In our Ask a Recruiter feature, our specialist recruitment team tackles key topics around attraction, recruitment and retention.
This month, Associate Consultant Bill Szajna-Hopgood shares his advice with a law firm looking to hit the ground running in January. With big goals for 2026, they want to make sure they’re well-prepared to attract and retain the right legal talent from the very start of the year.
“We’ve set some ambitious recruitment and retention goals for 2026 and want to get ahead early in the year.
What can we do in January to make sure we start strong and build momentum on the hiring front?”
January is always a busy time in the legal jobs market. Lots of lawyers start the year reassessing their career goals and thinking seriously about making a move. At the same time, law firms are often re-setting budgets and looking at team structures with fresh eyes.
It’s a window of opportunity – but also a competitive one. If you want to meet your hiring goals for 2026, the work starts now. Here’s how to get ahead and build a strong foundation for the year ahead:
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Pick Up the Pace Early
The firms that get results in Q1 are usually the ones that start the year ready to go, not still planning or waiting for internal approvals.
Make sure key decision-makers are aligned, job descriptions are up to date, and your interview process is ready to roll. Lawyers who start looking in January often want to move quickly, if you’re slow to respond, someone else will step in.
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Revisit Your Employer Value Proposition (EVP)
What makes your firm the right place to work this year? Are you offering the flexibility, culture, and progression lawyers are now prioritising?
A strong EVP will help you stand out in a crowded market—but only if it’s current and clearly communicated. Make sure your careers page, job adverts, and recruiter briefings reflect what you really offer, and what today’s candidates actually care about.
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Focus on Retention from Day One
It’s not just about hiring – it’s about keeping the people you already have. January is a natural time for reflection, and if you haven’t checked in with your team lately, now’s the time.
Stay interviews, refreshed development plans, and early career conversations can help keep people engaged and prevent unnecessary attrition in Q1.
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Get Ahead with Pipeline Planning
If you know you’ll need to make multiple hires across the year, don’t wait until roles become urgent.
Work with your recruitment partner to map out where you’ll need talent and when. We can help you build a proactive hiring strategy, so you’re not caught off guard or relying on reactive recruitment to plug gaps.
Ready to make 2026 your strongest year yet?
At Realm, we help law firms plan, prepare and execute successful hiring strategies that align with business goals and support long-term growth.
Get in touch with Bill or your Realm consultant to chat about your priorities for the year ahead, and how we can help you achieve them.
