How much does a partner in a law firm make in Scotland?

Mar 19, 2023

Written By Panashe Nyadundu

As being a partner requires a high level of work experience, responsibility, knowledge, and skill, you can expect to receive a significantly higher salary for this advancement in your career. If you have ambitions of becoming a partner in a law firm in Scotland, read on to understand what you can expect to earn.

What does being a partner involve?

Working as a partner within a law firm means that you have progressed past working as a trainee, associate solicitor, and senior associate. In Scotland, like many other jurisdictions, there are two forms of being a partner: equity partners and salaried partners.

Law firms that are structured as a partnership use equity partners. This means that you have co-ownership of the firm, take responsibility for liabilities, and enjoy a share of the firm’s profits. A non-equity partner is still a salaried employee and will have the same important tasks as an equity partner, but without the responsibility of part-ownership and firm governance.

Recent Reports

In recent years, the median profit for partners in Scotland has increased. Factors such as reductions in staff, furlough payments, increased income, and employment in certain sectors have all led to increased profits for partners.

Currently, figures from The Financial Benchmarking Survey 2022 shows that the median net profit per equity partner (before deductions) in a law firm in Scotland stands at £102,097. When broken down, this means that equity partners in firms that are doing well have seen an increase of personal profits of £18,262 as of 2021.

Overall, this indicates that salaries for equity partners are on the rise.

Commercial Firms

Large commercial firms with offices nationwide and/or internationally bring in much larger revenues than smaller firms, given the extent of their reach and market share. Given this, it comes as no surprise that partners at these firms are among the top fee earners in Scotland.

It is estimated that partners at Pinsent Masons, Brodies, Burness Paull and Shepherd & Wedderburn earn upwards of £200,000 per year, with the highest paid partners making triple this amount.

Small firms

Gauging the salary range for local firms which have 1-2 offices is not quite as straightforward as factors such as practice areas, expertise and demand come into play.

However, it is estimated that the average partner may earn anywhere between £35,000-£80,000, but of course, this is not representative for all small law firms.

If you have intentions of one day becoming a partner at a small law firm, or opening your own practice, it would be beneficial to speak to current partners or firm-owners, to gain their first-hand insights.

Factors to consider

As we’ve now discovered, the salary of a partner in a Scottish law firm, like any other country, depends on a multitude of factors such as experience, sector area, the size of the firm, location and owning equity in the firm.

While becoming an equity partner in a large commercial firm often leads to a six-figure salary, partners in small firms can also earn impressive salaries.

Becoming a Lawyer in Scotland