Optimising Your Hiring Process to Attract and Retain Top Legal Talent

Hiring the right lawyers isn’t just about finding talent—it’s about ensuring your interview process, salary strategy, and candidate experience are working in your favour, not against you.

If your firm is struggling to scale, fill vacancies, or secure candidates, small adjustments to your approach can have a big impact.

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Is Your Interview Process Filtering Out the Right Candidates?

Many firms unknowingly eliminate strong candidates by focusing too much on subjective preferences rather than capability. If your interview process is rigid or drawn out, you risk losing great lawyers to firms that move faster.

  • Prioritise capability over perfection – Don’t overlook highly capable lawyers just because they don’t tick every box.
  • Act decisively – The best candidates won’t wait. If they meet your needs, move quickly.
  • Align hiring with growth goals – Your process should secure talent efficiently, not add unnecessary barriers.
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Why Your Salary Offer Needs to Be Strong from the Start

In today’s market, counteroffers are more common than ever, and most lawyers are passive candidates who won’t move unless there’s a compelling financial reason. A cautious salary offer gives your competition time to make a better one—or convinces the candidate to stay put.

  • Make a strong offer upfront – Lowballing only weakens your position and risks losing the candidate.
  • Frame your offer as final – Reduce drawn-out negotiations and uncertainty.
  • Think long-term – A slightly higher salary now is better than months of lost revenue from an unfilled role.
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Are You Selling Your Firm as Well as Assessing the Candidate?

Top legal talent isn’t just looking for another job—they want career progression, strong leadership, and an engaging work environment. If your interviews are one-sided, you may be losing great candidates simply because they don’t feel valued in the process.

  • Balance assessment with engagement – Candidates should leave an interview excited about the opportunity, not just tested on their skills.
  • Understand their ambitions – Ask about their career goals and show how your firm can support them.
  • Make the interview a two-way conversation – Help them see why your firm is the right place for them.

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