Build the practice you’ve always wanted
gunnercooke was built by partners, for partners. Our model gives you the platform to build, grow and own a practice — on your terms, with infrastructure that works for you.
“I was unshackled from the traditional model and given a platform to build exactly the practice I had always envisaged. The referral network brought in work from week one.“
Simon Etchells · Corporate Partner, gunnercooke Scotland
600+
Partners
16
Global Offices
2010
Founded
90%
Fee retention
What you earn should
reflect what you deliver.
At most firms, partners retain a fraction of what they generate. At gunnercooke our structure is built around one principle: your success is yours.
Once you pass £550k, you keep 90% of everything above that threshold.
- Up to £375,00070%
- £375,000 – £550,00075%
- Above £550,00090%
A firm designed around the partners who lead it
In 2010, we set out to create something that didn't yet exist: a firm where established partners could practice with genuine autonomy — supported by world-class infrastructure, surrounded by exceptional peers, and rewarded fairly for what they generate.
The model has attracted more than 600 partners across 16 offices and 126 jurisdictions. They come from the full spectrum of private practice — Magic Circle, US firms, boutiques and in-house — and they share one thing: a belief that there is a better way to lead a legal practice.
Whether you are building a niche, growing a team, or simply looking for a platform that reflects the quality of your work, the conversation starts here.
Complete control over your practice
Set your own strategy, your own targets and your own ways of working. No committee decisions, no billable-hour mandates — just the freedom to lead as you see fit.
Remuneration that rewards your success
Keep up to 90% of your billings. Our structure is designed so that growth in your practice directly translates into growth in your earnings — with no ceiling.
A network built on shared success
Cross-referrals, joint pitches and shared expertise are baked into how we work. Our annual Symposium brings all 600+ partners together to strengthen what we are building collectively.
What you earn should reflect what you deliver
At most firms, partners retain a fraction of what they generate. At gunnercooke, our structure is built around one principle: your success is yours.
Complete control over your practice
Set your own strategy, your own targets and your own ways of working. No committee decisions, no billable-hour mandates — just the freedom to lead as you see fit.
Remuneration that rewards your success
Keep up to 80% of your billings. Our structure is designed so that growth in your practice directly translates into growth in your earnings — with no ceiling.
A network built on shared success
Cross-referrals, joint pitches and shared expertise are baked into how we work. Our annual Symposium brings all 600+ partners together to strengthen what we are building collectively.
Speak to us In confidence
Tell us what you’re building, what you want to protect, and where you want to go next. We’ll share how the model works in practice — clearly and candidly.
Partner who made the move
The Symposium gave me a real sense of what makes our culture genuinely different. 600 lawyers in one room — and every single one of them wants each other to succeed.
Lisa Poole Commercial Property Partner · Joined 2023
Cross-selling is baked into the model. I walked into a ready-made referral network from day one — it's unlike anything I experienced at a traditional firm.
Simon Etchells Corporate Partner · gunnercooke Scotland
I joined at a career crossroads and let ambition guide me. What I found was not just a better commercial arrangement — it was a community of exceptional people who actively want each other to succeed.
gunnercooke partner Commercial Property Partner · Joined 2023
Compliance
Full SRA compliance support, risk management, and regulatory guidance so you can practice with confidence and without distraction.
Finance
Billing, invoicing, cash collection and financial reporting handled centrally — giving you a clear picture of your practice finances at all times.
IT support
Enterprise-grade technology, cloud infrastructure and an IT support team that keeps you operational — wherever you're working from.
Marketing Support
A dedicated marketing team, events programme and business development coaches to help you reach your growth goals and build your profile..
Talent & Recruitment
Support for building and growing your own team — from internal introductions to external recruitment, handled by our in-house talent team.
Office & Partner Services
London and Manchester office space, meeting facilities and partner services that make you look and feel like the senior professional you are.
A straightforward path to joining
We do not run an opaque or lengthy process. We understand that you have a practice to run — and that a conversation about your future should be treated with discretion and respect.
A confidential conversation
You speak directly with a senior member of our team — not a recruiter. We learn about your practice, your ambitions and what matters most to you. There is no commitment at this stage.
Understanding the model
We walk you through how gunnercooke works in practice — the fee structure, the support infrastructure, the culture and what day-to-day partner life actually looks like here.
Meeting your peers
Where it feels right, we will introduce you to colleagues in your practice area so you can hear directly from partners who have made the same move. The community speaks for itself.
Designing your practice
Once you decide to join, we work with you to design how your practice will operate — your targets, your team structure, your ways of working. This is the beginning, not the end, of the conversation.
The first step is a conversation
Whether you are actively exploring your options or simply curious about what might be possible, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
There is no hard sell, no pressure and no obligation.
Just an honest conversation between peers.
- Your enquiry is completely confidential. We never share details without your permission.
- Speak directly with a senior member of our talent team — not a recruiter.
- We welcome enquiries from individuals, small teams, and groups of partners.
- We typically respond within one working day.
How well does the model match what you want next?
Ten quick questions to explore alignment across autonomy, enablement, brand & authority, collaboration, and purpose & values.
There are no right answers. This is designed to support an initial conversation — it doesn’t make a hiring decision.
- Autonomy2 questions
- Enablement2 questions
- Brand & authority2 questions
- Collaboration2 questions
- Purpose & values2 questions