There is a rise in alternatives to partnership in the UK legal market. Colette Llewellyn takes a closer look at what it means to be 'of counsel'

In recent years, as part of a strategy to attract and retain the best lawyers, law firms have been developing more formalised career structures. These new structures offer clearer staging posts as lawyers progress through their careers either to partner, or in many law firms, to new roles which offer a genuine alternative to partnership. As part of this, the role of 'of counsel' has become increasingly common in the UK legal market.

At heart, the 'of counsel' position is designed to recognise and reward lawyers who make key contributions to law firms and are able to assume extra responsibilities and develop new skills of practice management traditionally reserved for partners. It is typically a rank above 'senior associate', and a notch below 'partner'. In some firms it is an alternative to partnership, in others it is a stepping stone to it. At Lovells, the role is used as both. Of 18 new partners promoted in May 2008, eight of these occupied the role of of counsel immediately prior to promotion; in 2007, this figure was seven out of 31 partner promotions.