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