You might be considering a career in law, or maybe you’re facing a legal matter and are curious about different types of law firms. Not all law firms are the same, although they might all serve a similar function. Here we’ll explain the main types of law firms you might find so you can consider the best fit for you.
Magic Circle Firms
The ‘magic circle’ is a nickname for five top London-based law firms, including Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Freshfields, Slaughter and May and A&O Shearman. These law firms specialise in high-end corporate law and typically work on huge deals throughout the world, including billion-pound contracts. They’re known for their prestige, impressive salaries and very long hours. Those seeking a London law firm could also consider firms such as https://www.forsters.co.uk.
Silver Circle and US Firms
Beneath the top-of-the-line magic circle firms, there are the silver circle firms. These are also major players with high standards and huge reputations. They usually offer more variety in the type of legal work they do, and the solicitors who work there tend to have a slightly better work-life balance. Then there are also the US firms in London, which have close ties to their American headquarters and whose solicitors are usually considered the best of the best.
Mid-Sized and Boutique Firms
Mid-sized firms land somewhere in the middle. They don’t have the global reach of the bigger names in the magic and silver circles, but they do offer exceptional and high-quality legal work across lots of different practice areas and are more accessible to the public. Boutique firms specialise in niche areas, such as intellectual property law or entertainment law.
Regional and High Street Firms
London isn’t the only law hub, and regional firms are generally excellent and operate all across the UK, offering lots of variety in their daily work and closer client relationships. High street firms are the most local and accessible. They are the ones you’ll see on your town’s high street, providing the everyday legal help we might all need from time to time.
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