Is the Grass Greener? Legal Careers Beyond the M25
28 May, 20254 minutes
Let’s be honest, too many talented solicitors get caught in the gravitational pull of London, seduced by prestige and promise, only to find themselves boxed into high street practices on the city's fringes, or grinding out another year, commuting over an hour each day on the tube with little progression in sight.
Meanwhile, just over the M25, Kent and the South-East are undergoing a legal renaissance, one that’s reshaping the regional market and quietly offering some of the best opportunities in the UK for ambitious legal professionals.
The Smart Move for Ambitious Lawyers
Kent is becoming a destination for serious legal careers. After a year of shake-ups and senior-associate and partner level departures, there’s now a wealth of legal opportunities for solicitors at all levels, from NQ to 8 years PQE, ready to step into more senior roles with the autonomy, progression, and mentorship that often take years to find in the City.
Mid-sized law firms across the region are expanding aggressively. Birketts, for example, recently promoted 45 lawyers, signalling not just growth planning, but confidence in long-term talent. And they’re not alone, nearly half (49.3%) of UK mid-sized law firms are eyeing expansion into commercial real estate, private client work, and litigation.
-And it’s showing no sign of slowing down.
A massive 80% of these law firms are experiencing continued growth and many plan to open new offices across the regions in 2025. That means the expansion of departments, more roles at leadership level, partners, equity partners and legal directors, and ultimately more opportunities to step into positions that genuinely move your legal career forward. You can find out more about our work in Kent here.
Commercial Property is Booming
Associates and Senior Associates in Commercial property are especially desirable across Kent at the moment. Law firms in Kent are actively recruiting at all levels, offering solicitors the chance to take on serious, high-value legal work. And because many of these firms are led by former City Partners, you’ll find the same quality of instruction but with far more headroom to grow.
You won’t be fighting for scraps or stuck in someone’s shadow. You’ll be encouraged to lead, to develop, and to take on responsibility early.
High Quality Work-Life Balance
Your life outside work matters. In Kent, you get the best of both worlds: top-tier legal work without overpriced rent and travel. Whether it’s time with family, room to breathe, or a house with a garden instead of a shoebox flat, the benefits are real and immediate.
So, is the grass greener?
If you’re looking for real career progression, mentorship from ex-City partners, high-calibre legal work, and a better work-life balance, Kent might not have been your first thought, but it’s certainly worth serious consideration.
Can we help you to make a strategic career move to the South-East? Register or get in touch here.
