As a law firm, your reputation in the market is not just based on your roster of high-profile clients and landmark cases, but on how you are perceived as an employer. Hiring and retaining top legal talent is crucial to your success, and with only a small percentage of lawyers actively seeking new opportunities, a strong employer brand has never been more important.
In this blog, we’ll explain why prioritising employer branding should be at the top of your to-do list if you want to attract the lawyers and legal support professionals who will be key to your continued success.
What is employer branding?
Employer branding is your firm’s identity as an employer and communicates what you have to offer in terms of culture, compensation, benefits, and professional growth opportunities. It’s a strategic narrative that communicates your unique values and what it’s like to be part of your firm. By defining a compelling Employer Value Proposition (EVP), you can set yourself apart from competitors and attract the top talent you need to succeed.
Only 10% of lawyers are actively seeking a move to another firm, making the available talent pool seem shallow. This scarcity of active job seekers makes the recruitment landscape a battleground. An effective employer brand can give you the edge when it comes to attracting those prized professionals who can afford to be choosy about their career trajectories.
At its core, your EVP should communicate what makes your firm an exceptional place to work. Whether it’s cutting-edge cases, the opportunity to engage with pressing legal issues, or a commitment to mentorship and professional development, it’s important that your EVP is clear and authentic to your firm.
Once you’ve defined your EVP, it must be communicated effectively to hit the mark. Prospective hires should not only understand what your firm stands for but want to be a part of it. Through effective employer branding, your EVP should be consistent on your website, your social media channels and in your conversations with your recruitment partner or indeed, with candidates.
Marketing an employer brand as a law firm goes beyond the message; it’s about ensuring that the experience within the firm aligns with the image portrayed to the outside world. Cultivating an environment where values are lived and breathed by every employee solidifies the brand from the inside out.
In a legal marketplace teeming with firms vying for the best brains in the business, having a strong employer brand is a must-have, not just a nice-to-have. It’s a vital piece of any law firm’s strategy to be known not just for the quality of its legal work but also as the premier place where talented lawyers thrive.
By clearly defining what makes your firm an exceptional employer and broadcasting its strengths loudly and clearly, you’ll be better positioned to attract, recruit and retain the best talent and ensure that your law firm thrives.
Want to learn more?
If you found these insights into employer branding for law firms beneficial and are ready to revamp your strategy for attracting legal talent, the team at Realm Recruit can help you.
We can help you assess what makes your firm truly unique and develop an Employer Value Proposition that is extremely attractive to the right legal professionals in the talent market.
We then advise you on how to use your EVP to market your firm and attract talent, and can even review your employer brand materials, such as your website, employee brochures and vacancy adverts, to ensure everything is being communicated well and consistently to your next great hires. Get in touch with us via our website or email info@realmrecruit.com to find out more.
