The Legal Cheek View
From major corporate deals to representing high-profile footballers’ wives, Brabners handles a diverse range of often headline-grabbing work, resulting in impressive financial results and happy junior lawyers. Starting with humble Liverpudlian beginnings in 1815, the firm has now expanded to include three more offices in Manchester, Leeds and Preston and has grown to more than 550 colleagues. Although the majority of this growth has been organic, Brabners has recently been on the hunt for high-profile acquisitions, acquiring HRC Law in Manchester and poaching a number of external partners from big names such as Shoosmiths and BCLP to bolster its successful IP, private client, and real estate teams.
And headcount isn’t all that’s growing at Brabners. Revenue at the northwest outfit has increased by 40% over the last three years as the firm has followed a strategy of “purpose-led growth and value-driven efficiency”. Recent financial results show that the Brabners’ revenue jumped 15% over the past year, reaching £53.9 million. This is the first year that turnover has surpassed the £50 million mark — a significant milestone for this ambitious firm. Meanwhile, profits increased by 16% to £18.2 million. This sum was shared out among the firm’s 85 partners, with the highest paid lawyer pocketing almost half a million pounds.
As for practice areas, Brabners offers a full-service package — family and matrimonial, agriculture, corporate, M&A, crime, social housing, tax, sport, litigation, IP and real estate to name a few. With such a wide variety of work going on, it’s a good job the training is more than up to scratch. Rookies rave about the supportive environment at Brabners, speaking of a constructive dialogue where feedback flows in both directions. One rookie reports: “at every performance review I have had, I have been asked whether my training needs are being met and whether there is anything else I need.” Juniors in need of extra guidance can ask for additional training which is delivered “to an exceptionally high standard.”
In terms of the jobs doled out to trainees, one happy rookie reported a “perfect balance” between tasks within their comfort zone and more challenging work. Insiders do caution, however, that there can be “quiet” periods in seats where “it has felt as if I wasn’t developing”, although the firm is supportive of juniors during such periods. Across the board, the firm has earned a well-deserved reputation for being “nice”. And morale within the cohorts of juniors is strong. One fledgling lawyer told us, “I have been consistently built up by my peers, which is essential as an NQ.”
What’s more, much like a green figure from outer space, new recruits seem to find the term “superior” completely alien. There is “no obvious hierarchy” states one, explaining that all colleagues “take a genuine interest in you as a person”. Managing partner Nik White is said to be “incredibly supportive and down to earth”, and “the friendliness and approachability that he displays sets a culture for all the other leaders and managers in the firm”. High praise for the man who has been re-elected for a third three-year term in the top spot.
Another insider gushes: “Nothing is ever too much to ask. Open desk policy makes everyone approachable and all partners are very grounded”. This flexible seating arrangement sees trainees “often sat next to heads of teams” — a boon for their career development. Given the high-quality training and support from top to bottom, we’re hardly surprised that so many Legal Cheek Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey 2025-2026 respondents gave the firm top marks for training, peer support, and partner approachability.
To complement the exceptional culture and training comes a high quality of work and host of high-profile clients. Juniors praise the broad range of work on offer, and the opportunities to take responsibility early on, building the skills necessary to take charge of the headline cases down the line. One Brabners rookie boasts of “often attending court with clients” — something not all trainees can say they’ve experienced.
The firm’s work has grabbed its fair share of legal headlines. Those not living under a rock will be familiar with the phenomenon of ‘Wagatha Christie’. The libel saga was fought successfully, by Brabners, on behalf of Coleen Rooney — and the firm even launched a podcast about the case! Another libel adventure featuring England Cricket captain Ben Stokes was also successfully settled by Brabners. It’s not all defamation here, however, with the firm also getting involved in significant commercial and sports ventures, such as the development of Everton FC’s new stadium and advising Oldham Council on a £550 million regeneration project. Brabners’ litigation team represented the Commonwealth Games Federation in its successful nine-figure claim against the Australian government after its withdrawal from hosting the 2026 Games. In the corporate space, the firm worked with another famous face as they advised on the purchase of Lord Sugar’s stake in a multi-million-pound tech recruitment agency.
What more could you want as a budding solicitor in the northwest? Well, how about a solid work-life balance? The average rookie clocks into the office between 8:30 — 9am and is typically out the door before 6pm. One rookie describes their work-life balance as “excellent”, citing Brabners’ flexibility when it comes to hybrid working. “I don’t go home dreading my work load for the next day”, said one insider — we have a feeling very few City juniors could say the same!
“There is a real emphasis on not working long hours and prioritising health,” said one rookie. Brabners offers flexible bank holidays, wellbeing days and an enhanced maternity policy which juniors point to to show that the firm “cares about its staff”. This friendly, lower-pressure environment leads many juniors to cultivate a genuine enthusiasm for their work, with one keen bean telling us, “I love being in the office!”
There is, however, a sacrifice to be made for this otherwise idyllic life – the salary. Trainees will make £29,000 in their first year, moving up to £31,000 in their second year. Whilst this increases to £53k for the newly qualified (NQ), the numbers — like the lifestyle — remain a world apart from the City. These figures are, however, in line with other regional firms of a similar size.
Moving to perks, there are certainly no complaints from the Brabners’ bunch. In line with its community and charity orientated approach, the firm offers two volunteering days a year to be used towards any charitable cause; a move that juniors say works in supporting their mental health and wellbeing. This is in addition to lunchtime yoga/Pilates sessions, sports teams, running clubs, numerous discount schemes as well as the more typical private health care provisions. A “great social life within departments and office-wide” adds to the friendly feel of this happy ship as the Brabners monthly calendar is reportedly sprinkled with dinners, balls, sports tournaments, employee conferences (which we are assured revolve around celebrating work rather than doing it), as well as informal drinks gatherings. These events are “always good fun” one insider told us, and have “made it very easy to make friends and socialise with colleagues.”
All this doesn’t even account for the offices themselves. The firm’s Liverpool HQ, situated in the impressive grade II-listed Exchange Flags building, is fresh from a major refurb which has seen swish interiors fitted throughout. Brabners’ Manchester, Leeds and Preston spaces have also been recently relocated or expanded. There are also murmurs of puppy therapy and ice cream trucks being brought in, which likely balances out the lack of an office canteen (apart from a “nice” communal space for teas and coffees).
For those who can drag themselves away from the offices, working from home provisions aren’t bad either. The firm provides chairs, desks, and everything else required for a comfortable and productive hybrid life. In terms of legal tech, one junior lawyer feels Brabners is “streets ahead” of other firms they have worked for, telling us, “the integrated use of AI platforms such as co-pilot and co-counsel make a huge difference to fee earners’ lives on a daily basis.” Some of the more basic tech provisions were scored lower by trainees, however, with reports of fussy laptops and an “infuriating” iManage system.
Brabners has continued to maintain its B-Corp status — one of very few law firms to have done so. B-Corp status is awarded to companies which demonstrate a high-level or environmental and social responsibility. The firm’s charitable and social endeavours and its ambitious sustainability goals have secured it this certification. Notable Brabners do-gooding includes the Maurice Watkins bursary, which supports disadvantaged individuals pursuing legal careers, and the Brabners foundation, which has supported nearly 70 charities and donated over £180k to local and national causes. The firm also recently launched its ‘True North’ network as part of its commitment to encourage purpose-driven growth in the region and boost prosperity.