For many years two kinds of lawyer have been the most in demand by London shipping law firm – those with 2-4 PQE (that’s 2 to 4 years post qualification experience for the non-lawyers among you) and partners with client followings. 

But recently, more experienced assistant solicitors have become the must-have accessory for every fashionable shipping law firm. Whereas 5-7 PQE used to be seen as an expensive time to hire, it’s not such a big issue now. With newly qualified lawyers earning more than £60,000 in leading firms, their more seasoned brethren don’t seem like such an expensive luxury any more. 

What’s more, they know what they’re doing, they can be charged out a proportionately higher rates and it’s not so unusual for them to wait until 10 PQE for partnership, especially as many firms have introduced an associate or senior associate stepping stone.