Recruitment Market Update - A soft November, but Banking shows renewed energy

November saw a gentle slowdown in new roles across the London legal market, with 113 new roles posted on law firm career sites - down from 134 in October. The dip is very much in line with seasonal patterns: last year November recorded 111 new roles, also following a busier October (121).

However, beneath the headline numbers, several areas showed renewed strength. In particular, Banking & Finance and Restructuring & Insolvency both picked up noticeably compared with October.

With December traditionally marking the quietest month of the year for new vacancies, November’s activity offers a useful indication of where firms are still hiring as they head into year-end.

Banking & Finance: The Standout Area of November

Banking & Finance was the most active practice area in November, recording 22 new roles -  a notable increase from the 11 seen in October. This made it the single busiest practice area of the month, contrasting with the easing momentum reported in October and suggesting pockets of renewed demand across leveraged finance, structured finance and general banking.

Corporate: Activity Dips After a Strong Autumn

Following a strong run in September and October, Corporate hiring slowed in November, with 6 new roles posted. While below recent levels, the figures are broadly in line with the typical late-year cooling and remain higher than many earlier months of 2025.

Employment: Stable but Lower Than Recent Highs

Employment also saw six new roles in November, down from the very strong 14 recorded in October. Despite the reduction, Employment continues to be one of the more consistently active practice areas this year, with steady demand across both contentious and advisory workloads.

Real Estate: Holding Firm

Real Estate remained steady in November, with 6 new roles, complemented by 3 in Real Estate Litigation. Although activity is lower than summer highs, the area continues to show stable mid-level demand especially in firms with well recognised real estate practices.

Litigation – some interesting new roles in specialist areas

Commercial Litigation saw nine new roles whilst Insurance litigation continued to deliver with seven new roles in November.  Specialist litigation skills were also in demand, with several firms starting to look for lawyers with niche skill sets such as data/cyber litigation, tech litigation and sports litigation.   

Restructuring & Insolvency: Returning to Higher Levels

After a quieter October, Restructuring & Insolvency rebounded strongly with 7 new roles in November. This marks one of the highest monthly totals since the summer and reinforces the steady, year-long activity in this area perhaps suggesting that firms are preparing for continued economic uncertainty into 2026.

Outlook

While November’s 113 new roles represent a reduction from October, the figures are broadly consistent with seasonal patterns. Banking & Finance stood out as the strongest area, while specialist litigation and restructuring continued to provide depth to the market.

As we move into December — typically the quietest month of the year — the number of new roles expected is likely to be lower than November, However, we can be sure that amongst the firms that advertise their roles, 2025 will have delivered more new roles than 2024.

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Breakdown by Practice Areas

Transactional Roles:

At the beginning of December, we identified the following number of London based legal jobs that were being advertised by law firms on their careers’ pages in the below practice areas:

• Banking & Finance:  42 roles (three being a PSL roles) - seven with US firms, 34 with UK international/global firms and one with City/regional firm.  There were 22 new roles added to firms’ careers’ sites during November.

• Corporate:  30 roles (one being a PSL roles) - six with US firms, 16 with international firms and eight with City/regional firms. There were six new roles added to firms’ careers’ sites during November.

• Restructuring/Insolvency:  13 roles . Five with US firms, three with UK international/global firms and five with City/regional firms). Seven of the roles were new, having been added to the firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

Number of live London transactional roles advertised directly by firms

Advisory Practice areas:

At the beginning of December, we identified the following number of London based legal jobs being advertised by law firms on their careers’ pages in the below practice areas:

• Antitrust/EU/Competition: Seven roles - one with a US firms and five with UK international firms, one with a City/Regional firm. Four new roles were added to firms’ careers’ sites during November.

• Employment - 33 roles (including one PSL role) - two with US firms, 10 with top tier international firms and 22 with City/regional firms. There were six new roles added to firms’ careers’ sites during November.

• FS/Regulatory - Six roles - one with a US firm, four with international firms and one with a City/Regional firms. There was one new roles added to firms’ careers’ sites during November.

• Incentives - Five roles.  Three with UK international firm and two with a City/regional firm.  One new roles was added to firms’ careers sites during November.

• Funds - Five roles (including one PSL role)  Two with US firms and three with international firms.  One of the roles was new, having been added to the firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

• Pensions - 10 roles (including one PSL roles) - six with international firms and four with City/regional firms.  There were no new roles added to firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

• Tax - 14 roles (including one tax litigation role) - one with a US firm, 11 with international firms and two with regional/City firms. There were three new roles added to firms’ careers’ sites during November.

Number of live London Advisory roles advertised directly by firms

Litigation:

At the beginning of December, we identified the following number of London based legal jobs being advertised by law firms on their careers’ pages in the below practice areas:

• Commercial Litigation - 19 roles (including one PSL). Two with US firms, eight with international firms, nine with regional/city boutiques). Nine of the roles were new, having been added to the firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

• Real Estate Litigation - Five roles. All five roles were with City /Regional firms).  Three of the roles were new, having been added to firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

• Insurance Litigation - 15 roles. 11 with international firms and four with city/regional firms. Seven of the roles were new, having been added to firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

• Personal Injury (including clinical negligence) - Four roles.  Two with international firms, and two with City/Regional firms).  Two of the roles were new, having been added to firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

• Specialist Litigation - 19 roles - One with a US firm, six with international firms and 12 with city/regional firms.  Five of the roles were new, having been added to the firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

Number of live London Litigation roles advertised directly by firms

Construction, Planning and Real Estate:

At the beginning of December, we identified the following number of London based legal jobs being advertised by law firms on their careers’ pages in the below practice areas:

• Construction – 18 roles (including two PSL role). Four with international firms, 14 with City/regional firms).  One of the roles was new, having been added to the firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

• Construction Litigation - 10 roles.  Six with international firms and four with City/Regional firm).  One of the roles was new since the beginning of November.

• Planning - Six roles.  Two with international firms and four with City/regional firms).  One of the roles was new since the beginning of November.

• Commercial Real Estate - 19 roles (including two PSL roles). One with a US firms, eight with international firms and 10 with City/regional firms).  Six of the roles were new, having been added to the firms’ careers’ site since the beginning of November.

Number of live London Construction, Planning and Real Estate roles advertised directly by firms

To see which firms are advertising roles and explore these opportunities use the job search feature on www.therackle.com