Financial Times FT.com

Resources

iLaw logo iLaw

FT Law 50 2008

Rankings at a glance
2008 Rank28
2007 Rank-
2008: Total score for ALL entries submitted57
2008: score band for ALL entries submitted (/10)2
Number of standout entries in FT REPORT1
Number of highly commended entries in FT REPORT2
Number of commended entries in FT REPORT0
2008: total weighted score for ranked entries in FT REPORT8
2008: score band for ranked entries in FT REPORT (/10)2
2007: total weighted score for ranked entries in FT REPORT0
2007: score band for ranked entries in FT REPORT (/5)0
2007: Profits per Equity Partner (PEP)120
2007: score band for PEP (/5)1
Assessment of management commitment and innovation value to firm (/20)10
Total Innovation Score in the FTLAW50 (/50)15

Management 2008

Rankings at a glance
Award LevelStandout
InnovationBusiness model innovation.
Originality7
Rationale7
Impact6
Total20
DescriptionThe business model of the firm is unusual for a City of London practice focused on TMT. Based on having senior lawyers only, it is a limited company with no offices. Lawyers are self-employed.

Billing and Fees 2008

Rankings at a glance
Award LevelHighly commended
InnovationGeneral approach to billing in a low leveraged law firm.
Originality6
Rationale7
Impact5
Total18
DescriptionAdaptable, flexible approach to billing, partly enabled by the firm's innovative structure, whereby it only employs senior lawyers and has low overheads.

Human Resources 2008

Rankings at a glance
Award LevelHighly commended
InnovationNew recruitment and compensation model for a law firm.
Originality7
Rationale6
Impact6
Total19
DescriptionRecruit only senior lawyers and pay them on the basis of their fee income. Lawyers earn 50% of fees up to £200,000, and a higher percentage if they bill more. Leads to genuine flexible working on a scale not seen in top law firms.