Is Your Law Firm Ready for the 2025 Recruitment Challenge?
The legal recruitment landscape in 2025 is defined by one thing: competition for mid-level talent. Whether you’re a high street firm in South Wales, a Legal 500 name in Bristol, or a boutique firm based in the Southwest, the message is the same. Attracting and retaining solicitors in the 2-6 PQE bracket has never been more challenging.
Yolk's Legal recruitment team are noticing that this isn’t just a local trend, It’s the result of wider national and international shifts. Post-pandemic training shortfalls have left a gap in the pipeline, with fewer solicitors progressing through qualification at the expected pace. At the same time, international demand for UK-qualified solicitors has surged, with more professionals being pulled into US firms, Magic Circle roles, and offshore opportunities offering high salaries and flexible working models.
We’re also seeing a generational shift in priorities. While pay is a still very much a factor, candidates are placing increasing value on hybrid flexibility, structured progression, and culture that aligns with their values. In 2024, firms like Simmons & Simmons pushed NQ salaries above £100,000, setting a benchmark that many regional firms can’t match, but which still influences candidate expectations across the board.
In response, the most successful firms are evolving their approach. Faster, more candidate-friendly hiring processes, clearer communication on benefits, and employer branding that reflects genuine culture and values are all key to standing out amongst the noise. We’re seeing firms enhance their total offering, from private healthcare and sabbaticals to dedicated wellbeing budgets and real hybrid flexibility, all competing for the best talent on the market.
Want to stay ahead of the recruitment curve?
Whether you want a deeper understanding into the Legal market, or you're just benchmarking salaries, Yolk's free bespoke Talent Report gives you the insight to make smarter hiring decisions.
Contact Yolk's Legal recruitment team direct below.
Email: legal@yolkrecruitment.com
Call: 029 2022 0078