Concerns For Public Sector Law As Pay Gap With Private Practice Widens

7th May 2025 | Paul Marmor | International, International Bar Association, Global Network

The widening salary gap between public sector lawyers and their counterparts in private practice is increasingly raising concerns within the legal community, as discussed in a recent article published by the International Bar Association (IBA). Sherrards’ Head of Litigation and International Services, Paul Marmor, provided expert commentary on this pressing issue, alongside leading industry figures.

Paul Marmor, who also serves as co-chair of the IBA’s Law Firm Management committee, was interviewd by journalist Margaret Taylor highlighting the challenges facing public sector legal recruitment and retention. Also contributing valuable insights were David Patient, Senior Advisor at Travers Smith in London; Carl Gardner, barrister and former government lawyer; and Paul McConnell, Director of Careers at the University of Birmingham Law School.

The growing disparity in compensation, with private sector law firms offering significantly higher salaries—often double or triple those found in the public sector—is making it increasingly challenging for government and public bodies to attract and retain high-quality legal talent. This salary discrepancy, coupled with demanding workloads and resource constraints, poses risks to the overall effectiveness and quality of public legal services.

Paul Marmor emphasised the critical importance of addressing this imbalance, suggesting strategic approaches and highlighting best practices to ensure the public sector remains attractive and competitive for talented legal professionals. He further noted the impact this widening gap could have on justice delivery, policy-making, and overall governance.

The article can be found here.

The IBA’s Law Firm Management Committee actively works as a global forum toexchange of best practices in law practice leadership and management, welcoming professionals from large global practices to mid-tier and specialist firms. We are providing a platform for the IBA and its members to help shape and influence the future of law firm management.

Through our membership and very serious involvement in organisations such as the International Bar Association (www.int-bar.org) and Alliott Global Alliance (www.alliottglobal.com), we have the world covered, in terms of our access to law firms and professionals at the highest level across the globe, at the drop of a hat.

For more information on our international offering, speak to our head of international, Paul Marmor, on +44 (0)20 7478 9010 or pdm@sherrards.com, or Tessa Herring, on +44 (0)20 7478 9010 or tlh@sherrards.com.