Thomson Legal salary guide finds ‘notable increase’ in salaries for lawyers with 3-5 years’ PQE

The legal recruitment specialist found that NQ lawyers in Scotland were seeing top-end salaries of up to £38,000 within the larger commercial law firms this year. Junior partners at Scottish firms can achieve salaries above six figures and there has been a notable increase in salaries for lawyers at the “in demand” level of circa 3-5 years PQE across Scotland.

It also noted that salaries for lawyers working in-house in have also been on the rise across many key sectors. The financial services market still dominant in Edinburgh has seen increased activity in the last 12 months in what has been a quieter market in previous years.

In Glasgow there has been rising demand for in-house lawyers in renewables, biotech, manufacturing and technology. Recovery of the oil & gas market remains an extremely slow process however, with many lawyers in Aberdeen opting to relocate now to the central belt.

Thomson Legal found that interest in a career move in-house remains a popular choice in Scotland with one third of lawyers having the intention of searching for an in-house role in the year ahead. However, a high percentage of lawyers also expressed specific concern about making a move generally in the “post-Brexit” economic climate.

The legal recruitment expert also said that Scottish lawyers considering a move to London or overseas with experience in corporate, banking, finance and funds would still find attractive financial opportunities, notably with the Magic Circle and US law firms. Lawyers with more niche skill sets will find a move to the City to further afield viable but typically with fewer options than in previous years.

Speaking to Scottish Legal News, David Thomson, director at Thomson Legal (pictured) said: “ We are unquestionably seeing a more cautionary approach in the legal sector as a result of Brexit and of course, recent developments in the US.

“However, it is positive to see many Scottish law firms and in-house legal teams continuing to commit to their long-term growth plans. Many Scottish law firms are growing in size due to strategic mergers and alliances while others are expanding into new sectors and territories, creating great market share, opportunities and stability.”