A career change from law to recruitment: Ria Lakhani

A career change from law to recruitment: Ria Lakhani

posted 20 Aug 25

Henderson Scott Editorial Team

In this edition of our Consultant Career Story series, we feature Ria Lakhani, who transitioned from a career in law to one in legal recruitment. After six years in the legal sector, she decided it was time for a change and has since found a rewarding new path at Henderson Scott. 

Can you tell us about your background in law and what areas you worked in?

I spent six years in the legal sector, working my way up from paralegal to trainee solicitor. Most of my experience was in residential property and litigation, where I managed my own caseloads, handled transactions, and even attended court.  

Working across both transactional and contentious areas gave me a solid grounding in client care, negotiation, and working under pressure. 

What made you decide to leave law and consider a different career path?

The workload was relentless. At one stage, I was managing around 125 conveyancing matters at once, completing 12 a week. The pace left little room for balance, and the pressure was constant.  

One moment I’ll never forget was being in India for a religious event, standing in a temple trying to find signal on my phone so I could meet a court deadline. I ended up working through the entire holiday.  

Eventually, I realised that lifestyle wasn’t sustainable. I wanted a career where I could still use my skills, but in a healthier way that gave me room to grow and build lasting relationships. 

What initially attracted you to recruitment and how did you make the change?

I’d always been interested in communication and relationship-building, especially through my own social media consultancy and content creation work. Seeing my fiancé thrive in IT recruitment also opened my eyes to the impact strong engagement and negotiation can have. 

Unlike law, which is often purely transactional, recruitment is people focused. It gives me the chance to use my skills in a more dynamic way while building meaningful, long-term connections. 

Why did you choose Henderson Scott?

The training and development stood out straight away. From day one, it was clear how much Henderson Scott invests in its people, providing the tools, structure, and support to build long-term careers. That gave me the confidence that this was the right place to make the move. 

What skills from your legal career have been most useful in your role as a recruiter?

Managing large caseloads taught me how to stay organised and work well under pressure. Advocacy and client meetings strengthened my communication and negotiation skills. I also learned how to build trust quickly, handle sensitive information with discretion, and pay close attention to detail, all of which are crucial in recruitment. 

What does a typical day as a legal recruiter look like for you?

I like to split my day between business development and candidate engagement. Mornings are focused on speaking with firms, building relationships, and understanding their hiring needs. Afternoons are dedicated to candidates, whether that’s sourcing, headhunting, or screening to understand their motivations. 

I also prepare detailed candidate specs, ready to send out the following morning as part of my BD outreach. Having that structure ensures I’m creating opportunities while also moving candidates forward. 

What's been the best thing about moving into recruitment?

Definitely the mix of relationship-building and problem-solving. I love connecting with people, understanding what motivates them, and finding solutions that work for both candidates and clients. Every day is different, and it’s rewarding to know you’re making a tangible impact on someone’s career. 

What advice would you give to other industry professionals who are thinking of moving into recruitment?

Go in with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Recruitment is all about people, but your previous career will have given you transferable skills you can lean on, whether that’s attention to detail, negotiation, or client management. 

Be prepared for a fast-paced environment and stay resilient. It takes time to build trust, but the relationships you create are incredibly rewarding. 

Ria’s journey shows how transferable skills, and the right environment can open the door to a whole new career path. By stepping away from law and into recruitment, she’s found a role where her expertise and people skills can thrive. 

Interested in starting your own career story with Henderson Scott? Careers at Henderson Scott | Join our recruitment team | Henderson Scott 


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