for lawyers navigating their careers.

We explore the structural shifts happening across the partner talent market, from the aggressive expansion of US firms in London to the growing importance of team moves and due diligence in lateral hiring. Ed explains why some firms are placing massive bets on high-performing partners, how they price those hires, and what really determines whether a client book will travel.

For ambitious associates, this episode is packed with insight. Ed shares honest advice on timing your move, the risks of chasing quick promotions, and how to position yourself for long-term success - whether that’s through internal promotion or switching platforms. He also unpacks the rise of non-equity partnerships and what clients really care about when it comes to partner titles.

Finally, we touch on where the market is headed in the second half the year, from fast-moving jurisdictions like Saudi and Luxembourg to the enduring pull of London as a legal hub. If you're interested in the economics, strategy, and personal dynamics behind law firm hiring, this is one not to miss.

Chapters

00:45 Introduction & About Fides Search

03:45 What Headhunting Actually Involves

07:15 Building a Practice from Scratch

10:15 The State of the Partner Market in 2025

14:15 UK Firms: Adapting or Falling Behind?

17:30 Team Moves vs. Individual Lateral Hires

21:15 The Economics of Big Hires

25:45 Is This an Existential Threat to UK Firms?

30:15 The Rise of Non-Equity Partners

35:15 Advice for Ambitious Associates

43:45 Market Outlook for H2 2025

47:45 Connect with Ed & Fides Search

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we sit down with Richard East, the founding partner of Quinn Emanuel’s London office - the litigation powerhouse that has gone from a 2008 startup to one of the UK’s most profitable disputes firms, with revenues topping £220 million last year. Richard shares how he built the practice from scratch during the height of the financial crisis.

We discuss Quinn Emanuel’s distinctive model: no corporate teams, no panels, no conflicts - and no apologies about taking on the banks. Richard explains why that singular focus has been so powerful, and how the firm’s “door-to-door” approach to marketing - cold-calling and in-person meetings - helped them land early clients that fuelled their growth.

Richard also opens up about recruiting and compensation, including why Quinn refuses to follow the Cravath scale, why they pay comfortably above Magic Circle firms, and why entrepreneurial mindset is non-negotiable for new partners. He describes a culture that rewards independence and drive - and expects associates to own cases, not just take instructions.

We wrap up with Richard’s thoughts on competition, the evolution of the Magic Circle, and what comes next. He shares why he sees massive potential in using AI to stay ahead, why he isn’t afraid of giant mergers, and why after 17 years he still feels like there’s much more to build.

Chapters

00:40 Launching Quinn Emanuel London in 2008

04:00 Building a Litigation-Only Practice from Scratch

07:20 Marketing that Actually Works: Cold-Calling and Door-to-Door Meetings

11:00 Winning Early Clients During the Financial Crisis

14:40 How the Firm Thinks About Talent and Compensation

20:00 Culture, Independence, and Entrepreneurial DNA

24:30 Perspectives on the Magic Circle and Big Law Competitors

29:30 The Role of AI and the Future of Litigation

33:40 Leadership Lessons from 17 Years at the Helm

36:30 Ambition for the Next Chapter

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Keen, head of international legal at Figma - one of the fastest-growing SaaS companies in the world. Jonny leads legal across EMEA, APAC, and Japan, supporting the business through constant product innovation, geographic expansion and a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

He shares what it’s really like to be the legal lead at a hypergrowth company, from negotiating major enterprise SaaS deals to navigating complex EU tech regulation. Jonny gives a behind-the-scenes view of how his team supports global scale, and what he looks for in the external law firms Figma relies on.

We also dive into legal tech and AI, and why Jonny cares more about lawyers who understand tech than what tools they use. He shares his view on how AI is impacting in-house teams, and what traits set great in-house lawyers apart.

Chapters

00:40 Jonny’s role at Figma

02:00 What legal looks like inside a rocketship

04:00 A typical day (if one exists)

06:30 Enterprise SaaS negotiations: fast and slow lanes

08:40 How legal supports the business without breaking it

10:00 Working with law firms: what matters

12:30 AI and legal tech at Figma

15:00 The EU regulatory wave

18:00 The compliance burden for mid-market companies

20:00 In-house vs private practice: what AI disrupts

23:00 What he looks for in new hires

25:00 Judgement, humility and curiosity

27:00 Advice for lawyers considering a move in-house

29:30 The future: what’s next for Jonny

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Mabey, the co-founder and CEO of Juro. A former Freshfields lawyer, Richard left private practice in 2013 to pursue an MBA and later joined LegalZoom, before launching Juro in 2016. Nearly a decade on, the company is now one of Europe’s leading legal tech startups, helping fast-scaling businesses automate their contract processes and manage legal work with a radically different approach.

Richard talks candidly about his founder journey - from teaching himself to code in the early days, to building a company that's now helping hundreds of legal teams deploy AI agents directly into tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. We dig into how Juro thinks differently about contract lifecycle management, why Mabey believes the next generation of legal work will be agent-led, and what it really takes to get lawyers to embrace automation.

We also cover why Mabey thinks legal teams are being asked to do more with less, how agentic AI is already substituting junior-level tasks, and why the CLM category may be ripe for consolidation. Whether you're building legal tech, working in-house, or trying to understand what the future of legal work might look like, this episode is full of insight from one of the sector’s most thoughtful founders.

Chapters

00:30 Introduction: From Freshfields to Founding Juro

03:44 Starting Small: Building a Legal Tech Community

07:00 What Scale-Up GCs Really Care About

10:15 The Lawyer’s Role in an AI-First World

13:52 The Impact of Agentic AI on In-House Teams

17:05 The Training Problem for Junior Lawyers

21:10 The End of the Law Firm Pyramid?

24:30 How Juro’s Agents Actually Work

27:48 Replacing Low-Value Work with Automation

30:33 From Founder Doubts to Product Inflection

34:10 Building a Legal Tech Startup in the "Dark Ages"

36:45 Fundraising Lessons and Conviction in the Problem

39:30 How Juro Differs from Traditional CLMs

42:58 Defining the Agentic AI Opportunity

44:42 Why Legal Tech Will Consolidate (Eventually)

46:35 The Vision for Juro and the Future of Legal Work

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Ian Bagshaw is a City law private equity partner now heading up the London office of US law firm Perkins Coie which he launched in 2024. A highly experienced corporate lawyer with nearly 30 years in the field, he is recognised for his leadership in the private equity market at both UK and US law firms.

Before joining Perkins Coie, he was co-head of private equity at White & Case, where he built one of London’s top private equity practices. Before that, he held senior roles at Linklaters (co-head of private equity) and was also a partner at Clifford Chance.

In this conversation, Ian discusses his return to law to lead Perkins Coie's launch in London, emphasising the strategic timing and focus on tech clients and founders. He shares insights on building a startup culture within the firm, the importance of talent experience, and the impact of private capital on the legal industry. Ian outlines his vision for the future of Perkins in Europe, highlighting the need for a differentiated approach in a competitive market.

Chapters

00:40 Introduction to Perkins Coie and London Launch

06:10 Focus on Tech Clients and Founders

13:10 Building a Startup Culture in a Law Firm

17:50 Training and Development Strategies for Talent

19:10 Vision for Perkins Coie in the Next Decade

22:20 Private Capital’s Impact on Big Law

28:44 Investment Dynamics and the Future of Law Firms

34:25 The Changing Landscape of Legal Practice

37:20 Advice for Junior Lawyers

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Shruti Ajitsaria is a partner at A&O Shearman and the head of Fuse, the firm’s legal tech incubator. Since launching Fuse in 2017, Shruti has helped A&O engage with over 60 startups, run dozens of pilots, and turn legal tech from a buzzword into a real driver of value for both lawyers and clients.

In this conversation, Shruti shares how she went from credit derivatives lawyer to leading one of the legal industry's most ambitious innovation programmes. She explains how Fuse works behind the scenes, why A&O Shearman was willing to take a risk on her idea, and what separates the legal tech startups that scale from those that stall.

We also get into how the merger with Shearman & Sterling is expanding Fuse’s reach, what clients really expect from law firms when it comes to tech, and why true innovation in legal isn’t just about adopting tools, but creating a culture that’s open to change.

Whether you’re a founder looking to partner with firms, a lawyer curious about the future of your role, or just someone interested in how a 100-year-old organisation builds like a startup - this conversation is well worth a listen.

Chapters

00:40 From Credit Derivatives to Legal Tech

03:20 How Fuse Was Born

06:17 Launching Fuse and Becoming Partner

08:15 What Makes a Startup Right for Fuse

09:40 Inside the Incubator: How Startups Work with A&O

12:00 Definely, StructureFlow & Building Success Stories

14:23 The Anatomy of a Great Legal Tech Founder

17:50 Fuse’s Impact Inside the Firm

20:41 Legal Tech as Strategy

22:25 Innovation Starts at the Top

26:26 The A&O Shearman Merger and US Expansion

28:23 What Clients Expect in 2025

20:05 Where Legal Tech Disruption Hits First

32:18 Bonus Round: Trends, Hype, and Career Advice

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we speak with Philip Young - a former City litigation partner, founder of boutique firm Cooke, Young & Keidan, and now co-founder of Garfield AI, the first AI-powered law firm to gain regulatory approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Young shares the origin story behind Garfield, which began as a personal frustration with how hard it was for small businesses to recover unpaid debts - even when the law was clearly on their side. After retiring from CYK and taking a road trip across America, he encountered the first wave of generative AI tools and quickly saw the opportunity to build something game-changing: an intelligent assistant capable of running an entire small claims case, from letter before action to trial bundle.

We go deep on how Garfield works, the SRA’s lengthy but supportive approval process, and what it means for the legal industry that a product like this now exists. Young also explains why concerns about overwhelming the small claims courts are misplaced, how he sees AI improving rather than replacing legal work, and why he remains cautious about VC money despite a flurry of inbound interest.

With candid insights on access to justice, the role of human oversight, and how legal services might be delivered in the next decade, this is a conversation about a whole new category of legal services as much as it is about a new AI tool.

Chapters

00:45 From Law to Entrepreneurship: Philip Young's Journey

11:57 The Birth of Garfield AI: Inspiration and Development

24:13 Access to Justice and AI's Role

28:21 SRA Approval Process and Regulatory Challenges

33:30 Garfield's Vision and Future Products

39:45 The Future of Law and AI's Impact on Junior Lawyers

43:30 Finding Garfield and the Story Behind the Name

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Kerry Westland leads one of the most ambitious innovation functions of any major law firm - a 70-person team at Addleshaw Goddard dedicated to transforming how legal services are delivered (with and without tech).

In this episode, Kerry shares her journey from paralegal to head of innovation, and how AG has built out a tech strategy that blends vendor tools with homegrown solutions - including AGPT, the firm’s in-house AI assistant that’s now used across the business.

We talk through the evolution of AG’s legal tech stack, how the firm approaches ROI, the rise of GenAI, and the practical challenges of implementing new tools in a legacy profession. Kerry also reflects on what the future of the law firm might look like - and why she doesn’t believe in the “end of the people pyramid.”

From document automation to internal product development, from pricing models to practice group engagement, this is a look at how one of the UK’s top firms is operationalising innovation at scale.

Chapters

00:35 The Evolution of Legal Innovation

03:21 Defining Innovation in Law Firms

06:39 Day-to-Day Responsibilities of an Innovation Leader

09:26 Balancing Technology and Process in Legal Work

12:43 Addleshaw Goddard's Tech Stack Overview

15:30 Managing Technology Demands Across Practice Areas

18:33 Impact of Internal Tools on Legal Work

21:31 Adoption and Use Cases of AGPT

24:26 Cost Considerations in Legal Technology

27:19 Evaluating ROI on Legal Technology

30:17 Impact on Billable Hour Model

32:55 Productising Legal Technology

35:04 Disruption from AI in Legal Services

38:53 The Future of Junior Lawyers

40:38 Envisioning the Law Firm of 2035

44:11 Exciting Innovations in Legal Tech

48:46 Career Advice for Junior Lawyers

50:08 Overcoming Risk to Foster Innovation

51:32 Influential Reads in Legal Thinking

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Limbert, general counsel at Fulham Football Club, to explore what it really means to be the top lawyer at a Premier League football club.

From leading transfer negotiations to protecting the club's brand and navigating ever-evolving regulations, Peter shares a rare look into one of the most complex in-house legal roles in the sports industry.

Peter discusses the intricacies of player transfers - including how deals are structured, what can go wrong, and why payment provisions and sell-on clauses are among the most hotly contested parts of any agreement.

He also breaks down the legal considerations behind shirt sponsorships, brand partnerships, and stadium development, as well as how Fulham enforces its intellectual property rights around the globe.

We also dive into the personal side of the job: how Peter transitioned from aspiring professional footballer to City litigator to Fulham’s first GC, and why he believes staying calm under pressure is the most underrated skill in sports law. He opens up about the realities of working in a highly competitive, emotionally charged environment - where results on the pitch can shape the legal department's week.

Whether you're an in-house lawyer, a sports law enthusiast, or just curious how Premier League clubs really operate behind the scenes, this is an unmissable conversation with someone at the heart of it all.

Chapters

00:40 From Football to Law: Peter's Journey

05:09 Transitioning to Fulham FC: The In-House Experience

08:13 The Role of Legal in Football: A Day in the Life

11:45 Navigating Legal Challenges in Premier League Football

16:27 Broadcasting Rights and Sponsorship: Revenue Streams

26:21 Understanding Player Transfers: The Legal Process

29:31 Jurisdiction and Legal Framework in Football Transfers

31:41 Mitigating Risks in Transfer Agreements

34:00 Funding and Financial Structures of Transfers

35:52 Challenges in Negotiating Transfer Agreements

38:03 The Role and Power of Agents in Transfers

39:38 Understanding Transfer Deadline Dynamics

44:14 The Evolving Landscape of Sports Law

46:31 The Premier League: A Thriving Product

48:37 Qualities of a Successful In-House Lawyer

49:46 Advice for Aspiring Sports Lawyers

51:35 Key Contract Clauses in Sports Law

52:32 The Importance of Pragmatism in Sports Law

54:41 Recommended Reading for Sports Lawyers

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

In this conversation, we speak with Tom Goodhead, managing partner of Pogust Goodhead, one of the UK's fastest-growing litigation firms.

Tom shares the extraordinary story behind the firm’s rise - from his early days as a junior barrister handling slip-and-trip cases in Tesco to leading the largest class action in British legal history against mining giant BHP.

Speaking from Rio de Janeiro, Tom describes how a chance meeting with a Brazilian lawyer fighting for 6,000 fishermen turned into a sprawling international legal battle, ultimately securing a $550 million litigation funding deal with US hedge fund Gramercy.

He explains how Pogust Goodhead built the infrastructure to service tens of thousands of claimants across continents, why managing mass litigation is more like running a political campaign than a law firm, and how his team has gone head-to-head with a roster of elite firms including Slaughter and May, White & Case and Herbert Smith Freehills.

Tom also discusses how he thinks about litigation funding conflicts, what it takes to maintain trust with funders, and how Pogust Goodhead is using an innovative synthetic equity scheme to incentivise its lawyers to bet on the firm’s success.

He shares his broader vision for the future: building a global claimant-side powerhouse capable of challenging corporate giants the way Kirkland & Ellis or Quinn Emanuel have dominated commercial defence work.

Chapters

00:50 Introduction to the BHP Case

02:08 The Journey to the Case

06:01 Client Management in Class Actions

10:16 The Scale of the Environmental Disaster

14:00 Commercial Stakes and Legal Strategies

18:01 Litigation Funding and Financial Strategies

23:59 Challenges and Restructuring Decisions

30:03 Transformative Legal Battles: The BHP Case

34:25 Navigating Conflicts with Litigation Funders

41:16 Impact of PACCAR on the Funding Industry

47:05 Attracting and Retaining Legal Talent

56:08 Vision for the Future of Pogust Goodhead

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

In this episode, we speak with Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, a former Freshfields associate and now co-founder of Definely - one of the UK’s most exciting legal tech companies.

Nnamdi traces his journey building a legal career at a Magic Circle firm and ultimately leaving it all behind to solve a problem he first encountered while working alongside his visually impaired colleague Feargus MacDaeid who would become his co-founder.

Nnamdi shares the story of how he and Feargus turned an initial prototype into a Microsoft Word plug-in - and eventually a fast-growing platform now used by over 100 corporate customers like BT and JPMorgan, and law firm giants including A&O Shearman, Cravath and Milbank.

He discusses the steep learning curve of becoming a founder without a technical background, the early product iterations and how the startup found its first champions at firms like A&O and clients like Deloitte.

He also opens up about the realities of startup life: fundraising, cash flow pressure, making hiring mistakes, and learning to let go of perfectionism - particularly as a lawyer-turned-founder.

With Definely now backed by $7 million in Series A funding from Octopus Ventures and expanding into the US, Nnamdi reflects on the changing role of lawyers in the age of AI and why the future of the profession depends on embracing legal tech.

He also offers candid advice for lawyers considering a move into entrepreneurship, including the importance of resilience, self-belief and maintaining a growth mindset.

Chapters

00:45 Journey into Law: Early Influences and Aspirations

03:29 Training at Freshfields: The Big Law Experience

06:23 The Birth of Definely: Identifying a Problem

09:29 Building the First Prototype: A Solution for Accessibility

12:38 From Idea to Startup: The Entrepreneurial Leap

15:26 Securing Initial Funding: The First Angel Investment

18:38 Developing the Product: Iteration and Feedback

21:35 Gaining Traction: Signing First Customers

23:34 Navigating Early Challenges: Building Relationships with Clients

26:25 Leveraging Legal Expertise: Understanding User Needs

29:57 The Importance of Fundraising in Entrepreneurship

34:36 Shifting Mindsets: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur

36:55 Evolution of the Product: From Definitions to Comprehensive Solutions

39:20 Business Model and Customer Base: Focusing on B2B

42:21 Growth Metrics and Future Vision

44:18 Navigating Competition in Legal Tech

49:02 The Role of AI in the Future of Law

52:49 Challenges and Advice for Transitioning to Legal Tech

55:40 Learning from Mistakes: Hiring and Industry Insights

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

This is a conversation with Jonathan Watmough.

Jonathan became managing partner of City firm RPC at just 38. Over the next decade, he repositioned it through the global financial crisis, a shifting legal market and the rise of aggressive lateral hiring.

He stepped down in 2016, and has since worn several hats: performance coach, consultant and most recently, non-executive chair of the newly independent litigation specialist Rosenblatt.

He recently published ‘How to Thrive in a Commercial Law Firm’, a book gaining traction among mid-career lawyers and law firm leaders and which is all about helping lawyers make the most of their careers.

In this conversation, Jonathan shares his journey from an accidental lawyer to a managing partner at RPC, discussing the challenges and opportunities within the legal profession. He emphasises the importance of differentiation, leadership, and understanding client needs.

He also highlights the significance of emotional intelligence and relationship-building in achieving success in law. He provides insights from his book, and offers practical advice for junior lawyers on navigating their careers and finding their fit within the world of commercial law.

Chapters

00:40 Introduction to Jonathan

03:42 The Accidental Lawyer

06:31 Navigating the Legal Landscape

09:29 Opportunities in Crisis

12:35 Leadership Lessons from RPC

15:37 Role at Rosenblatt and Lessons for Listed Firms

18:47 The Future of Law Firms

21:38 Insights from 'How to Thrive in a Commercial Law Firm'

32:53 The Importance of Commercial Awareness in Law

40:12 Transitioning from Lawyer to Business Person

47:22 Work-Life Balance in Legal Careers

55:17 Future Client Needs and Career Advice

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

Today, we speak with Jack Shepherd.

Jack started out as a restructuring lawyer at Freshfields before moving into legal tech via the firm’s in-house innovation team. He now works at iManage - the US-based legal tech company behind the document management system used by most major law firms.

Jack is a well-known voice in the legal tech space and a regular speaker at industry conferences. He often takes a refreshingly contrarian view on AI - not for the sake of it, but because, having been a practising lawyer, he actually understands how lawyers work day-to-day.

In this conversation, Jack shares insights on the evolving landscape of legal AI and technology. He discusses his transition from practising law to working in legal tech, emphasising the importance of understanding the pain points of lawyers and how technology can address these issues. 

Jack critiques the current hype around AI, advocating for a more practical approach that focuses on enhancing the legal profession rather than replacing it. He also highlights the significance of project management skills in law, the ROI of legal AI tools and offers advice for lawyers looking to transition into legal tech. The discussion ends with thoughts on future-proofing legal careers and the traits of successful junior lawyers.

Chapters

00:50 From Lawyer to Legal Tech 

03:33 Understanding Legal AI: Current Landscape

06:20 The Role of AI in Legal Work

09:25 AI's Impact on Junior Lawyers

12:19 Identifying Pain Points in Legal Practice

15:25 The Future of Law Firms and SaaS

18:40 iManage: Revolutionising Document Management

27:46 Cultural Challenges in Legal Tech Adoption

28:27 Understanding ROI in Legal AI Tools

31:18 Strategic Technology Procurement in Law Firms

34:41 The Role of AI in Law Firm Marketing

36:38 Innovative Legal AI Tools to Watch

40:19 Future-Proofing Legal Careers

40:43 Advice for Lawyers Transitioning to Legal Tech

44:08 Traits of Successful Lawyers

49:25 Recommended Reads for Legal Professionals

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

This is our conversation with Richard Martin, a former partner at law firms including Jones Day and Speechly Bircham, who, after experiencing severe burnout and a mental health crisis while he was at the peak of his powers, has dedicated his career to improving mental well-being in the legal industry.

Now leading the Mindful Business Charter (MBC), Richard advocates for healthier working practices in law firms and corporate environments.

Richard shares his story, we discuss the state of mental health in the legal industry, which firms are doing good work to address the issue, some advice for lawyers feeling like they’re nearing burnout and how the Mindful Business Charter is tackling the issue

Chapters

00:40 Introduction to Richard and His Journey

03:43 The Impact of Stress and Mental Health in Law

06:10 Personal Experience with Mental Health Challenges

09:10 Transitioning to Mental Health Advocacy

12:10 Understanding the Legal Profession's Mental Health Landscape

15:15 The Role of Personality Traits in Lawyer Burnout

18:05 Current State of Mental Health Awareness in Law Firms

21:20 The Mindful Business Charter Explained

24:10 Challenges in Implementing Mental Health Initiatives

27:10 The Future of Mental Health in the Legal Profession

29:20 Understanding Client Expectations and Lawyer Responsiveness

34:10 The Role of Well-Being in Legal Practice

38:42 Balancing High Performance and Employee Well-Being

39:50 Navigating Burnout and Career Satisfaction

45:12 Advice for Junior Lawyers and Career Ownership

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

In this episode, we talk with Tara Waters.

Tara is a leading voice in legal tech and a lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience at City firms including A&O, Simmons and Ashurst where she was a partner and chief digital officer - during which time she successfully rolled out AI tool Harvey to all of the firm’s 4,000+ lawyers and business services staff around the world.

Tara shares her unique journey from technology to law, highlighting her experiences in legal tech and innovation. She discusses the evolution of legal services, the impact of generative AI, how law firms should assess its ROI and her favourite AI tools on the market.

Tara emphasises the importance of adapting to new technologies, the need for investment in learning and development,and the traits that distinguish great lawyers. She also provides insights into the future of the billable hour model.

Chapters

00:30 Introduction to Tara and Her Journey

03:034 Transition from Technology to Law

06:20 Building a Diverse Legal Practice

09:33 Innovation in Legal Services at Ashurst

12:33 Client-Driven Changes in Legal Tech

14:55 The Evolution of Legal Tech and AI

18:11 Generative AI's Impact on Legal Work

21:05 The Role of AI Assistants in Legal Practice

23:50 Harvey: A Case Study in Legal AI Implementation

27:08 Internal Adoption of AI Tools at Ashurst

30:40 Elevating Voices: The Importance of User Stories

30:58 Gaining Partner Buy-In for Technology Investments

33:20 Measuring ROI: Beyond Cost Savings

36:02 The Evolving Role of Lawyers in the Age of AI

39:36 Rethinking the Billable Hour Model

43:24 Legal AI Tools: Preferences and Industry Trends

48:02 Leading Firms in Legal Tech Innovation

49:31 Career Advice: Confidence and Continuous Learning

54:48 Investing in Learning and Development

56:40 The Value of Knowing When to Pivot

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

In today’s episode, we sit down with Scott Gibson, one of the City’s top headhunters and co-founder of elite partner-level recruitment firm Edwards Gibson. 

With 25 years in the game, Gibson has seen it all - and according to him, the market is crazier than ever.

We discuss what’s driving the hottest law firm partner transfer market in years, why elite firms are paying eye-watering sums, which practice areas are in hottest demand and how the rules of partnership are changing. 

Scott also reveals what law firms are looking for in lateral hires and gives his advice for associates and junior partners looking to make their mark.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Scott and His Career Path

02:03 Current State of the City Talent Market

06:11 The Impact of US Law Firms on the Market

09:59 High-Profile Partner Moves and Their Implications

14:07 The Economics Behind Law Firm Investments

17:58 What Law Firms Look for in Lateral Hires

21:54 Impact on firms outside the Magic Circle

26:13 Ageism and Retirement in Law Firms

30:53 The Pension Dilemma in Law Firms

32:42 Capital Contributions and Partner Exits

36:31 Navigating Guaranteed Compensation

38:30 The Role of Headhunters in Law Firm Recruitment

46:07 The Partner Hiring Process

55:20 Career Advice for Aspiring Partners

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.

Visit our website: ⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

In this episode, we sit down with Alexander Kardos-Nyheim, a lawyer who remarkably built a legal AI company as a side project during his training contract at A&O. In 2024 - just as he was qualifying - he sold the business to Thomson Reuters for a life-changing sum of money. 

Alexander shares his inspiring journey from a young advocate fighting against a developer threatening his community to becoming a lawyer and co-founding his legal tech startup, SafeSign Technologies. He discusses the challenges of balancing a training contract at A&O with the startup, the dynamics of the legal market, and the eventual acquisition by Thomson Reuters. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alex's Journey

02:49 The Catalyst for Becoming a Lawyer

05:36 Navigating Law School and Early Advocacy

08:07 The Appeal of Big Law Firms

10:31 The Impact of Rising Salaries in Law

13:14 The Shift in the Legal Market Dynamics

15:45 Starting a Tech Business During a Training Contract

18:22 Building a Legal Tech Startup

20:56 Balancing Work and Startup Life

22:58 The Challenges of a Dual Career

29:30 Navigating Dual Careers: Law and Entrepreneurship

31:50 Pivoting to Legal AI: The Birth of a Startup

35:18 Building a Legal-Specific AI Model

39:21 Funding and Team Dynamics in a Startup

42:49 Acquisition Talks: The Thomson Reuters Interest

49:52 Life After Acquisition: New Beginnings at Thomson Reuters

54:36 Advice for Aspiring Lawyer-Entrepreneurs

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