NQ pay is 'crazy', says Simmons senior partner - 'It drives clients mad'

Simmons & Simmons senior partner Julian Taylor has taken issue with the sky-high salaries on offer to some newly qualified lawyers in London, calling them "crazy" and claiming they drive clients "absolutely mad".

Speaking on The Non-Billable Podcast, Taylor said the current rates - with top US firms paying £180,000 plus bonuses - can often go beyond what can reasonably be expected from NQs at the beginning of their careers.

"It's crazy, I think it's too much", he said. "You’re paying them four times what a teacher is paid, more than a hospital consultant is paid. I don't think it makes sense."

"It drives clients absolutely mad. Firms paying at those sorts of levels are trying to feed that through into pricing. It also distorts the talent market and the pay levels for clients… there’s a strong link between what’s paid in private practice and in-house."

While stressing the importance of remaining competitive in the battle for talent, he rejects the idea that matching the highest pay packets is the only way to do so. "These are incredibly talented people who should be really well paid… but I don’t think that means you need to be matching every pay level out there", he said. "We also want our trainees and juniors to have a life… not just sleep and work."

Junior lawyer pay keeps climbing

Pay for junior lawyers has continued to climb this year after a series of headline-making hikes in 2024. US firms - Gibson Dunn, Quinn Emanuel and Paul Weiss - lead the way on London NQ pay with rates of £180,000.

Magic Circle firms have so far held steady at £150,000, with Slaughter and May opting to hold its NQ rates at that level in its spring pay review. The gap between the Magic Circle and other leading UK firms is now noticeably small after pay hikes from several leading UK firms. HSF Kramer upped its rate to £145,000 in July.

Legal recruiter and former City lawyer Luke Mitchinson of ARMA Search told Non-Billable he sympathised with UK firms frustrated by US-level NQ packages which can top £200,000 with bonuses - "They will be earning more than day one partners at some UK firms" - but defended the rates as a reflection of market forces.

"If you want the best, you have to pay the most", he said. "It's not an issue for US firms. They're growing and getting more profitable. It's sustainable and has been the trend for years. It remains a real challenge for the UK firms to compete."