In our Ask a Recruiter feature, our specialist recruitment team tackles key topics around attraction, recruitment and retention.
This month, Associate Director Paula Pawlowska, responds to the Head of People at a law firm that’s reviewing its employer value proposition (EVP) and wants to ensure it reflects what lawyers in today’s market are really looking for.
We’re currently reviewing our EVP and overall people offering, but we want to make sure it actually reflects what lawyers value most in a prospective employer. How can we get a clearer picture of what matters to legal professionals in today’s market?
That’s a great question—and one we’re hearing more and more often. With the legal talent market as competitive as it is, firms can’t afford to rely on assumptions when it comes to what lawyers want. Your EVP is the foundation of your attraction and retention strategy, so getting it right is crucial.
The best way to make sure your offering resonates? Start by understanding what lawyers are prioritising right now—and how those expectations are evolving.
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Use Market Insight to Inform Your EVP
Every year, we speak to hundreds of legal professionals across the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands and beyond. We ask them about everything from salary expectations and flexible working to leadership, culture and career goals.
This insight feeds into our Annual Report, which is designed specifically to help law firms benchmark and build a compelling, up-to-date EVP. The 2025 edition—launching this autumn—will include:
- The things that make lawyers join (and leave) law firms
- Insight into the state of the market
- Trends in pay, benefits and flexibility
It’s packed with the kind of practical, people-focused data that helps firms make informed decisions—and stand out in the market.
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Sense-Check Internally
Once you’ve got a view of the wider market, it’s worth checking how your current team feels about your EVP. Quick internal surveys or informal focus groups can help you understand what your employees value most and where you might be falling short.
Often, it’s not about overhauling your entire offering—it’s about fine-tuning the things that matter, like progression, recognition or day-to-day communication.
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Put Your EVP into Action
Once you’ve refreshed your EVP, don’t let it sit in a drawer. Bring it to life across your recruitment materials, onboarding process, and internal communications. Make sure it’s not just what you say about your firm—it’s what people experience when they join and grow with you.
Want to make sure your EVP is market-relevant and lawyer-approved?
Realm’s Annual Report 2025 launches this autumn and is full of insight to help you shape an offering that speaks to the lawyers you want to attract—and keep.
Get in touch to request your copy or email duane@realmrecruit.com to find out how we can help you turn market insight into meaningful change.
