Mid-year hiring landscape
Legal recruitment in 2025 has stayed firmly candidate-led. Over the first half of the year, London firms focused on strategic, ROI-driven hires, while regional practices contended with acute talent shortages and growing competition.
Key insights:
- Strategic demand in key practice areas: Corporate, Finance, Regulatory, and ESG hiring focused on experienced, mid–senior talent.
- Counteroffers and competition: Regional markets saw multiple offers and frequent counteroffers complicating hiring decisions.
- Flexibility as standard: Hybrid working cemented itself as a baseline expectation across all levels and regions
Top employer challenges
- Talent shortages: Intense competition, especially for mid–senior lawyers in regional markets.
- Counteroffers and churn: Multiple offers and retention tactics complicate securing hires.
- Balancing cost and ROI: Hiring selectively while meeting demand in growth areas like ESG and Regulatory.
Top candidate expectations
- Genuine flexibility: Hybrid working seen as essential, not optional.
- Clear progression routes: Transparency on promotion paths and partnership opportunities.
- Cultural fit: Decisions driven by firm values, supportive environments, and meaningful work.
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