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Last week, all eyes were on A&O Shearman, a union hailing Big Law and its future. But in this week’s episode, we consider why so many solicitors are pursuing another future: opening their own firm.

A survey from Censuswide on behalf of Harbour Litigation Funding last year found that half of UK firm partners had ambitions to set up their own firm – up 10 per percent on 2021.

So as The Lawyer Awards draws nearer, with the prestigious awards litigation boutique and specialist firm of the year up for grabs, The Lawyer editor Catrin Griffiths and litigation editor Christian Smith are joined by senior reporter and boutiques-guru Annabel Tinson to discuss why so many lawyers are gagging to quit Big Law in the name of niche practice. And, more interestingly perhaps, why now?

For more on litigation boutiques, check out the stories below:

• The Lawyer Awards 2024: Shortlist revealed
• Pogust Goodhead: “We’ll make NQs millionaires”
• Seven chambers and 10 firms: Lawyers prepare for bumper $13.8bn Russia dispute