Build vs Buy:
How Should Law Firms Grow a Practice Area and Where Should You Build Your Career?
LEGAL TALENT INSIGHTS
There are two ways to build exceptional legal teams: recruit proven talent or develop future leaders from within.The right strategy depends on your goals, your market, and your timeline.
Two Paths. One Strategic Decision.
Every growing practice reaches the same crossroads: Build exceptional lawyers over time, or buy exceptional lawyers today.
vs
Buying Talent
The Fastest Route to Market
For firms, lateral hiring is the quickest way to grow, bringing in a rainmaker can grant instant access to a book of business, potentially gaining a ranked team the moment they start. This is crucial when entering a new region; firms set up shop with purpose and a plan to tap into the booming practice areas that come with client proximity.
Firms don’t just pay for technical expertise; they buy relationships, market knowledge, and credibility that can’t be built overnight.
Why Firms Buy
The Risks of Buying
Technical excellence doesn't always guarantee cultural success.
Building Talent
The Long Game
Growing a practice area organically means investing in lawyers already inside the building, training associates and promoting from within.
It’s a slower path, but one that builds a pipeline of talent, strengthens culture, and creates long-term loyalty.
Slaughter and May
The Homegrown Model
The firm generally doesn’t elect anyone from outside the firm directly into partnership and has made only two lateral partner hires in its entire history.
A model built on unity, consistency, and decades of working together.
The Challenges of Building
For Candidates: Established or Emerging?
VS
It comes down to what you’re optimising for at this stage in your career.
Which Path Fits You?
Conclusion
For both firms and candidates, there’s no universal right answer.
Buying gets a practice area up and running quickly, bringing in proven talent and client relationships. Building takes longer, but creates deeper culture, loyalty, and long-term value.
What matters most is knowing what you’re optimising for and having the right information to make that call properly.
The right strategy isn’t about choosing between build or buy. It’s about choosing what’s right for you.
The Partner Brief Podcast
Listen to our latest episodes on talent, markets, and leadership in law.
Ready to Talk?
Whether you’re a firm looking to grow or a lawyer considering your next move, our team is here to help.