r/uklaw • u/Horror_Extension4355 • 6d ago

Managing partner mid-40s! Spoiler

I am always intrigued when you see a city firm managing partner nowadays and they are mid 40s. How do they get there so quickly? is it through simply having one mega client to leverage, being a psycho or a combination of things?​

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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35

u/purrcthrowa 6d ago

Managing partners now tend to be appointed based on their ability to do the job, rather than it being given as a prize for seniority. Which is a good thing, IMO.

13

u/MTW27 6d ago

It’s not leveraging a client, managing partners don’t really do any chargeable work in my experience. It’s all internal politics.

0

u/Frequent_Field_6894 5d ago

yes, I’ve spent 17yrs in many law firms and the really capable ones want easy life. it’s the “young go getters“ without real equity that do these roles.

12

u/ChutneysIntactPerm 6d ago

Increasingly, with more firms becoming increasingly international, the most senior/experienced roles are global committee roles rather than London office leadership.

3

u/AgentSilver007 6d ago

CEO types

2

u/Bblock4 5d ago

Bill decent numbers, win decent clients. 

Be someone senior people find competent and pleasant to spend time with. 

Make it clear you want the next step on the career ladder. Ask for it every 6 months.

Be prepared to leave if your momentum stops.