Iconic Highlights
Q2 has been another busy quarter for the Legal team at Iconic.
We have supported a number of successful placements across Private Client, Commercial Disputes and Personal Injury, with the majority of hiring activity centred around Associate, Senior Associate and Director-level positions. This aligns closely with the wider market trend, as firms continue to prioritise experienced hires who can bring specialist expertise, support client demands and contribute to long term growth.
We were also delighted to attend the Scottish Legal Awards, one of the highlights of the legal calendar and a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Scotland’s legal profession. It was great to see so many firms, clients and contacts recognised for their achievements, and the event served as a reminder of the strength, resilience and continued evolution of the Scottish legal market.
Market Movement & Hiring Trends
The market has continued to show resilience throughout Q2, with a significant volume of senior appointments, trainee recruitment and internal promotions announced across the sector.
One of the clearest themes has been investment in specialist expertise. TLT continued to expand its Scottish presence with appointments across Digital & Technology, Employment, Corporate and Financial Services Regulatory & Disputes, while Freeths strengthened its Scottish offering through senior hires in Tax, Commercial Disputes and Technology leadership.
Elsewhere, Addleshaw Goddard bolstered its construction litigation practice with the appointment of Gillian Woodward, while Thorntons added corporate and employment specialists Fiona Piper and Stephen Connolly to support the continued growth of its Glasgow office. We also saw strategic appointments reflecting demand in specialist markets, with Anderson Strathern strengthening its immigration and private wealth disputes offerings, BTO investing in charity law expertise, and Turcan Connell expanding its business law and rural practices.
The broader backdrop remains positive. Brodies reported another year of strong financial performance, with revenue increasing by 11% and headcount growing by 7%, alongside continued investment in office expansion, lateral hiring and AI strategy. The results provide a strong indicator of the confidence that continues to exist across the Scottish legal sector.
Taken together, these developments suggest firms remain committed to long-term growth despite wider economic uncertainty.
Investing in Future Talent
Alongside senior recruitment, firms have continued to invest heavily in the next generation of solicitors.
Notable trainee intakes were announced by Thorntons, which welcomed its largest ever cohort of 23 trainees, alongside substantial intakes at Anderson Strathern, Aberdein Considine, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, Blackadders, Stronachs and TC Young.
At a time when many firms continue to face challenges recruiting experience, these investments demonstrate a continued focus on developing talent internally and building succession pipelines
NQ Retention Remains a Priority
Several firms highlighted strong retention figures, with Anderson Strathern retaining all 10 of its qualifying trainees, while firms including Stronachs, Blackadders and TC Young also confirmed NQ retention.
We saw strong retention outcomes at larger firms. Harper Macleod retained 13 of 17 qualifying trainees, Addleshaw Goddard retained 43 of 50 across its UK business, including a number qualifying into its Scottish offices, while Dentons retained 28 of 37 qualifiers and confirmed several newly qualified solicitors would join its Scottish teams. Gillespie Macandrew also successfully filled all targeted NQ vacancies across its Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth offices.
This is especially notable given the limited number of external NQ opportunities available. While firms continue to recruit trainees in significant numbers, demand across the broader market remains focused on Associate, Senior Associate and Partner level talent.
Growth Beyond Fee-Earners
Appointments such as Watermans’ first Chief Operating Officer and Freeths’ new Chief Technology Officer highlight the increasing importance firms are placing on operational excellence, technology and innovation.
As AI and legal technology continue to develop, firms are recognising that future growth will not be driven solely by legal expertise but also by the operational and technological infrastructure that supports it. We expect this trend to continue as firms look to improve efficiency, enhance client experience and embrace new ways of working.
Looking Ahead
As we move into Q3, the strongest demand continues to sit at the Associate, Senior Associate and Legal Director level, with firms remaining focused on experienced hires who can deliver specialist expertise and support ongoing growth.
From a practice area perspective, Employment remains one of the busiest areas of the market, with a significant number of live opportunities across both Edinburgh and Glasgow. We continue to see sustained demand within Real Estate, Private Client, Professional Indemnity, Personal Injury and Dispute Resolution, while Banking & Finance, Corporate, and specialist areas such as Construction, Competition and Corporate Tax continue to attract targeted investment.
The market also remains highly active for insurance-related work, with opportunities spanning Personal Injury, Healthcare, Medical Negligence, Disease, Abuse and Property Damage. This mirrors the hiring activity we have seen throughout the year, particularly across the defender insurance and litigation sectors.
While the external NQ market remains more challenging than in previous years, the outlook for experienced lawyers remains positive. Based on current vacancy levels and client conversations, we expect demand for Associate and Senior Associate talent to remain strong as firms continue to invest in key practice areas and specialist expertise.