Linklaters profits climb as firm points to US investment paying off

Linklaters has posted another year of strong growth, with the Magic Circle firm using its latest performance to underline the success of its continued investment in the US.

Revenue rose 7% to £2.47 billion in the year to 30 April, while profit per equity partner increased 11% to £2.48 million. Pre-tax profit climbed 12% to £1.2 billion, marking the firm's third consecutive year of double-digit profit growth.

US investment pays off

The standout message was the firm's growing US business.

Linklaters said it has doubled US revenue and quadrupled US profit over the past four years, with profit in the region rising a further 39% during the latest financial year. Over the same period, the firm's US partnership has expanded by more than 75%, helped by a series of lateral hires.

"Our momentum continues to build as we attract and develop top tier talent and deepen relationships with global clients, including in the US, where we have doubled revenue and quadrupled profit over the past four years," managing partner Paul Lewis said.

AI and new headquarters

Linklaters continued to invest across its business during the year.

The firm launched Applied Intelligence, a new practice combining lawyers, AI specialists and data scientists to develop AI tools for clients, while also rolling out Legora across its global network and recruiting a team of dedicated AI lawyers.

It also elected 37 new partners and hired 12 laterals globally during the year.

The period also saw Linklaters relocate to its new global headquarters at 20 Ropemaker Street in the City, while the partnership also backed its leadership team by extending the terms of senior partner and chair Aedamar Comiskey and managing partner Paul Lewis until 2029.