Addleshaw Goddard keeps NQ salaries firm during pay war
updated on 01 September 2025
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City law firm Addleshaw Goddard has announced that its salaries for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers will remain at £100,000, as it opts to allocate an extra £1 million to bonuses at the company instead. The firm’s bonus pot is now worth a total of £19 million.
Managing partner Andrew Johnston stated that taking this step, “means lawyers who have contributed significantly are meaningfully rewarded”. He also added: “While we recognise this is a different position to the one others are taking, we believe that we are doing what is right for our people and business and aligning with the interests of our clients.” In addition, NQ lawyers also remain a clear priority, with the firm achieving a 86% retention rate (retaining 50 of 58 trainees) in its largest qualifying cohort to date. This August, Addleshaw Goddard also reported an 11% revenue increase in its financial performance, rising from £495.6 million to £550.9 million, with a profit per equity partner of £1 million.
Addleshaw Goddard’s salary stance is significant as it comes during this year’s summer salary pay ‘war’, where increases to NQ salaries have been made in an attempt to attract top talent. Law firms that have recently announced NQ salary increases include:
- Baker McKenzie (£140,000 to £145,000)
- Bird & Bird (£98,000 to £102,000);
- DLA Piper UK LLP (£110,000 to £130,000);
- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (£135,000 to £145,000);
- HFW (£100,000 to £103,500); and
- Pinsent & Masons LLP (£97,000 to £105,000).
Shoosmiths is another law firm that also acknowledged the impact of pay bunching and aimed to address the issue by committing to “providing competitive salaries at all levels across the firm”.
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