'Some firms won’t survive': Simmons senior partner Julian Taylor on the legal AI reckoning, NQ pay wars and the US firm challenge

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 flexible working arrangement Julian has maintained for nearly two decades - and why he believes adaptability, curiosity, 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