TBD Marketing launches new headcount service

In a move to enhance transparency within the legal sector, TBD Marketing has launched its new monthly service, The TBD 250, designed to track headcount among the UK’s Top 250 law firms. This innovative service will provide subscribers with a monthly snapshot of the recruitment, retention, and growth trends shaping the UK legal market, delivered directly to their inboxes at no cost.

Traditionally, headcount data across major law firms has been disjointed and often challenging to compare. The introduction of TBD’s data dashboard aims to consolidate this information into a single, accessible platform. Legal professionals, journalists, analysts, and recruiters will find value in a reliable source of insight that includes not just current data but also historical figures, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of market evolution over time.

Recent statistics highlight that 50 firms now boast over 1,000 lawyers, with the top 16 firms accounting for half of the total headcount. Remarkably, the leading trio comprising DLA Piper, CMS, and A&O Shearman collectively employs more lawyers than the 115 firms ranked from 85 to 200 combined.

Simon Marshall, founder of TBD Marketing, conveyed the significance of this new initiative, stating “Law is a people business. The number of lawyers in a firm is one of the clearest indicators of its scale, ambitions, and pressures. By launching this service, we’re giving the market a free and regular source of insight into how firms are moving – whether that’s rapid growth, consolidation, or periods of stability. For firms themselves, it provides a benchmark. For commentators, it offers context. For recruiters, it highlights where the market is heating up. It’s an essential resource for anyone following the legal sector.”

Subscribers to the TBD 250 will benefit from a range of offerings, including a free monthly email containing the latest headcount data for the UK’s top firms. Paid subscribers will also gain access to historical data for deeper analysis and insight into shifts that could indicate recruitment initiatives, mergers, or growth strategies within the sector.

Recent findings from TBD revealed that the UK’s top law firms have expanded their teams by an average of 32.53% over the past five years, emphasising the dynamic nature of the industry. To ensure the ongoing accessibility and development of this valuable service, TBD Marketing is also seeking potential sponsors.

Those interested in subscribing to the UK Top 250 Headcount Service can visit tbdmarketing.co.uk/top-250 for more information.