Legal recruitment right now can feel a bit like trying to put together flat-pack furniture without the instructions. All the pieces are there – talented lawyers, growing firms, active roles – but getting everything to line up smoothly is proving trickier than ever.

We’re in a market that’s busy, but not always straightforward. Priorities are shifting on both sides of the hiring table, and navigating that takes more than just matching CVs to job specs.

Here are a few things we’re seeing right now:

Mid-Level Solicitors Are in Short Supply

If you’re a solicitor with around 3 to 6 years’ post-qualification experience in areas like real estate, corporate or private client, especially in the regions, then you’re in a strong position. Demand is high and competition for this talent pool is fierce. Firms are looking for people who can hit the ground running, manage clients confidently, and support more junior team members. That combination is increasingly hard to find, especially given the timing of the Pandemic years and will remain so going forward.

Hybrid Working Remains a Balancing Act

Firms are still trying to land on the right formula when it comes to hybrid working and maintaining culture. The most common model remains three days in the office, two days from home. However, the experience can vary wildly from one firm to the next. Some embrace flexibility in a meaningful way. Others are enforcing policies that look flexible on paper but feel rigid in practice. Lawyers are noticing the difference and this remains one of the primary sifts when candidates decide on what new role is right for them.

Salary Matters, But It’s Not Everything

Pay will always be important, but candidates are taking a broader view when weighing up their next move. Team culture, leadership style, progression prospects, billing expectations, and working week are all playing a much bigger role. Lawyers are asking more questions prior to signing on line, doing more research, and looking for evidence that firms are able to satisfy the softer side of any job offer going forward.

It’s a Mixed Picture for NQs

For newly qualified solicitors, the market is a rollercoaster. Some are securing internal roles and settling in quickly. Others are dealing with uncertainty as their training practices cannot afford to take on another mouth to feed and the associated cost. Factors like seat rotation, location flexibility and whether a firm has the actual budget to take on their trainees are proving decisive. Those with a clear idea of what they want and where they’re willing to go to get it tend to have the edge.

What Next?

The legal market isn’t slowing down, but the drivers behind career decisions are evolving. Firms are hiring, but expectations, on both sides, are shifting. It’s no longer just about finding a technically strong lawyer. It’s about the full picture: where, how and with whom people want to work.

If you’re navigating this landscape and wondering what your next move might look like or what your team needs to attract the right people, we’re here to help make sense of it.

At Origin Legal, we’ve been guiding lawyers through career moves for over 20 years. If you’d like an honest, informal conversations about your own career direction, we’d be delighted to help.