More law firms boost NQ pay and reveal SQE grants

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DLA Piper UK LLP, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Reed Smith and Ashurst LLP have become the latest law firms to increase their newly qualified (NQ) lawyer salaries.

NQ lawyer salary at DLA Piper will rise to £110,000 for the firm’s London cohort and £75,000 for its regional recruits – a 10% rise on the previous salary for both. The firm has also announced that its London trainees will receive £12,500 for their conversion courses, with £8,750 available for graduates who are completing online courses or located outside the City. The firm’s Solicitors Qualifying Exam students in London will receive a £17,000 grant, with £12,000 available to those located outside London, according to Legal Cheek.

Meanwhile, Reed Smith and Ashurst have increased London NQ salaries to £125,000 as they react to the movement in the industry. The boost at Reed Smith has been described as a “reflection of the market”, while also demonstrating the firm’s “desire to retain and attract the best talent”. Reed Smith’s London office managing partner Andrew Jenkinson said: “The new salary is an investment in our lawyers, which keeps us in line with other leading international law firms, and supports the firm’s strategic growth objectives enabling us to continue to deliver the highest quality, legal services that we are known for.”

Herbert Smith Freehills has also revealed an increase in NQ pay, with its NQ lawyers in London now on an annual salary of £135,000 (up from £120,000). The firm’s first and second-year trainee pay has also increased by £6,000 to £56,000 and £61,000, effective as of 1 September 2024.

These salary boosts come after other NQs across the country receive pay increases, while some US firms such as Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher UK LLP are paying junior lawyers £180,000 in the City.