In recent years, a growing number of seasoned equity Partners have stepped away from BigLaw to launch their own specialist firms. Why? The answer lies in a powerful set of pull factors: autonomy, compensation, freedom from bureaucracy, and the desire to create something enduring.
These trailblazers aren’t simply leaving; they’re building. They’re crafting firms that reflect their values, their vision, and their ambition. Here’s what drove them to launch their own firm.
Take on the work you want to
For many founders, the opportunity to create a firm with their specialism at its heart is irresistible. Leading Arbitration firm, Three Crowns, was launched in 2014 and in April 2025 was ranked second in the world for international arbitration in the annual GAR30 rankings, their highest ranking to date. Constantine Partasides QC, co-founder of Three Crowns, explains:
“The upside in the specialist firm model is that every decision we make, from hiring, to mandate selection, to promotions, to training of our people is dedicated to one thing only, and that is representation in international arbitrations. We made a judgment in 2014 that repeat users of arbitration services increasingly will see this is a specialism, and they will look for specialist knowledge and specialist support. It seems that that judgment has been vindicated.”
Jan Paulsson, also of Three Crowns, echoes this sentiment:
“We created 3C in the belief that international disputes call for specialist, focused advice and advocacy. Our new business structure avoids issues inherent to larger firms and brings highly experienced, well-respected names to the specialised field of international arbitration.”
For these founders, the freedom to focus on what they do best was a decisive factor.
Deliver the way you want to deliver
Breaking free from bureaucracy and prioritising the client’s needs is another major motivator. Band 1 disputes firm Pallas Partners recently debuted as the highest ranked new entrant in the UK200, placing 116th with revenue of £36.3m just three years after opening its doors. Natasha Harrison, founder of Pallas Partners, describes the exhilaration of starting fresh:
“Starting from scratch means that you’re not shackled to hundreds of years of practice and bureaucracy and that’s very invigorating and exciting. The founding of Pallas represents an opportunity to ‘rip up the rule book’ and challenge the status quo of what a modern law firm should be. I can set the culture and values for the firm and look at ways we can improve the client experience, for instance creating optionality around how they want to be charged.”
Her words capture a common theme: autonomy isn’t just about the work, it’s about how that work is delivered. From pricing models to client engagement, founders of specialist firms relish the chance to innovate.
Something to truly be passionate about
Launching a firm isn’t just a career move; it’s a creative act. Mantle Law was launched in 2020 and has already grown to 20 fee earners across two offices and won UAE Specialist Firm of the Year at Chambers Middle East Awards in 2025. Mat Heywood, founder of Mantle Law, reflects on the joy of building:
“Brand building is fun. Larger firms have established brands which evolve or are tweaked over time. Starting a new law firm gives us the opportunity to establish and directly shape our own brand. This is a real privilege. The growing recognition and reputation as lawyers in our core sectors through an association with our name, logo or style is truly rewarding. Mantle is now a recognised brand in various markets including our home office jurisdictions of London and the UAE and is spoken about in the same breath as some of the leading law firm brands. For each of us at Mantle, we should be incredibly proud to be creating a legacy by being part of something new, growing and challenging.”
For Heywood, the journey has been as much about personal growth as professional success:
“You grow more than your firm. I am now part lawyer, part businessman, part entrepreneur and fully a jack-of-all-trades. A key lesson has been to be bold and embrace the unknown, as it is in the unknown that opportunities exist.”
Specialist firms often promise a more open and rewarding culture. Northridge was founded in 2017, is Band 1 accredited, and is home to Europe’s largest sports practice. As Jonathan Ellis, one of the firm’s founding Partners puts it simply:
“We are committed to repaying the confidence that the team has shown in us by operating an inclusive management structure and by having each member of the team share in the success of the firm.”
The bigger picture: A movement, not a moment
Launching a specialist firm isn’t just about individual ambition – it’s about a broader shift in the legal landscape. From recent specialist firms like Garfield Law, which opened with AI at the heart of its operations from the outset, to potential founders considering how external capital can support them with a launch that truly matches their vision and ambition, the trend is clear: the future of law will increasingly be shaped by those willing to challenge convention.
For these founders, autonomy isn’t a perk – it’s the foundation of something enduring. They’ve traded BigLaw for the thrill of building, and in doing so, they’ve created firms that reflect not just what they do, but who they are.
