New Threads

axk323 · Apr 7, 2026

Hello @Abbie Whitlock I feel like this might be a bit silly but I have a Vac scheme at a law firm in a couple of weeks. I really want to convert it into a TC offer. However, the firm have an AC after the Vac scheme to decide who receives a TC offer.
I guess I want to know roughly how important is the AC in this context. I.e. if I do poorly in the written ex but do well in the interview and group ex, and the vacation scheme am I still likely to get an offer ?

Zak991 · Apr 6, 2026

Anyone heard back from King & Spalding yet? or has guage when we could hear, I believe the AC's will be in april, if anyone has done them before, have fast did u find out after the application deadline, thanks

Apr 1, 2026

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Jon Henes finds lucrative role connecting ambitious law firms with rainmakers seeking big paydays
Law

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khadija18 · Mar 31, 2026

hi all! I hope you're well

I have applied to a firm which operates on a semi-blind recruitment process i.e. "We are operating a semi-blind recruitment process, so please do not include your address, school name, university name or grades throughout your application, other than in the dedicated contact detail and academic sections".

One of the sections asked: In what ways have your academic studies, qualifications, and work experience equipped you for a legal career?

In this, I accidentally named my university without realising - will this cause any blockers?

I'd appreciate any guidance, thank you so much - a worried applicant :')

Mar 31, 2026

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Judgment reversing earlier High Court decision is welcomed by law firms
Law

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khadija18 · Mar 31, 2026

hi all! I hope you're well

I've just realised I made a typo in my Farrer & Co application - I wrote 'F-20 statement' instead of '20-F statement' in both my work history and written questions (wrote it twice). Does anyone have an idea of how strict Farrer & Co usually is with errors like this? I'm debating whether to email in but I also don't want to draw any potentially unnecessary attention to it! Also - does anyone know what they interview process is like - is it 'application blind' or do partners have your application on hand? I'd appreciate any insight - thank you so much !! <3

Mar 31, 2026

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Macfarlanes has transcended its roots to become one of London’s most profitable legal partnerships
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Mar 30, 2026

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Abbie Whitlock · Mar 30, 2026

Hi all!

I have put together this thread to provide a clear and up-to-date overview of NQ (newly qualified) solicitor salaries across law firms, ranked from highest to lowest.

It isn’t always easy to find information on NQ salaries and compare them across firms, despite how relevant it is when making application decisions. This thread aims to bring that information together in one place so it is easier to see at a glance.

A few things to note:

Salaries are based on London NQ figures where available
Figures are base salary only (excluding bonuses and benefits)
Information is compiled from publicly available sources and may be subject to change - please feel free to comment with any updates or corrections!

I hope this is a useful reference point when deciding where to apply, how to prioritise firms, and assessing your options - best of luck!

(This list is dynamic and will be updated as firms announce any changes to their NQ salary) LAST EDITED: Tuesday 21st July, 2026

NQ Salary Ranking 2026/27:

Firm Ranking	Firm Name	NQ Salary (£)
1	Quinn Emanuel	£189,000
2	Davis Polk & Wardwell	£180,000
3	Gibson Dunn	£180,000
4	Paul Weiss	£180,000
5	Willkie Farr & Gallagher	£180,000
6	Simpson Thacher	£178,000
7	Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom	£177,000
8	Sullivan & Cromwell	£177,000
9	Goodwin	£175,000
10	King & Spalding	£175,000
11	Kirkland & Ellis	£175,000
12	Milbank	£175,000
13	Sidley Austin	£175,000
14	White & Case	£175,000
15	Debevoise & Plimpton	£173,100
16	Latham & Watkins	£173,077
17	Vinson & Elkins	£173,077
18	Fried Frank	£173,000
19	Morgan Lewis	£173,000
20	Ropes & Gray	£170,000
21	Weil Gotshal & Manges	£170,000
22	Akin	£167,000
23	Morrison Foerster	£167,000
24	Paul Hastings	£167,000
25	Dechert	£165,000
26	Jones Day	£165,000
27	Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton	£164,500
28	Orrick	£160,000
29	Winston & Strawn	£160,000
30	Cooley	£157,000
31	A&O Shearman	£150,000
32	Baker McKenzie	£150,000
33	Clifford Chance	£150,000
34	Freshfields	£150,000
35	Linklaters	£150,000
36	Macfarlanes	£150,000
37	Mayer Brown	£150,000
38	Slaughter and May	£150,000
39	Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer	£145,000
40	Hogan Lovells	£145,000
41	Ashurst	£140,000
42	DLA Piper	£140,000
43	Norton Rose Fulbright	£140,000
44	Katten	£135,000
45	Reed Smith	£135,000
46	Travers Smith	£130,000
47	BCLP	£125,000
48	CMS	£120,000
49	K&L Gates	£120,000
50	Simmons & Simmons	£120,000
51	Taylor Wessing	£115,000
52	Eversheds Sutherland	£110,000
53	Squire Patton Boggs	£110,000
54	Watson Farley & Williams	£107,000
55	Gowling WLG	£105,000
56	Pinsent Masons	£105,000
57	Shoosmiths	£105,000
58	Stephenson Harwood	£105,000
59	Dentons	£104,000
60	HFW	£103,500
61	Bird & Bird	£102,000
62	Addleshaw Goddard	£100,000
63	Fieldfisher	£100,000
64	Mishcon de Reya	£100,000
65	Osborne Clarke	£97,000
66	Bristows	£95,000
67	RPC	£95,000
68	Withers	£95,000
69	Charles Russell Speechlys	£93,000
70	Farrer & Co	£89,000
71	Fladgate	£88,000
72	Forsters	£88,000
73	Clyde & Co	£85,000
74	Harbottle & Lewis	£85,000
75	Kennedys	£85,000
76	Lewis Silkin	£85,000
77	TLT	£85,000
78	Trowers & Hamlin	£85,000
79	Kingsley Napley	£84,000
80	Howard Kennedy	£83,000
81	Wiggin	£83,000
82	Womble Bond Dickinson	£83,000
83	Wedlake Bell	£82,000
84	Gateley	£80,000
85	Marriott Harrison	£80,000
86	Hill Dickinson	£78,500
87	Irwin Mitchell	£78,000
88	Michelmores	£78,000
89	Payne Hicks Beach	£78,000
90	Burges Salmon	£76,000
91	Maples Teesdale	£75,400
92	Bates Wells	£75,000
93	Winckworth Sherwood	£75,000
94	Cripps	£72,000
95	Bevan Brittan	£70,000
96	Birketts	£70,000
97	Weightmans	£70,000
98	Walker Morris	£67,000
99	Stevens & Bolton	£66,000
100	Foot Anstey	£63,000
101	Mills & Reeve	£63,000
102	Ashfords	£61,000
103	Brabners	£53,000
104	Leigh Day	£52,000
105	Moore Barlow	£48,500
106	Express Solicitors	£36,000

Jaysen · Mar 29, 2026

Hey everyone,

For those of you with upcoming vacation schemes, whether in Spring or Summer, you can use this thread to discuss them. You can also ask any questions to help you convert your scheme.

@Abbie Whitlock and I will be around to help

Jaysen · Mar 29, 2026

Okay, I never thought I'd be posting my own thread, but why not.

I'm taking SQE1 in July. You can read more about my reasons here.

I'll use this thread to write about the process.

What I'm hoping is I can share, in real time:

Advice I get about how to do well
Techniques I use to study
Things that aren't obvious

If anyone is also taking the SQE now or in the future, you are also very welcome to start your own thread in this forum.

W5690 · Mar 28, 2026

Hi!

Have you heard from Arnold & Porter since you submitted your training contract application (deadline: 1st March 2026)?

Thank you.

Mar 28, 2026

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Rising asset values and increasingly complex families spark increase in cases heading to court
Law

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Mar 27, 2026

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‘Omnibus’ claim comes days before regulator unveils details of mis-selling redress scheme
Law

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Rooksandknights · Mar 27, 2026

How are you finding it- any interviews, how long did it take to get them? I started applying at the end of February 2026 and I have not had applications progressed (made about 20 so far- I have no legal work experience but I do have the SQE1/SQE2).

Edem · Mar 26, 2026

Hello everyone , I’m a penultimate LLB student from Ghana applying for the Linklaters Africa Clerkship.

Mar 25, 2026

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National Crime Agency has frozen multimillion-pound assets of woman with ambition of working in banking
Law

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Mar 25, 2026

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Quinn Emanuel says judge must recuse herself over post, which judge says she may have liked ‘accidentally’
Law

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magiccirclebaddie · Mar 24, 2026

Hello all,

I completed my VI for CMS Scottish Insight last Wednesday, does anyone know the timescale as to when responses are received?

Thanks!!

Mar 24, 2026

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FCA expected to unveil scheme to compensate millions of customers of allegedly mis-sold car loans this week
Law

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alanshore · Mar 23, 2026

Hi all. I have 2 queries about the following question:

"White & Case is a full-service law firm; which practice area would you like to discover more on during the Discover: University Insight Scheme and why?"

When talking about a specific practice area, what structure should I use? For similar questions in past unsuccesful applications I have generally used [deal that piqued my interest] -> [job simulation of the same practice area] -> [third experience if I can link it to practice area] -> [specific firm USP in practice area that I value for x reason]. What can I change from this format?
Would it be wise mentioning an alternative practice area to show my knowledge of the firm better?

Mar 23, 2026

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US trade policy hinges on obscure laws after Supreme Court ruled previous levies illegal
Law

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Mar 22, 2026

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Change set to be unveiled as part of rules aimed at curbing foreign interference
Law

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Mar 22, 2026

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Market Financial Solutions was complying with rules, law firm reported to UK regulator
Law

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Mar 22, 2026

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Barrister Anthony Searle is part of a generation using new tools to reshape the business of law
Law

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