US-based law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher has increased salaries for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers in its London office, a 6 percent increase.
As of February 2025, NQ pay rose to £175,000, up from £165,000 in 2024. The adjustment positions Willkie closer to top-paying US firms like Quinn Emanuel and Gibson Dunn (£180k) but above Magic Circle firms, which offer £150k for NQs.
Trainee salaries also saw increases:
- First-year trainees now earn £60,000 (up from £55,000)
- Second-year trainees receive £65,000 (previously £60,000)[14].
The firm recruits six UK trainees annually, offering a structured program with mentorship and real-case exposure. These changes align with broader market shifts, where US firms in London have driven NQ pay to £170k–£180k, while UK-heritage firms like Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells lag at £135k[4][5][9].
Willkie’s New York associates, for comparison, earn between $205,000 and $435,000, depending on experience[8][12]. The firm’s growth—evidenced by an 8.7% revenue rise to $1.5 billion in 2024—supports its aggressive compensation strategy.
This pay escalation underscores the intensifying competition for legal talent in London, with firms balancing salary hikes against sustainable growth and workplace culture[16].
