The Non-Billable Podcast

McDermott has just completed one of the biggest Big Law mergers in recent years, tying up with New York’s Schulte Roth & Zabel to create a $2.8 billion powerhouse sitting just outside the top 10 US firms by revenue. The deal was wrapped up in just three months - record speed by law firm standards - and is already producing results.In this episode, we sit down with Aymen Mahmoud, McDermott’s London managing partner, to get the inside view on how the merger came together, why culture was as important as strategy, and what the combined platform means for clients on both sides of the Atlantic. He explains why he calls it a “marriage of conviction” and why the firm is betting big on private capital as the driver of its next phase of growth.We also dig into the London story: how Schulte’s top-tier funds practice changes McDermott’s position in the market, the firm’s plans for a new Mayfair office in 2028, and the ambition to be on every top client’s speed dial for private capital work. Along the way, Aymen shares candid insights on talent, pay, and how McDermott is trying to do things differently - from matching New York comp in London to giving billable credit for mindfulness.Chapters00:01 Introduction01:15 The McDermott-Schulte Merger07:07 Cultural Integration and Success Metrics12:45 Strategic Growth in London18:42 Talent Acquisition and Retention24:40 Leadership and Personal Growth30:43 Future Vision for McDermottAbout Non-BillableNon-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

Hill Dickinson made headlines earlier this year with one of the boldest law firm marketing moves in recent memory: a multi-million pound deal to put its name on Everton’s new stadium in Liverpool. In this episode, Peter Jackson - the firm’s long-time managing partner and CEO - takes us inside the decision, what it means for brand recognition, and why giving back to the city was part of the rationale.Over nearly two decades leading Hill Dickinson, Jackson steered the firm through both rapid growth and tough choices. He recalls the pivotal moment in 2016 when the insurance practice, once a cornerstone of the business, became a drag on profits - and how the bold decision to sell it to Keoghs reshaped the firm’s future. His mantra: be brave, and get your partners onside.We also explore how Jackson approached culture and values, from rejecting lucrative lateral hires that didn’t fit, to hands-on leadership built around trust and constant communication. For him, sustainable growth always came back to three basics: people, clients and cash.Finally, Jackson shares his take on the wider market: the rise of external capital in law, the challenges and opportunities it brings, and what he thinks firms often get wrong about private equity investment.Chapters 00:01 Introduction01:30 Peter’s Background and Shipping Law04:13 The World of Superyachts and Monaco Expansion06:16 Hill Dickinson in the 1980s: From Liverpool Roots to London Growth09:03 Leadership Challenges and the Keoghs Transaction12:08 Strategy, Profitability and the Post-2016 Pivot14:32 Culture and Values: Building a Cohesive Firm16:09 The Changing Role of Managing Partner19:06 Hands-On Leadership and Partner Communication21:18 Talent, Lateral Hires and Protecting Culture23:18 Defining Star Partners and Building Teams25:28 The Everton Stadium Deal: Bold Marketing in Law30:23 Brand Recognition, Recruitment and Giving Back to Liverpool35:05 External Capital in Law: Opportunities and Risks43:12 Leadership Lessons: People, Clients, CashAbout Non-BillableNon-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

In this conversation with Stuart Bedford, the Global Head of Legal at KPMG, listeners gain insight into the unique role of Big Four firms in the legal industry. Stuart shares his journey from traditional law at Linklaters to shaping KPMG’s approach, emphasizing the integration of law, technology, and specialized teams. He explains why KPMG focuses on areas like regulatory compliance rather than flashy M&A deals. The discussion also covers KPMG's recent expansion into the US and the transformative power of technology in legal services.

Julian Taylor, a senior partner at Simmons & Simmons and a respected employment lawyer with over 25 years of experience, delves into the future of legal practice. He discusses the transformative role of AI in law, from enhancing workflows with tools like 'Percy' to reshaping pricing models. Taylor highlights the unsustainable 'crazy' pay for newly qualified lawyers and the competitive landscape driven by US firms. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and culture, advocating for flexible work arrangements as essential for long-term success.

Private equity and other forms of external capital are moving into the legal sector - a shift that is very likely to reshape law firm strategy. In this episode, we speak with Travis Lenkner, chief development officer at Burford Capital, the world’s largest provider of legal finance, about why investors are increasingly eyeing law firms and what that means for the market.Travis shares his unique perspective, having worked as a litigator at Gibson Dunn, served as senior counsel at Boeing, co-founded litigation funder Gerchen Keller Capital (later acquired by Burford), and launched his own law firm before rejoining Burford in 2024. Now focused on exploring potential equity investments in law firms, Travis explains the forces driving investor interest - from the UK’s long-standing ABS regime to growing recognition of law as a professional services market ripe for consolidation and technology-led transformation.We discuss the different ends of the market attracting attention, from private equity-backed regional roll-ups to strategic growth capital for top-tier global firms. Travis explains why Burford prefers minority stakes, the kinds of structures that make sense for law firms wary of losing control, and how outside capital can fund strategic hires, technology investment and geographic expansion. He also tackles the challenges of the traditional partnership model and the cultural shifts required to align incentives with long-term growth.Finally, Travis offers insights on the evolving US market - where regulatory constraints mean law firm investment often looks different - and why he expects both markets to develop rapidly in the next five years. Chapters 00:45 Introduction to Travis And Career Journey02:31 Understanding Burford Capital's Role in Legal Finance04:50 The Financial Model Behind Litigation Funding05:46 The Rise of External Capital in Law Firms06:12 Investment Strategies for Law Firms09:13 The Future of Law Firms in a Competitive Market13:46 The Evolving Landscape of Law Firm Investments17:28 Navigating Risks in Law Firm Dynamics19:20 Understanding Investor Exit Strategies24:14 Burford's Unique Position in Legal Investments25:26 Targeting Growth in Boutique Law Firms29:35 The Future of the US Legal Market34:24 Burford's Portfolio in Five YearsAbout Non-BillableNon-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

Ross McNairn is the founder and CEO of Wordsmith, one of the fastest-growing legal AI startups in Europe. In this episode, Ross shares how Wordsmith is rethinking the in-house legal function - not just with automation, but with a new model for how legal teams can triage and respond to the rest of the business using AI agents.We talk through the challenges of in-house legal teams, why Wordsmith is laser-focused on corporate legal rather than law firms, and how AI assistants are shifting legal from being perceived as a blocker to a true business enabler. Ross also explains how their customers - including companies like Trustpilot - are using the platform to improve responsiveness and efficiency across functions.Ross opens up about raising $25 million from Index Ventures, how Wordsmith became the fastest Scottish company to hit a $100 million valuation, and why they’ve been disciplined about staying lean, product-led, and focused on usage over hype. He also shares his thoughts on legal AI funding trends, the law firm vs in-house tech split, and the future of generalist vs vertical solutions in the space.Whether you’re a GC thinking about legal AI adoption, a lawyer eyeing a career move into tech, or just curious about how legal is changing from the inside, this is a conversation with a founder building at the forefront of the industry.Chapters 00:45 From Law to Software00:53 The Role of AI in Legal Workflows02:11 Introducing Wordsmith05:08 AI Agents: Enhancing Legal Productivity08:08 Customer Success Stories: Real-World Impact of Wordsmith10:57 Sales Strategy: Building Trust in Legal Tech13:55 Funding and Future Plans: Scaling Wordsmith16:30 Building a Lean Company17:27 Hiring for Legal Intelligence19:06 Motivations For People Joining Wordsmith20:50 Competitors in the Legal Tech Space21:17 Wordsmith's Suite of Tools22:16 Future of Legal Tech Solutions23:38 Impact of Recent Partnerships in Legal Tech26:02 Data Needs for In-House Legal Teams28:00 Investment Boom in Legal Tech29:27 Wordsmith's Strategy for Success32:31 Trends in Legal Tech33:25 Hiring Challenges at Wordsmith34:01 Vision for Wordsmith in 2030About Non-BillableNon-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

Adil Taha, a former investment banker and private equity executive, shares his expert insights into the intersection of private equity and the legal sector. He discusses the mechanics of law firm deals and the buy-and-build strategies gaining traction post-COVID. Adil reveals the unique challenges of law firm public listings, emphasizing the cultural clash between legal norms and market expectations. He also identifies opportunities for creating high-performance boutiques, showcasing how private equity could reshape traditional legal practices.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ed Parker, managing director at Fides Search and one of the most trusted headhunters in the City legal market. With nearly two decades of experience advising on partner and team moves, Ed brings a nuanced, data-driven perspective on how top firms are growing, and what that means for lawyers navigating their careers.We explore the structural shifts happening across the partner talent market, from the aggressive expansion of US firms in London to the growing importance of team moves and due diligence in lateral hiring. Ed explains why some firms are placing massive bets on high-performing partners, how they price those hires, and what really determines whether a client book will travel.For ambitious associates, this episode is packed with insight. Ed shares honest advice on timing your move, the risks of chasing quick promotions, and how to position yourself for long-term success - whether that’s through internal promotion or switching platforms. He also unpacks the rise of non-equity partnerships and what clients really care about when it comes to partner titles.Finally, we touch on where the market is headed in the second half the year, from fast-moving jurisdictions like Saudi and Luxembourg to the enduring pull of London as a legal hub. If you're interested in the economics, strategy, and personal dynamics behind law firm hiring, this is one not to miss.Chapters00:45 Introduction & About Fides Search03:45 What Headhunting Actually Involves07:15 Building a Practice from Scratch10:15 The State of the Partner Market in 202514:15 UK Firms: Adapting or Falling Behind?17:30 Team Moves vs. Individual Lateral Hires21:15 The Economics of Big Hires25:45 Is This an Existential Threat to UK Firms?30:15 The Rise of Non-Equity Partners35:15 Advice for Ambitious Associates43:45 Market Outlook for H2 202547:45 Connect with Ed & Fides SearchAbout Non-BillableNon-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

In this episode, we sit down with Richard East, the founding partner of Quinn Emanuel’s London office - the litigation powerhouse that has gone from a 2008 startup to one of the UK’s most profitable disputes firms, with revenues topping £220 million last year. Richard shares how he built the practice from scratch during the height of the financial crisis.We discuss Quinn Emanuel’s distinctive model: no corporate teams, no panels, no conflicts - and no apologies about taking on the banks. Richard explains why that singular focus has been so powerful, and how the firm’s “door-to-door” approach to marketing - cold-calling and in-person meetings - helped them land early clients that fuelled their growth.Richard also opens up about recruiting and compensation, including why Quinn refuses to follow the Cravath scale, why they pay comfortably above Magic Circle firms, and why entrepreneurial mindset is non-negotiable for new partners. He describes a culture that rewards independence and drive - and expects associates to own cases, not just take instructions.We wrap up with Richard’s thoughts on competition, the evolution of the Magic Circle, and what comes next. He shares why he sees massive potential in using AI to stay ahead, why he isn’t afraid of giant mergers, and why after 17 years he still feels like there’s much more to build.Chapters00:40 Launching Quinn Emanuel London in 200804:00 Building a Litigation-Only Practice from Scratch07:20 Marketing that Actually Works: Cold-Calling and Door-to-Door Meetings11:00 Winning Early Clients During the Financial Crisis14:40 How the Firm Thinks About Talent and Compensation20:00 Culture, Independence, and Entrepreneurial DNA24:30 Perspectives on the Magic Circle and Big Law Competitors29:30 The Role of AI and the Future of Litigation33:40 Leadership Lessons from 17 Years at the Helm36:30 Ambition for the Next ChapterAbout Non-BillableNon-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

In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Keen, head of international legal at Figma - one of the fastest-growing SaaS companies in the world. Jonny leads legal across EMEA, APAC, and Japan, supporting the business through constant product innovation, geographic expansion and a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.He shares what it’s really like to be the legal lead at a hypergrowth company, from negotiating major enterprise SaaS deals to navigating complex EU tech regulation. Jonny gives a behind-the-scenes view of how his team supports global scale, and what he looks for in the external law firms Figma relies on.We also dive into legal tech and AI, and why Jonny cares more about lawyers who understand tech than what tools they use. He shares his view on how AI is impacting in-house teams, and what traits set great in-house lawyers apart.Chapters00:40 Jonny’s role at Figma02:00 What legal looks like inside a rocketship04:00 A typical day (if one exists)06:30 Enterprise SaaS negotiations: fast and slow lanes08:40 How legal supports the business without breaking it10:00 Working with law firms: what matters12:30 AI and legal tech at Figma15:00 The EU regulatory wave18:00 The compliance burden for mid-market companies20:00 In-house vs private practice: what AI disrupts23:00 What he looks for in new hires25:00 Judgement, humility and curiosity27:00 Advice for lawyers considering a move in-house29:30 The future: what’s next for JonnyAbout Non-BillableNon-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