The second city’s long-established legal sector extends beyond heavy hitters such as Eversheds, Wragge & Co and Pinsent Curtis and embraces a very active middle-tier of firms fighting for business. Included in this tier are Shakespeares, Martineau Johnson, Gately Wareing and Lee Crowder.

While the big four firms might be looking to develop more national and international work, the middle ranks believe they can benefit from the big boys’ obsession with the world outside the Midlands.