Mishcon de Reya has abandoned plans to tighten its partnership agreement after partners objected to provisions that would make it harder for senior lawyers to leave. The firm circulated dozens of changes this month, including a rule that would block a partner from resigning if more than 20 per cent of partners in their practice area had recently departed.

Following pushback in meetings this week, the firm is no longer pursuing those restrictions, though it is still considering limits on departing partners taking junior staff with them. The review was prompted after management found it could not stop a partner who left last year from poaching associates.

The move reflects a broader trend among top City firms as US firms expand aggressively in London, driving a record number of partner moves in 2025. Kirkland & Ellis overhauled its exit rules two years ago, and Freshfields has been enforcing its six‑month notice period more strictly. Mishcon retains a 12‑month notice for senior equity partners, which remains unchanged.