The Non-Billable Podcast

Hogan Lovells might not be the first name that comes up in conversations about legal AI, but maybe it should. The firm quietly spun up ELTEMATE, a 100-person legal tech subsidiary, to build tools for clients that go beyond hype and deliver real efficiency gains. At the helm is Sebastian Lach, a Hogan Lovells partner who also leads ELTEMATE.

In this episode, Sebastian talks about how ELTEMATE started with just three people around a table in 2019 and has since scaled into a global team creating client-facing technology. Funded entirely in-house, it now builds everything from AI-driven investigation tools to domain-specific tools tailored to compliance and litigation.

We also dig into Sebastian’s views on legal AI more broadly. He’s sceptical about so-called “Swiss Army knife” platforms and argues that the real value lies in specialist, vertical tools trained on the right data and guided by lawyers who know what good looks like. “Lawyers don’t want 60% answers”, he argues. “They want a tool that gives them the right result at the push of a button.”

It’s a conversation about what happens when a Big Law firm takes tech seriously - balancing risk and innovation - and what clients are really asking for when they demand AI.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

00:50 Sebastian’s Background

02:07 Transitioning from Law to Legal Tech

04:00 Exploring White Collar Crime Law

07:25 The Birth of ELTEMATE

10:34 Funding and Business Model of ELTEMATE

11:39 ELTEMATE's Growth and Structure

13:12 ELTEMATE's Product Suite and Strategy

18:23 The Importance of Domain-Specific Solutions

20:48 Data as a Core Differentiator

24:28 The Future of Legal Tech and Client Needs

28:30 The Vision for ELTEMATE

31:16 Lessons Learned in Legal Tech Innovation

34:48 Concerns About AI in Legal Practice

35:51 Skills for the Future Lawyer

38:02 The Future of the Billable Hour

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

McDermott has just completed one of the biggest Big Law mergers in recent years, tying up with New York’s Schulte Roth & Zabel to create a $2.8 billion powerhouse sitting just outside the top 10 US firms by revenue. The deal was wrapped up in just three months - record speed by law firm standards - and is already producing results.

In this episode, we sit down with Aymen Mahmoud, McDermott’s London managing partner, to get the inside view on how the merger came together, why culture was as important as strategy, and what the combined platform means for clients on both sides of the Atlantic.

He explains why he calls it a “marriage of conviction” and why the firm is betting big on private capital as the driver of its next phase of growth.

We also dig into the London story: how Schulte’s top-tier funds practice changes McDermott’s position in the market, the firm’s plans for a new Mayfair office in 2028, and the ambition to be on every top client’s speed dial for private capital work.

Along the way, Aymen shares candid insights on talent, pay, and how McDermott is trying to do things differently - from matching New York comp in London to giving billable credit for mindfulness.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:15 The McDermott-Schulte Merger

07:07 Cultural Integration and Success Metrics

12:45 Strategic Growth in London

18:42 Talent Acquisition and Retention

24:40 Leadership and Personal Growth

30:43 Future Vision for McDermott

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Hill Dickinson made headlines earlier this year with one of the boldest law firm marketing moves in recent memory: a multi-million pound deal to put its name on Everton’s new stadium in Liverpool.

In this episode, Peter Jackson - the firm’s long-time managing partner and CEO - takes us inside the decision, what it means for brand recognition, and why giving back to the city was part of the rationale.

Over nearly two decades leading Hill Dickinson, Jackson steered the firm through both rapid growth and tough choices. He recalls the pivotal moment in 2016 when the insurance practice, once a cornerstone of the business, became a drag on profits - and how the bold decision to sell it to Keoghs reshaped the firm’s future. His mantra: be brave, and get your partners onside.

We also explore how Jackson approached culture and values, from rejecting lucrative lateral hires that didn’t fit, to hands-on leadership built around trust and constant communication. For him, sustainable growth always came back to three basics: people, clients and cash.

Finally, Jackson shares his take on the wider market: the rise of external capital in law, the challenges and opportunities it brings, and what he thinks firms often get wrong about private equity investment.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:30 Peter’s Background and Shipping Law

04:13 The World of Superyachts and Monaco Expansion

06:16 Hill Dickinson in the 1980s: From Liverpool Roots to London Growth

09:03 Leadership Challenges and the Keoghs Transaction

12:08 Strategy, Profitability and the Post-2016 Pivot

14:32 Culture and Values: Building a Cohesive Firm

16:09 The Changing Role of Managing Partner

19:06 Hands-On Leadership and Partner Communication

21:18 Talent, Lateral Hires and Protecting Culture

23:18 Defining Star Partners and Building Teams

25:28 The Everton Stadium Deal: Bold Marketing in Law

30:23 Brand Recognition, Recruitment and Giving Back to Liverpool

35:05 External Capital in Law: Opportunities and Risks

43:12 Leadership Lessons: People, Clients, Cash

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

What role do the Big Four really play in the legal market, and how different are they from traditional firms? In this episode, we sit down with Stuart Bedford, global head of legal at KPMG, to get a first-hand view of how one of the world’s largest professional services organisations is approaching the delivery of legal services.

Stuart reflects on his own career journey, qualifying at Linklaters, building one of the City’s leading corporate practices, and eventually stepping into leadership at KPMG. He explains how his experience across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions shaped his perspective on what clients truly need from their lawyers.

We dig into what sets KPMG Law apart - why they’re not chasing the mega M&A deals that grab headlines, but instead focusing on areas where law, technology, and multidisciplinary teams intersect. From entity management and post-merger integration, to regulatory compliance and legal managed services at scale, Stuart outlines a model that looks very different to Big Law.

Finally, Stuart discusses KPMG’s expansion into the US via an Arizona ABS licence, the firm’s Legal Reimagined programme, and the opportunities created by technology, data and global delivery. If you’ve ever wondered how a Big Four legal arm competes without playing the traditional law firm game, this conversation offers a look inside.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:15 Introduction & Stuart’s Early Career Path

03:18 Changing Specialisation in Law Firms

05:35 Why Stuart Moved to KPMG

08:32 Rethinking the Big Four’s Legal Offering

13:14 Post-Merger Integration & Entity Management

16:38 Technology, Data & Legal Reimagined

21:17 Delivering Managed Legal Services at Scale

25:39 Talent, Culture & Multidisciplinary Teams

29:18 Embedding Legal Within the Wider KPMG Business

31:40 Have the Big Four’s Legal Dreams Materialised?

33:31 US Expansion & the Arizona ABS Licence

38:02 Looking Ahead: The Future of KPMG Law

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Julian Taylor is senior partner at Simmons & Simmons and one of the City’s most highly regarded employment lawyers. He’s spent over 25 years at the firm and has had a front-row seat to the transformation of the legal profession. In this episode, he shares candid views on the forces reshaping the industry, from the rise of AI to the battle for the best talent.

Julian explains how Simmons is embedding AI into its work - from in-house tools like “Percy” to partnerships with legal tech providers - and why firms that fail to adapt could struggle to survive. He also talks about how AI is changing pricing models, client expectations, and the types of work law firms can take on.

Julian calls newly qualified lawyer pay in some parts of the market “crazy”, warns about the talent market distortions it creates, and explains why Simmons takes a different approach to competing for junior lawyers. He also reflects on the impact of US firms in London and how their intense profitability targets are reshaping the market.

We finish with a discussion on culture and flexibility - including the unique part-time arrangement Julian has maintained for nearly two decades - and why he believes adaptability and openness to change are now non-negotiable for any lawyer building a long-term career.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction

01:15 Julian’s Background and Career

03:21 Simmons' Financial Performance and Sector Focus

06:33 The Role of AI in Law

11:15 Pricing and Client Expectations in the Age of AI

15:10 Building vs. Buying Legal Tech Solutions

19:13 The Future of AI in the Legal Profession

24:58 Training the Next Generation of Lawyers

28:37 Attracting and Retaining Talent in a Changing Landscape

32:39 Flexible Work Arrangements and Work-Life Balance

37:45 ‘Crazy’ NQ Pay And The Impact of US Firms on the Legal Market

43:05 Looking Ahead: Goals for the Future

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Private equity and other forms of external capital are moving into the legal sector - a shift that is very likely to reshape law firm strategy. In this episode, we speak with Travis Lenkner, chief development officer at Burford Capital, the world’s largest provider of legal finance, about why investors are increasingly eyeing law firms and what that means for the market.

Travis shares his unique perspective, having worked as a litigator at Gibson Dunn, served as senior counsel at Boeing, co-founded litigation funder Gerchen Keller Capital (later acquired by Burford), and launched his own law firm before rejoining Burford in 2024.

Now focused on exploring potential equity investments in law firms, Travis explains the forces driving investor interest - from the UK’s long-standing ABS regime to growing recognition of law as a professional services market ripe for consolidation and technology-led transformation.

We discuss the different ends of the market attracting attention, from private equity-backed regional roll-ups to strategic growth capital for top-tier global firms. Travis explains why Burford prefers minority stakes, the kinds of structures that make sense for law firms wary of losing control, and how outside capital can fund strategic hires, technology investment and geographic expansion. He also tackles the challenges of the traditional partnership model and the cultural shifts required to align incentives with long-term growth.

Finally, Travis offers insights on the evolving US market - where regulatory constraints mean law firm investment often looks different - and why he expects both markets to develop rapidly in the next five years.

Chapters

00:45 Introduction to Travis And Career Journey

02:31 Understanding Burford Capital's Role in Legal Finance

04:50 The Financial Model Behind Litigation Funding

05:46 The Rise of External Capital in Law Firms

06:12 Investment Strategies for Law Firms

09:13 The Future of Law Firms in a Competitive Market

13:46 The Evolving Landscape of Law Firm Investments

17:28 Navigating Risks in Law Firm Dynamics

19:20 Understanding Investor Exit Strategies

24:14 Burford's Unique Position in Legal Investments

25:26 Targeting Growth in Boutique Law Firms

29:35 The Future of the US Legal Market

34:24 Burford's Portfolio in Five Years

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Ross McNairn is the founder and CEO of Wordsmith, one of the fastest-growing legal AI startups in Europe. In this episode, Ross shares how Wordsmith is rethinking the in-house legal function - not just with automation, but with a new model for how legal teams can triage and respond to the rest of the business using AI agents.

We talk through the challenges of in-house legal teams, why Wordsmith is laser-focused on corporate legal rather than law firms, and how AI assistants are shifting legal from being perceived as a blocker to a true business enabler. Ross also explains how their customers - including companies like Trustpilot - are using the platform to improve responsiveness and efficiency across functions.

Ross opens up about raising $25 million from Index Ventures, how Wordsmith became the fastest Scottish company to hit a $100 million valuation, and why they’ve been disciplined about staying lean, product-led, and focused on usage over hype. He also shares his thoughts on legal AI funding trends, the law firm vs in-house tech split, and the future of generalist vs vertical solutions in the space.

Whether you’re a GC thinking about legal AI adoption, a lawyer eyeing a career move into tech, or just curious about how legal is changing from the inside, this is a conversation with a founder building at the forefront of the industry.

Chapters

00:45 From Law to Software

00:53 The Role of AI in Legal Workflows

02:11 Introducing Wordsmith

05:08 AI Agents: Enhancing Legal Productivity

08:08 Customer Success Stories: Real-World Impact of Wordsmith

10:57 Sales Strategy: Building Trust in Legal Tech

13:55 Funding and Future Plans: Scaling Wordsmith

16:30 Building a Lean Company

17:27 Hiring for Legal Intelligence

19:06 Motivations For People Joining Wordsmith

20:50 Competitors in the Legal Tech Space

21:17 Wordsmith's Suite of Tools

22:16 Future of Legal Tech Solutions

23:38 Impact of Recent Partnerships in Legal Tech

26:02 Data Needs for In-House Legal Teams

28:00 Investment Boom in Legal Tech

29:27 Wordsmith's Strategy for Success

32:31 Trends in Legal Tech

33:25 Hiring Challenges at Wordsmith

34:01 Vision for Wordsmith in 2030

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we’re joined by Adil Taha, a former investment banker, private equity executive and one of the most experienced PE figures operating in the UK legal sector today.

Adil has led or been involved in multiple private equity transactions across professional services, including the turnaround of several law firms and the recent high-profile rescue of Rosenblatt out of failing listed group RBG Holdings.

We dive into the mechanics of private equity in law - how deals are structured, what PE firms are really looking for, and why so many are focused on buy-and-build strategies in the regional market. Adil gives a candid assessment of what’s working, what isn’t, and why we’ve yet to see a successful PE exit in UK legal.

He also unpacks the challenges of law firm listings, the hidden risks of the full-service model, and why relationship-driven businesses don’t always fit neatly into financial engineering. Finally, we talk about the opportunity Adil sees at the top end of the market: building a lean, high-performance boutique from scratch. For investors, firm leaders, and ambitious lawyers alike, this is an inside look at how private capital is reshaping the business of law.

Chapters

00:45 Adil’s Background and First Law Firm Rescue

02:15 The Rosenblatt Rescue

03:51 The Rise of PE in Legal Post-COVID

06:27 Where PE is Investing Today

09:09 Exit Challenges and Lack of Trade Sales

11:45 Why Law Firm IPOs Don’t Work

14:39 The Culture Clash Between Law and Public Markets

16:08 Trade Sales vs PE: Who’s Buying?

19:03 Why MBOs May Be the Only Exit Path

21:21 Could PE Ever Buy a Top 30 Firm?

23:09 Lessons from DWF and Who’s Vulnerable

25:39 Exit Options for Larger Firms

27:39 How PE Transactions Work in Practice

30:39 How Deals Are Structured: Day One, Rollovers, Earn-Outs

34:45 The Case for Building a Super Boutique from Scratch

37:57 The Super Boutique Vision and Timing

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we’re joined by Ed Parker, managing director at Fides Search and one of the most trusted headhunters in the City legal market.

With nearly two decades of experience advising on partner and team moves, Ed brings a nuanced, data-driven perspective on how top firms are growing, and what that means for lawyers navigating their careers.

We explore the structural shifts happening across the partner talent market, from the aggressive expansion of US firms in London to the growing importance of team moves and due diligence in lateral hiring. Ed explains why some firms are placing massive bets on high-performing partners, how they price those hires, and what really determines whether a client book will travel.

For ambitious associates, this episode is packed with insight. Ed shares honest advice on timing your move, the risks of chasing quick promotions, and how to position yourself for long-term success - whether that’s through internal promotion or switching platforms. He also unpacks the rise of non-equity partnerships and what clients really care about when it comes to partner titles.

Finally, we touch on where the market is headed in the second half the year, from fast-moving jurisdictions like Saudi and Luxembourg to the enduring pull of London as a legal hub. If you're interested in the economics, strategy, and personal dynamics behind law firm hiring, this is one not to miss.

Chapters

00:45 Introduction & About Fides Search

03:45 What Headhunting Actually Involves

07:15 Building a Practice from Scratch

10:15 The State of the Partner Market in 2025

14:15 UK Firms: Adapting or Falling Behind?

17:30 Team Moves vs. Individual Lateral Hires

21:15 The Economics of Big Hires

25:45 Is This an Existential Threat to UK Firms?

30:15 The Rise of Non-Equity Partners

35:15 Advice for Ambitious Associates

43:45 Market Outlook for H2 2025

47:45 Connect with Ed & Fides Search

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

In this episode, we sit down with Richard East, the founding partner of Quinn Emanuel’s London office - the litigation powerhouse that has gone from a 2008 startup to one of the UK’s most profitable disputes firms, with revenues topping £220 million last year. Richard shares how he built the practice from scratch during the height of the financial crisis.

We discuss Quinn Emanuel’s distinctive model: no corporate teams, no panels, no conflicts - and no apologies about taking on the banks. Richard explains why that singular focus has been so powerful, and how the firm’s “door-to-door” approach to marketing - cold-calling and in-person meetings - helped them land early clients that fuelled their growth.

Richard also opens up about recruiting and compensation, including why Quinn refuses to follow the Cravath scale, why they pay comfortably above Magic Circle firms, and why entrepreneurial mindset is non-negotiable for new partners. He describes a culture that rewards independence and drive - and expects associates to own cases, not just take instructions.

We wrap up with Richard’s thoughts on competition, the evolution of the Magic Circle, and what comes next. He shares why he sees massive potential in using AI to stay ahead, why he isn’t afraid of giant mergers, and why after 17 years he still feels like there’s much more to build.

Chapters

00:40 Launching Quinn Emanuel London in 2008

04:00 Building a Litigation-Only Practice from Scratch

07:20 Marketing that Actually Works: Cold-Calling and Door-to-Door Meetings

11:00 Winning Early Clients During the Financial Crisis

14:40 How the Firm Thinks About Talent and Compensation

20:00 Culture, Independence, and Entrepreneurial DNA

24:30 Perspectives on the Magic Circle and Big Law Competitors

29:30 The Role of AI and the Future of Litigation

33:40 Leadership Lessons from 17 Years at the Helm

36:30 Ambition for the Next Chapter

About Non-Billable

Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk