UK Legal Sector Braces for M&A Surge and AI Acceleration in 2026
As the legal industry looks ahead to 2026, expectations are building around continued consolidation, evolving talent dynamics, and the growing operational impact of artificial intelligence.
In a recent Law360 analysis, industry leaders point to sustained momentum in transatlantic law firm mergers, ongoing competition for senior talent in London, and a shift in how firms are beginning to integrate AI into legal service delivery. While generative AI has moved beyond experimentation, the focus is increasingly on practical use cases, pricing pressure, and how technology reshapes traditional law firm models.
Macrae’s Siobhán Lewington included in the discussion, with insights highlighting expectations for further transatlantic merger activity as firms pursue strategic growth and scale in response to client and market demands.
The article also explores how AI adoption, economic conditions, and evolving client expectations may influence partner hiring priorities across private capital, litigation, and infrastructure-related practices in the year ahead.
Please note: A subscription may be required to access the full article.