The Non-Billable Podcast
The Non-Billable Podcast
Podcast Description
The Non-Billable Podcast takes UK legal professionals beyond the billable hour, bringing you interviews with top lawyers, law firm leaders, industry experts and legal tech innovators to uncover actionable insights on the business of law, career growth and the future of the industry.
Hosted by Oliver Attinger, a former finance lawyer at a leading City law firm with in-house experience at an investment bank - now asking the questions he wished he had when he was practising.
Brought to you by Non-Billable, the go-to newsletter for City lawyers, in-house counsel, and legal professionals.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
This podcast focuses on themes related to the business of law, career development, and legal innovation. Episodes delve into topics such as the evolving dynamics of the legal market, personal stories of entrepreneurial lawyers, and insights into legal tech advancements. For instance, episodes have highlighted journeys of individuals like Alexander Kardos-Nyheim, who successfully balanced a legal training contract with launching a legal tech startup, exploring challenges and strategies for success in a competitive field.
The Non-Billable Podcast takes UK legal professionals beyond the billable hour, bringing you interviews with top lawyers, law firm leaders, industry experts and legal tech innovators to uncover actionable insights on the business of law, career growth and the future of the industry.
Hosted by Oliver Attinger, a former finance lawyer at a leading City law firm – now asking the questions he wished he had when he was practising.
Brought to you by Non-Billable, the legal media platform for City lawyers, in-house counsel, and legal professionals.
In this episode, David Nicol, headhunter and co-head of Marsden’s US practice, breaks down the structure of the US legal market and how it has evolved over the past decade.
From the dominance of New York as the global dealmaking hub to the distinct identities of markets like California, Texas and Chicago, he explains why the US is far more complex and fragmented than many outside it assume.
The conversation explores the rise of firms like Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, and how they have reshaped the traditional hierarchy once dominated by Wall Street white shoe firms.
We also get into the economics of the top end of the market, including partner pay, the realities of the lateral market and what it takes to attract and retain elite rainmakers. Nicol explains why compensation structures, client demands and platform capabilities all play a role in driving partner moves.
Finally, the discussion looks ahead to what could shape the next phase of the US legal market, from the continued growth of private capital and restructuring work to the potential impact of AI on law firm economics and structure.
The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/
Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable
Chapters
00:01 Introduction
02:40 Understanding the US legal market structure
04:39 Why New York still dominates global Big Law
07:07 California, Texas and the rise of regional powerhouses
12:30 Boston, Chicago and DC: key secondary markets
16:33 Magic Circle firms in the US: what’s working and what’s not
23:07 Partner pay and the $30M rainmaker reality
28:19 Lateral moves, Wachtell and shifting firm models
32:02 Kirkland, AI and what comes next for Big Law
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk
Disclaimer
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