The Non-Billable Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Adil Taha, a former investment banker, private equity executive and one of the most experienced PE figures operating in the UK legal sector today. Adil has led or been involved in multiple private equity transactions across professional services, including the turnaround of several law firms and the recent high-profile rescue of Rosenblatt out of failing listed group RBG Holdings.We dive into the mechanics of private equity in law - how deals are structured, what PE firms are really looking for, and why so many are focused on buy-and-build strategies in the regional market. Adil gives a candid assessment of what’s working, what isn’t, and why we’ve yet to see a successful PE exit in UK legal.He also unpacks the challenges of law firm listings, the hidden risks of the full-service model, and why relationship-driven businesses don’t always fit neatly into financial engineering. Finally, we talk about the opportunity Adil sees at the top end of the market: building a lean, high-performance boutique from scratch. For investors, firm leaders, and ambitious lawyers alike, this is an inside look at how private capital is reshaping the business of law.Chapters00:45 Adil’s Background and First Law Firm Rescue02:15 The Rosenblatt Rescue03:51 The Rise of PE in Legal Post-COVID06:27 Where PE is Investing Today09:09 Exit Challenges and Lack of Trade Sales11:45 Why Law Firm IPOs Don’t Work14:39 The Culture Clash Between Law and Public Markets16:08 Trade Sales vs PE: Who’s Buying?19:03 Why MBOs May Be the Only Exit Path21:21 Could PE Ever Buy a Top 30 Firm?23:09 Lessons from DWF and Who’s Vulnerable25:39 Exit Options for Larger Firms27:39 How PE Transactions Work in Practice30:39 How Deals Are Structured: Day One, Rollovers, Earn-Outs34:45 The Case for Building a Super Boutique from Scratch37:57 The Super Boutique Vision and TimingAbout 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’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

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Mabey, the co-founder and CEO of Juro. A former Freshfields lawyer, Richard left private practice in 2013 to pursue an MBA and later joined LegalZoom, before launching Juro in 2016. Nearly a decade on, the company is now one of Europe’s leading legal tech startups, helping fast-scaling businesses automate their contract processes and manage legal work with a radically different approach.Richard talks candidly about his founder journey - from teaching himself to code in the early days, to building a company that's now helping hundreds of legal teams deploy AI agents directly into tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. We dig into how Juro thinks differently about contract lifecycle management, why Mabey believes the next generation of legal work will be agent-led, and what it really takes to get lawyers to embrace automation.We also cover why Mabey thinks legal teams are being asked to do more with less, how agentic AI is already substituting junior-level tasks, and why the CLM category may be ripe for consolidation. Whether you're building legal tech, working in-house, or trying to understand what the future of legal work might look like, this episode is full of insight from one of the sector’s most thoughtful founders.Chapters00:30 Introduction: From Freshfields to Founding Juro03:44 Starting Small: Building a Legal Tech Community07:00 What Scale-Up GCs Really Care About10:15 The Lawyer’s Role in an AI-First World13:52 The Impact of Agentic AI on In-House Teams17:05 The Training Problem for Junior Lawyers21:10 The End of the Law Firm Pyramid?24:30 How Juro’s Agents Actually Work27:48 Replacing Low-Value Work with Automation30:33 From Founder Doubts to Product Inflection34:10 Building a Legal Tech Startup in the "Dark Ages"36:45 Fundraising Lessons and Conviction in the Problem39:30 How Juro Differs from Traditional CLMs42:58 Defining the Agentic AI Opportunity44:42 Why Legal Tech Will Consolidate (Eventually)46:35 The Vision for Juro and the Future of Legal WorkAbout 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

Ian Bagshaw is a City law private equity partner now heading up the London office of US law firm Perkins Coie which he launched in 2024. A highly experienced corporate lawyer with nearly 30 years in the field, he is recognised for his leadership in the private equity market at both UK and US law firms.Before joining Perkins Coie, he was co-head of private equity at White & Case, where he built one of London’s top private equity practices. Before that, he held senior roles at Linklaters (co-head of private equity) and was also a partner at Clifford Chance.In this conversation, Ian discusses his return to law to lead Perkins Coie's launch in London, emphasising the strategic timing and focus on tech clients and founders. He shares insights on building a startup culture within the firm, the importance of talent experience, and the impact of private capital on the legal industry. Ian outlines his vision for the future of Perkins in Europe, highlighting the need for a differentiated approach in a competitive market.Chapters00:40 Introduction to Perkins Coie and London Launch06:10 Focus on Tech Clients and Founders13:10 Building a Startup Culture in a Law Firm17:50 Training and Development Strategies for Talent19:10 Vision for Perkins Coie in the Next Decade22:20 Private Capital’s Impact on Big Law28:44 Investment Dynamics and the Future of Law Firms34:25 The Changing Landscape of Legal Practice37:20 Advice for Junior LawyersAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Shruti Ajitsaria is a partner at A&O Shearman and the head of Fuse, the firm’s legal tech incubator. Since launching Fuse in 2017, Shruti has helped A&O engage with over 60 startups, run dozens of pilots, and turn legal tech from a buzzword into a real driver of value for both lawyers and clients.In this conversation, Shruti shares how she went from credit derivatives lawyer to leading one of the legal industry's most ambitious innovation programmes. She explains how Fuse works behind the scenes, why A&O Shearman was willing to take a risk on her idea, and what separates the legal tech startups that scale from those that stall.We also get into how the merger with Shearman & Sterling is expanding Fuse’s reach, what clients really expect from law firms when it comes to tech, and why true innovation in legal isn’t just about adopting tools, but creating a culture that’s open to change.Whether you’re a founder looking to partner with firms, a lawyer curious about the future of your role, or just someone interested in how a 100-year-old organisation builds like a startup - this conversation is well worth a listen.Chapters00:40 From Credit Derivatives to Legal Tech03:20 How Fuse Was Born06:17 Launching Fuse and Becoming Partner08:15 What Makes a Startup Right for Fuse09:40 Inside the Incubator: How Startups Work with A&O12:00 Definely, StructureFlow & Building Success Stories14:23 The Anatomy of a Great Legal Tech Founder17:50 Fuse’s Impact Inside the Firm20:41 Legal Tech as Strategy22:25 Innovation Starts at the Top26:26 The A&O Shearman Merger and US Expansion28:23 What Clients Expect in 202520:05 Where Legal Tech Disruption Hits First32:18 Bonus Round: Trends, Hype, and Career AdviceAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we speak with Philip Young - a former City litigation partner, founder of boutique firm Cooke, Young & Keidan, and now co-founder of Garfield AI, the first AI-powered law firm to gain regulatory approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).Young shares the origin story behind Garfield, which began as a personal frustration with how hard it was for small businesses to recover unpaid debts - even when the law was clearly on their side. After retiring from CYK and taking a road trip across America, he encountered the first wave of generative AI tools and quickly saw the opportunity to build something game-changing: an intelligent assistant capable of running an entire small claims case, from letter before action to trial bundle.We go deep on how Garfield works, the SRA’s lengthy but supportive approval process, and what it means for the legal industry that a product like this now exists. Young also explains why concerns about overwhelming the small claims courts are misplaced, how he sees AI improving rather than replacing legal work, and why he remains cautious about VC money despite a flurry of inbound interest.With candid insights on access to justice, the role of human oversight, and how legal services might be delivered in the next decade, this is a conversation about a whole new category of legal services as much as it is about a new AI tool.Chapters00:45 From Law to Entrepreneurship: Philip Young's Journey11:57 The Birth of Garfield AI: Inspiration and Development24:13 Access to Justice and AI's Role28:21 SRA Approval Process and Regulatory Challenges33:30 Garfield's Vision and Future Products39:45 The Future of Law and AI's Impact on Junior Lawyers43:30 Finding Garfield and the Story Behind the NameAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Kerry Westland, Partner and Head of Innovation at Addleshaw Goddard, leads a dynamic 70-person team dedicated to reshaping legal services through technology. She discusses her evolution from paralegal to innovation leader, the impactful rise of their internal AI tool AGPT, and the firm's strategy in blending vendor tech with homegrown solutions. Kerry also explores the changing landscape of legal practices, balancing tech and human roles, and the importance of transparency in pricing models, all while envisioning the future of law.

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Limbert, general counsel at Fulham Football Club, to explore what it really means to be the top lawyer at a Premier League football club. From leading transfer negotiations to protecting the club's brand and navigating ever-evolving regulations, Peter shares a rare look into one of the most complex in-house legal roles in the sports industry.Peter discusses the intricacies of player transfers - including how deals are structured, what can go wrong, and why payment provisions and sell-on clauses are among the most hotly contested parts of any agreement. He also breaks down the legal considerations behind shirt sponsorships, brand partnerships, and stadium development, as well as how Fulham enforces its intellectual property rights around the globe.We also dive into the personal side of the job: how Peter transitioned from aspiring professional footballer to City litigator to Fulham’s first GC, and why he believes staying calm under pressure is the most underrated skill in sports law. He opens up about the realities of working in a highly competitive, emotionally charged environment - where results on the pitch can shape the legal department's week.Whether you're an in-house lawyer, a sports law enthusiast, or just curious how Premier League clubs really operate behind the scenes, this is an unmissable conversation with someone at the heart of it all.Chapters00:40 From Football to Law: Peter's Journey05:09 Transitioning to Fulham FC: The In-House Experience08:13 The Role of Legal in Football: A Day in the Life11:45 Navigating Legal Challenges in Premier League Football16:27 Broadcasting Rights and Sponsorship: Revenue Streams26:21 Understanding Player Transfers: The Legal Process29:31 Jurisdiction and Legal Framework in Football Transfers31:41 Mitigating Risks in Transfer Agreements34:00 Funding and Financial Structures of Transfers35:52 Challenges in Negotiating Transfer Agreements38:03 The Role and Power of Agents in Transfers39:38 Understanding Transfer Deadline Dynamics44:14 The Evolving Landscape of Sports Law46:31 The Premier League: A Thriving Product48:37 Qualities of a Successful In-House Lawyer49:46 Advice for Aspiring Sports Lawyers51:35 Key Contract Clauses in Sports Law52:32 The Importance of Pragmatism in Sports Law54:41 Recommended Reading for Sports LawyersAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/