Why US Law firms in London are quietly stocking up on mid-level Associates

For years, the focus of US law firm growth in London has been on headline partner hires and market-topping NQ salaries. But according to one of the City’s top recruiters, the real action has now shifted elsewhere.

"Since 2023, a lot of the demand has really started to push more to the third-year to eighth-year level," says Ria Karnik, who leads the associate recruitment team in London at Major, Lindsey & Africa.

Speaking on The Non-Billable Podcast, Karnik explains that the hiring pattern reflects a change in how US firms are building their London offices. With partner moves over the past two years triggering knock-on hiring further down the ladder, firms are now focused on adding depth at that level.

"What it indicates is that we’re now seeing US firms almost taking that model that you would typically see in a Magic Circle or a Silver Circle firm," she says. "The teams are becoming more established."

That shift is also changing the long-held perception of US firms as operating a strictly "up or out" model. "It’s not just an up or out culture," Karnik says. "You need to know that you’ve got people that are on the progression path."

The demand is being driven by familiar practice areas - leveraged finance, private credit and private equity remain core - but Karnik says US firms are increasingly investing beyond their traditional transactional pillars. "We’re seeing investment in areas like tax or competition," she says, alongside "really strong TMT teams" and growing litigation practices.

The knock-on effects are being felt across the market. US firms’ relentless hiring has contributed to salary bunching at many UK firms, which have raised NQ pay sharply but failed to keep pace at mid-level.

Karnik says that leads to frustration among the associates she talks to. "I’ve heard instances of NQs earning just £30,000 less than sixth-year associates," she says. "That’s extremely frustrating when you’re expected to do BD, mentor juniors and take on a lot more responsibility alongside the technical part of your role."