Q2 2026
Overview
Following an exceptionally active start to the year, the Knowledge Lawyer market settled into a more measured pace during Q2 2026, with 28 recorded moves across the UK legal market, compared to 43 in Q1.
On the surface, a reduction in activity could suggest a cooling market. However, our conversations with firms, Heads of Knowledge and candidates paint a different picture. Demand hasn’t disappeared; it has become increasingly focused.
Rather than broad expansion, firms are making more deliberate hiring decisions, investing where Knowledge capability will have the greatest commercial impact at present, tailored to firm needs. The emphasis is shifting away from growing teams from a capacity perspective and towards appointing experienced individuals who can support strategic priorities, improve efficiency and help firms navigate an increasingly complex legal and technological landscape.
As we move through 2026, firms seem to be placing a premium on making the right hire at the right time.
Hiring with greater precision
One of the defining characteristics of the second quarter has been the increasing precision behind hiring decisions.
During 2025, many firms were focused on strengthening or rebuilding Knowledge capability following several years of market change. The first half of 2026 feels different. Hiring is becoming more selective, with firms taking a considered approach to where additional expertise will deliver the greatest return, especially with the surge in AI / innovation led initiatives.
This is reflected in the spread of activity across the market. Mid-market firms once again led the way, accounting for 9 recorded moves, followed by 7 across international firms and 5 within service providers. Magic Circle firms recorded 4 moves, while American firms accounted for just 1 during the quarter.
Whilst US firms remain highly attractive employers, the reduced number of moves should not necessarily be interpreted as a reduction in appetite. Instead, it reflects a market where hiring decisions are increasingly driven by specific business need rather than broad recruitment programmes.
Interestingly, service providers continue to establish themselves as credible destinations for experienced Knowledge professionals. Businesses such as LexisNexis and FromCounsel continue to attract senior legal talent by offering highly specialised roles focused on knowledge creation, legal technology and thought leadership.
A Quarter of rebalancing across practice areas
Perhaps the most interesting story this quarter lies within the practice area data.
Following an exceptionally strong Q1 for Corporate and Banking & Finance, Q2 presents a noticeably different picture.
Corporate remained the most active practice area, recording 6 moves and reinforcing its position as one of the most consistently active areas within the Knowledge market. Transactional practices continue to require sophisticated knowledge support as firms respond to increasing deal complexity, evolving regulation and greater client expectations around efficiency.
Litigation, however, saw the most significant shift. Having recorded just 1 move in Q1, the practice area rebounded strongly with 6 moves in Q2, making it joint leader alongside Corporate. Whilst it is too early to determine whether this represents a longer-term trend, it highlights how quickly hiring priorities can evolve in response to changing client demand and internal strategic focus.
Employment and Tax & Pensions, on the other hand, each recorded 3 moves, continuing to demonstrate resilience despite wider market fluctuations. Energy & Infrastructure also appeared for the first time this year, reflecting growing investment in sectors influenced by infrastructure projects, energy transition and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Conversely, Banking & Finance experienced a notable reduction, falling from eight moves in Q1 to just 2 in Q2. Given the exceptional activity seen earlier in the year, this appears more indicative of a natural rebalancing than any weakening in long-term demand.
Taken together, the data reinforces an important point. Knowledge hiring is increasingly following the strategic priorities of firms rather than remaining evenly distributed across practice areas.
Experience remains the most valuable commodity
If one trend has remained remarkably consistent throughout 2026, it is the continued demand for experienced Knowledge Lawyers / senior fee-earning / in-house profiles.
Three-quarters of all recorded moves this quarter involved lawyers with more than ten years’ PQE, accounting for 21 of the 28 appointments / promotions.
This mirrors what we continue to hear from clients across the market. Firms are looking for individuals who can influence beyond their immediate practice group, support firm-wide initiatives, mentor lawyers, develop knowledge strategy and increasingly contribute to innovation programmes.
Whilst junior and mid-level appointments continue to exist, they remain comparatively limited. The Knowledge market continues to favour individuals who can operate with minimal supervision and deliver immediate commercial value.
As expectations placed upon Knowledge functions continue to broaden, experience remains one of the market’s most valuable assets.
The retention challenge continues
Although hiring volumes have reduced compared to Q1, the underlying themes driving candidate movement remain largely unchanged.
Increasingly, we are speaking with Knowledge Lawyers, fee-earners and in-house counsels alike who might not be actively looking to leave but are becoming more receptive to external conversations.
The reasons are familiar.
Many describe roles that have evolved significantly over the past two to three years. Responsibilities have expanded into innovation, legal technology, AI implementation, business development, client training and cross-practice collaboration, yet progression pathways and remuneration have not always kept pace.
This creates a subtle but important challenge for firms.
Whilst salary remains an important consideration, recognition, visibility and long-term career development are becoming equally influential factors in retention. Experienced Lawyers are increasingly seeking environments where they can continue to broaden their remit whilst receiving appropriate recognition for the strategic value they deliver.
Where those opportunities are unclear internally, the external market continues to provide an attractive alternative.
External hiring continues to drive growth
The balance between new appointments and internal promotions remained largely unchanged during Q2, with 21 new roles recorded alongside 7 promotions.
It’s worth noting that the 21 new roles do not solely represent external hires. They also include existing fee-earners who have transitioned internally into Knowledge Lawyer positions, reflecting a continued willingness from firms to invest in knowledge capability by leveraging existing talent and technical expertise.
Nevertheless, external recruitment continues to account for the majority of market movement. Firms remain focused on attracting experienced Knowledge Lawyers who can bring fresh perspectives, specialist expertise and immediate impact, particularly where teams are evolving or expanding into new areas.
Promotions, whilst fewer in number, remain equally significant. They demonstrate an ongoing commitment to recognising and developing existing Knowledge talent, particularly as individuals take on broader leadership responsibilities spanning innovation, legal technology, AI adoption and firm-wide knowledge strategy.
Together, these figures highlight a balanced approach to building Knowledge functions. Firms are continuing to invest externally where specialist expertise is required, whilst also creating opportunities for experienced fee-earners to transition into Knowledge roles and recognising those already established within Knowledge teams through promotion.
As Knowledge functions continue to evolve, we expect this blend of external recruitment, internal transitions and promotions to remain a defining feature of the market.
Innovation is becoming business as usual
One of the quieter but more significant developments emerging from conversations this quarter is the normalisation of innovation within Knowledge roles.
Unlike previous years, AI is rarely being discussed as a standalone initiative. Instead, it is increasingly viewed as another component of the modern Knowledge Lawyer’s remit.
Whether supporting the implementation of AI tools, improving knowledge management processes, developing governance frameworks or helping fee earners understand new technologies, firms increasingly expect Knowledge Lawyers to play an active role in shaping how innovation is embedded across the business.
Importantly, this evolution is not replacing traditional knowledge work. Rather, it is expanding it.
The strongest candidates continue to combine exceptional technical legal expertise with commercial awareness, collaboration and an openness to new ways of delivering legal services.
Looking ahead
The first half of 2026 has demonstrated that the Knowledge Lawyer market continues to evolve in both maturity and sophistication.
Whilst overall movement has moderated since Q1, hiring remains purposeful. Firms are making fewer appointments than at the beginning of the year, but each appointment appears increasingly aligned to long-term strategic priorities.
Looking ahead, we expect demand to remain strongest in practice areas experiencing continued regulatory and transactional complexity, whilst the intersection between Knowledge, innovation and technology will continue to influence both role design and hiring decisions.
Perhaps most importantly, the competition for experienced Knowledge Lawyers is unlikely to ease. As firms continue to ask more of their Knowledge functions, attracting and retaining the right individuals will remain one of the defining challenges for the remainder of 2026.
List of Knowledge Lawyer moves Q2 2026
Banking/ Finance
Fiona McCrindle has been promoted to Knowledge Counsel and Head of Practice Development at A&O Shearman from their previous role as Client Strategy / Senior Knowledge Lawyer.
Deborah Orlando has been appointed to Principal Knowledge Lawyer (Real Estate Finance) at Addleshaw Goddard LLP from their previous role as Legal Director at DLA Piper.
Commercial/Tech
Hermione Marshall has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer at Simmons & Simmons LLP from their previous role as Managing Associate- Digital Business.
Competition
Adele Behles has been promoted to Senior Knowledge Lawyer at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer from their previous role as Knowledge Lawyer.
Construction
Yasmin Bailey has been appointed to Professional Support Lawyer- Construction at Fieldfisher LLP from their previous role as Senior Associate at Vinson & Elkins.
Emma Coates has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer- Construction at Winston Taylor LLP from their previous role as Associate.
Corporate
Isobel Hoyle has been promoted to Knowledge Counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer from their previous role as Knowledge Lawyer.
Tara Hogg has been appointed to Knowledge Counsel- Corporate at Mayer Brown LLP from their previous role as Knowledge Lawyer, Corporate at LexisNexis UK.
Mark Saunders has been appointed to Principal Associate Professional Support Lawyer at Eversheds Sutherland LLP from their previous role as Professional Support Lawyer at Fieldfisher LLP.
Katherine Manderson has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer- Corporate at LexisNexis UK from their previous role as Associate at CMS.
Heidi Bond has been appointed to Corporate Senior Associate Professional Support Lawyer at Birketts LLP from their previous role as Senior Associate.
Karen Davies has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer at LexisNexis UK from their previous role as Corporate Associate at Payne Hicks Beach LLP.
Employment
Mandy Li has been appointed to Principal Associate PSL, Employment at Eversheds Sutherland LLP from their previous role as Knowledge Lawyer at Baker McKenzie.
Anita Mulholland has been appointed to Employment Knowledge Lawyer at TLT LLP from their previous role as Senior Employment Lawyer at Dentons.
Beth Thomas has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer at Lewis Silkin from their previous role as Associate.
Energy & Infrastructure
Kenna Gordon has been appointed to Knowledge Counsel at CMS from their previous role as Associate.
Aaron Wu has been promoted to Knowledge Counsel at Slaughter and May from their previous role as Senior Knowledge Lawyer.
Aron Dindol has been promoted to Senior Knowledge Lawyer (Aviation) at Clyde & Co from their previous role as Knowledge Lawyer.
FS/Reg
Chloe Barrowman has been promoted to Senior Knowledge Lawyer at A&O Shearman from their previous role as Professional Support Lawyer.
Litigation
Juliette Huard Bourgois has been appointed to Dispute Resolution Knowledge Counsel at Covington & Burling LLP from their previous role as Associate Attorney at Winston & Strawn LLP.
Sarah Breckenridge has been appointed to Head of Disputes & Risk Knowledge at Osborne Clarke LLP from their previous role as Investment Manager- Litigation & Arbitration Funding at Erso Capital.
Helen Robinson has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer at FromCounsel from their previous role as Senior Associate at Winston Taylor LLP.
Shanna Davison has been promoted to Knowledge Counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer from their previous role as Knowledge Lawyer.
Helen Carter has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer at TLT LLP from their previous role as Senior Counsel at Macfarlanes.
Claire Cotterill has been appointed to Knowledge Lawyer at Clyde & Co from their previous role as Senior Associate.
Tax / Pensions
David Stainer has been appointed to Tax Knowledge Lawyer at FromCounsel from their previous role as Advisory, Group Tax at Barclays.
Christy Wilson has been appointed to Tax Knowledge Lawyer at LexisNexis UK from their previous role as Tax Associate at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.
Jessica White has been appointed to Professional Support Lawyer at Burges Salmon LLP from their previous role as Partner at Wilsons Solicitors LLP.
At MRA Search, we work exclusively with Knowledge Lawyers, Professional Support Lawyers and firms across the UK legal market, providing real-time market insight, salary intelligence and strategic recruitment advice.
Whether you’re considering your next move, expanding your Knowledge function or simply interested in discussing how the market is evolving, I’d be delighted to speak. Get in touch with me directly, and we can arrange a call, coffee or even breakfast.
