When your firm or legal department needs a fresh hire whether it’s a solicitor, paralegal, or in-house counsel you face stiff competition. Top legal talent often has multiple offers by the time you post a vacancy. That’s why crafting a compelling and Advertise a law job in the UK more than ever, especially in today’s tight UK legal market.
At The Legists, we advise legal employers on how to structure job listings, target the best candidates, and comply with hiring laws. In this guide, we’ll show you what works, what to avoid, and how our recruitment expertise helps you attract the best legal professionals.
Why Strong Law Job Advertising Matters
Simply posting a role and hoping for applicants won’t cut it. Instead, consider these benefits of well-structured ads:
Faster hiring process by attracting serious candidates from the start
Fewer unsuitable applications, as clarity reduces irrelevant enquiries
Improved employer brand, building reputation within the legal community
Better engagement, with candidates who align culturally and professionally
In other words, investing in your job advert saves you time, resources, and energy in the long run.
What to Include in Your Law Job Advert
1. Clear Job Title and Practice Area
Choose a concise, searchable title. Use conventional terms like “Solicitor – Commercial Litigation (3 Years PQE)” or “Paralegal – Residential Conveyancing”. That clarity helps candidates find your vacancy instantly.
2. Outline of Key Responsibilities
Rather than overselling or listing every duty, focus on why the role matters. For example:
You’ll lead court applications and witness preparation
You’ll draft and negotiate commercial contracts for SME clients
You’ll manage a caseload of 30 conveyancing files simultaneously
These specifics show applicants what success looks like day to day.
3. Required and Preferred Qualifications
Structure these into must-haves and nice-to-haves:
Essential
Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with 3+ years’ PQE in litigation
Excellent drafting, advocacy, and case management skills
Desirable
Experience in commercial lease disputes
Accreditation in ADR or mediation practice
This structure filters candidates efficiently without excluding high-potential talent.
4. Skills and Personal Qualities
Mention work style and behaviours, not just credentials:
Highly organised with strong time‑management
Confident communicator and persuasive negotiator
Commercially aware with strong client empathy
Top candidates want to know if they’ll fit—both legally and culturally.
5. Salary, Benefits, and Perks
Transparency matters. Whether you offer £60k–£80k plus bonus, or a fixed lead paralegal salary of £40k with remote options—mention it. Don’t forget benefits like flexible working, mental health support, or CPD budgets.
6. Company Culture and Values
Help candidates imagine life at your firm. Are you collaborative? Growing quickly? Known for work-life balance? Show that you’re human—not faceless.
7. Job Location and Flexibility
Specify whether the role is London-based, regional, fully remote, or hybrid. Something like “3 days in office, 2 days remote” makes a big difference in candidate decisions.
8. Application Instructions and Timeline
Provide clear next steps:
Send CV and cover letter by 5 pm, [Date]
Expect 2-stage interviews with technical task
Role to start in May (flexible for the right candidate)
Being explicit reduces confusion and shows professionalism.
Where to Advertise Your Law Job in the UK
1. Specialist Legal Platforms
Sites like Law Gazette Jobs, TotallyLegal, or Reed Legal help you reach qualified legal professionals. Candidates actively search here.
2. Niche and General Job Boards
Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor still get good traffic—but legal jobs can get lost if you don’t optimise the title and keywords.
3. Social Media and Legal Forums
Use LinkedIn posts, industry email newsletters, or even professional channels. Tagging the right groups gives your advert more visibility.
4. Specialist Recruiters (like The Legists!)
We actively present your role to pre‑screened candidates who match your criteria and culture, including those not openly searching.
5. University Careers Services and Apprenticeships
Roles targeting trainees, apprentices, or paralegals benefit from sharing with top law schools or apprenticeship networks.
Best Practices for Including Keywords and SEO
To optimise your advert for Google and job platforms, naturally include key terms like:
“Commercial Solicitor job London”
“3 PQE employment law solicitor UK”
“Residential conveyancing paralegal remote”
Place those terms in headings, the opening sentence, and bullet lists in your advert. That approach improves visibility and attracts candidates searching those phrases.
Legal and Ethical Recruitment Considerations
Your job advert must comply with legal and industry rules:
Avoid unfair discrimination – use neutral language
Follow Equality Act 2010 – offer reasonable hiring adjustments
Be honest – don’t misrepresent pay, location, or flexibility
Respect privacy – handle applicants’ data in compliance with GDPR
When you adapt your advert to these rules from the start, you build trust and reduce risk—already a recruiter’s mark of professionalism.
Common Pitfalls in Law Job Ads (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Overuse of Jargon
Instead of “case management and LPM responsibility,” just say “you’ll manage your own caseload efficiently.”
2. Vague Requirements
Avoid generic demands like “must have experience.” Instead, require “over 2 years’ exposure to litigation and ADR.”
3. Being Transactional
Candidates care about more than salary. Emphasise growth opportunities, supportive culture, and work-life balance.
4. Poor Application Instructions
Announcing “send CV” isn’t enough. Say how to apply, what to include, and offer a contact for questions.
5. Ignoring Diversity
Simple inclusive language—like “all backgrounds welcome”—signals you value diversity beyond lip service.
How The Legists Can Support Your Recruitment Strategy
We partner with legal employers to elevate your hiring process—from targeting the right people to closing offers smoothly.
We Do More Than Post Ads
We capture your objectives, team values, and brand—then craft bespoke job adverts that speak to ideal candidates.
We Handle Screening and Interviews
We pre‑screen talent, shortlist based on suitability and culture fit, and coordinate interviews on your behalf.
We Advise You on Offer Packages
We share market insight into salary bands, bonuses, flexible hours, and perks to help you remain competitive.
We Support Onboarding
We follow through until the candidate starts, ensuring smooth transition and retention.
Sample Job Ad Structure for a Litigation Solicitor
Title:
Commercial Litigation Solicitor – 3 Years PQE – London (Hybrid)
About Us
Join a growth-focused commercial law firm that values culture, collaboration, and a client-first mindset. We emphasise quality over quantity, and we back our people with excellent support, training, and flexibility.
Your Role
Lead a varied caseload—contract disputes, shareholder issues, professional negligence
Draft court documents, witness statements, and settlement correspondence
Conduct client meetings and advocate at hearings
Collaborate with team members and support junior lawyers
What We Seek
Over 3 years’ post-qualification experience in commercial litigation
Strong drafting, case management, and negotiation skills
Confident representation in County/High Court hearings
Enthusiasm for client service and business development
Why You’ll Join Us
£60K–£75K + discretionary bonus
Hybrid working: 3 days in office, 2 remote
25-days holiday + additional wellbeing days
Continuous learning: funded CPL, mentorship, career planning
How to Apply
Send your CV and 1-page cover letter to [email]. Applications close on [date], with interviews in two weeks following.
Final Thoughts: Advertise with Purpose, Hire with Confidence
Effective job advertising helps you attract the right talent fast. Yet crafting excellent adverts takes time. That’s where a specialist like The Legists becomes invaluable.
We blend recruitment know-how with legal market insight to deliver quality hires who fit both the role and your culture. You focus on your clients and strategy—we’ll bring you top-tier legal professionals who’ll help you scale.
