DLA Piper unleashes major NQ salary hike, fuelling London’s escalating legal pay war
The battle for legal talent in the City has reached fever pitch. DLA Piper has thrown down a gauntlet by hiking pay for its newly-qualified solicitors (NQs) in London to an eye-watering £130,000. The 18% increase takes effect from September, intensifying the ongoing salary war gripping London’s elite law firms.
The global legal powerhouse isn’t stopping at London. NQs based in DLA Piper’s regional UK offices will see their salaries climb by 9.3%, reaching £82,000 annually. Trainees across the board will also benefit from notable increases. In London, first-year trainee pay jumps to £52,000, with second-years earning £57,000. Outside the capital, first-year trainees will now receive £35,500—up from £34,000—rising to £39,000 in year two.
Announcing the bold move, Andrew Dyson, UK country managing partner, said: “We are making a significant investment into our people in the UK, recognising the importance of the UK legal market as a focus for growth within our international strategy. We are delighted to enhance the rewards to newly-qualifying solicitors at a level that reflects the high performance of our firm in the UK.”
DLA Piper’s aggressive pay rise positions the firm squarely in the middle of the City’s escalating NQ salary contest, where top firms are locked in fierce competition to attract and retain the brightest legal minds. The salary hikes reflect not only the demand for legal expertise but also firms’ determination to outbid rivals for junior talent.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe pay war shows no sign of cooling. Last month, Hogan Lovells nudged its London NQ salaries up by 2.7% to £140,000, following a 12.5% increase the previous year. Meanwhile, Slaughter and May has opted to freeze its NQ pay at an already staggering £150,000, choosing stability over further escalation—for now.
These soaring salaries are sparking growing concern within the legal community. Some general counsel fear the NQ pay race could distort the wider profession, potentially destabilising the employed legal sector and widening gaps between private practice and in-house legal teams.
Outside London, DLA Piper’s pay increases, though more modest, still represent a significant boost. With £82,000 now on offer to NQs in regional offices, the firm continues to signal its intent to reward excellence and retain talent across all its UK locations, not just in the capital.
For trainees, the salary bumps provide a promising financial pathway even before qualification. London-based trainees will now see their pay rise by £2,000 per year, ensuring steady growth as they progress towards NQ status.
The City’s pay battle has become a barometer of firms’ financial health and strategic priorities. Record revenues, sustained client demand, and fierce competition for junior solicitors have all fuelled the inflationary spiral. Yet some industry voices warn that this could create unsustainable pressure, particularly if market conditions shift or client budgets tighten.
DLA Piper’s move underscores the firm’s confidence in its UK operations. By significantly raising pay, it not only signals financial strength but also acknowledges the fierce competition for top-tier graduates emerging from law schools across the country.
As the legal salary arms race accelerates, many now wonder which firm will blink next—and whether the sector is heading towards a breaking point. With £150,000 NQ salaries already in play, the stakes have never been higher.
For now, DLA Piper’s bold pay rise cements its place among the City’s top-paying firms, fuelling an increasingly ferocious battle for talent that shows no signs of slowing.
