Legal Business

Focal points – Law boutiques and the art of focus

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The recent rise of the high-end boutique has redefined the legal industry. We chart the last 12 months for the UK’s leading speciality shops

‘I’ve always thought the future of the disputes market would be prosperous for two camps: very big, full-service firms and boutiques,’ says Royal Dutch Shell general counsel (GC) for global litigation Richard Hill. ‘It’s the firms in the middle that will increasingly lose out. We use Norton Rose Fulbright, Clifford Chance or Baker & McKenzie but then we will also go to Quinn Emanuel for alternative pricing… they can be creative and are freer with their model. Boutiques have a bright future.’