Advertise a law job in the UK—you intend to post your latest legal vacancy and want to stand out in today’s crowded market. You want to attract brilliant solicitors, experienced barristers, or junior legal professionals—but where do you begin? At The Legists, we’ve helped countless law firms and in‑house legal teams reach the right candidates fast. In this post, our goal is to guide you through the entire process—from crafting engaging job ads to promoting them via effective channels.
Why You Should Think Strategically About Job Advertising
Choose the Right Channel
Don’t rely solely on one avenue. Use multiple platforms strategically:
- Legal job boards
Jobsites like Law Gazette Jobs or Legal Week Jobs attract serious candidates. - General job boards
Platforms such as Indeed, Monster, or Totaljobs offer broad reach—but tailor your advert to appeal to legal talent specifically. - Social media
LinkedIn, Twitter, even Facebook groups play essential roles in job discovery. - Your own network
Referrals from solicitors associations or alumni can yield high‑quality candidates.
Craft a Persuasive Job Title
Your title must grab attention instantly:
- Include the role, seniority, and sector—e.g., “Commercial Solicitor (3+ Years’ PQE) – London-based”.
- Use straightforward language.
- Avoid internal jargon or generic terms like “Associate” without context.
Use Clear and Engaging Opening Lines
The first sentences of your advert must hook in candidates:
- Explain clearly what makes the role and your firm unique.
- Hint at culture, client type, or opportunities for development.
- Avoid long-winded or overly formal statements.
What to Include in the Job Description
Core Responsibilities
List key duties in bullet form. Use active verbs like:
- “Draft complex commercial contracts…”
- “Advise clients on cross-border disputes…”
- “Lead junior fee earners and drive business development initiatives…”
Concrete bullet points help candidates picture themselves in the role.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Be realistic and specific:
- Degrees in Law (LLB or equivalent), Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE)
- 3+ years PQE in corporate/commercial law or relevant field
- Proven track record in negotiation, client management, etc.
Avoid vague phrases like “must have strong communication skills”—instead, illustrate. For example:
- “Negotiate clause terms with C‑suite decision‑makers in cross-border transactions.”
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
Legal expertise matters—but so does character:
- “You thrive in collaborative environments.”
- “You embrace innovation and use legal tech to streamline workflows.”
- “You genuinely enjoy coaching and mentoring junior lawyers.”
Why This Role Stands Out
Highlight unique strengths and opportunities:
- Client base (fintech startups, international corporations, real estate investors)
- Firm culture (egalitarian partnership, flexible working, social events)
- Development paths (pathway to partnership, access to training budgets)
Frame these aspects to create appeal and fear of missing out.
How to Format for Readability and Impact
Use Concise Paragraphs and Bullets
Dense blocks put candidates off. Break copy into digestible chunks:
- Three to five lines per paragraph
- Short bullet lists
- White space improves readability
Add Transition Words Purposefully
Transition words connect your copy and guide readers:
- Use words like first, next, in addition, however, therefore, meanwhile, ultimately, moreover, besides
- Aim for 30%+ of your sentences starting with or including such words
Use Headings and Subheadings
Help candidates scan quickly:
- Main sections (Responsibilities, Requirements, Benefits, About Us)
- Specific items (Core Duties, Qualifications, Culture)
Keep headings descriptive, not generic.
Include Legal Keywords Naturally
You may include phrases like:
- “commercial contract negotiation”
- “dispute resolution”
- “due diligence”
- “corporate governance”
- “legal drafting”
Use them naturally within job description, responsibilities, and person specification.
Choosing Multiple Advertising Channels
Legal-Specific Job Boards
Law Gazette Jobs
Recruiters and high-calibre candidates use this daily.
Legal Week Jobs
Great for mid-level to senior roles with specialised candidates.
General Job Platforms
Indeed & Totaljobs
Immense volume, but competition remains high. Stand out with clearer titles and descriptions.
LinkedIn Advertising
- Post organically via company page
- Use targeted paid ads—filter by location, experience, and skillset
- Encourage employee sharing—word of mouth works!
Social Media & Online Communities
- Use niche UK legal groups on Facebook or Slack
- Join bar associations on Twitter and post in relevant threads
- Engage with forums like The Lawyer or Legal Cheek
Referrals & Universities
- Encourage staff referral schemes (bonus or recognition)
- Partner with UK law schools (UCL, LSE, Durham) for career fairs
Image and Company Branding
Use Visual Elements
- Include a firm logo
- Provide an office photo or video snippet
- Choose clean, mobile‑friendly formatting
Showcase Firm Culture
Share quotes or testimonials:
“Since joining, I’ve led multi‑jurisdictional deals and felt supported every step of the way.” — Senior Associate
Show your firm values in action.
Compliance and Legal Requirements
Equal-Opportunity Statement
Include a clear statement:
“The Legists and our partner firms welcome applicants of all backgrounds. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups.”
Right-to-Work and GDPR
- Include right-to-work location requirement, e.g. “Eligible to work in the UK.”
- Inform candidates how you’ll store and process their data. Reputation matters.
Application Process: Clear & Simple Steps
How to Apply
Use active, direct steps:
- “Submit your CV with a short cover letter explaining your interest.”
- “Include your notice period and earliest start date.”
- “Applications close on [date].”
- “Expect to hear back within two weeks.”
Outline the Hiring Timeline
Candidates appreciate transparency:
- After closing date, we’ll short‑list
- Initial phone call with recruitment consultant
- Face‑to‑face or Zoom interview with senior partner
- Feedback and decision within 5 working days
Clear timelines reduce ghosting and uncertainty.
How to Promote Beyond Your Ad
Leverage Email Marketing
Use your CRM to launch targeted job alerts:
- Segment by PQE, location, legal interest
- Include your job posting with a friendly personal message
- Track open and click rates—follow up with interested candidates
Retargeting and Paid Campaigns
- Use LinkedIn or Google Ads to reach passive and active candidates
- Target by job title, firms, location
- Offer whitepapers or firm insights to increase engagement
Track Metrics & Iterate
Define Goals Upfront
You may consider:
- Number of applications
- Quality of applicants
- Time-to-hire
- Source breakdown (where candidates came from)
Tracking enables real-time improvements:
- If few apply via job board—consider switching platform
- If quality proves low—add tougher selection criteria or raise salary band
Avoid Common Pitfalls
- Don’t write vague job adverts (e.g., “We seek hardworking solicitors”).
- Don’t bury your brand in corporate jargon.
- Don’t let gendered language creep in—use inclusive phrasing.
- Avoid overly complex application steps.
Keep it simple, transparent, and compelling.
Why Work with The Legists
- Specialist legal recruiter with deep UK network
- Hands-on guidance – we help craft advert language
- Promote across multiple channels including exclusive legal platforms
- Screening and shortlist delivery within days
- We handle candidate communications—you focus on final interviews
Sample Advert Template
Commercial Solicitor (3–5 PQE)
Location: London (hybrid available)
The Opportunity
Are you an experienced commercial solicitor with a passion for dynamic deals? You’ll negotiate high-value agreements across fintech and international trade, working directly with clients to solve complex issues.
Responsibilities:
- Draft and review multi-million-pound commercial contracts
- Lead due diligence for M&A transactions
- Provide proactive legal advice on corporate governance matters
- Manage relationships and drive business development
What You Bring:
- 3–5 PQE in commercial law
- Strong negotiation background
- Excellent communication and team leadership
- Ability to commercialise legal advice
Why Join Us:
- Friendly, agile firm culture
- Regular training and mentoring support
- Hybrid working and well-being allowances
Apply now!
Send your CV and cover letter to jobs@thelegists.co.uk. We process applications within two weeks.
Final Checklist: Launch with Confidence
| Step | Done? |
| ✅ Strong title with role, PQE, sector, location | |
| ✅ Engaging opening lines | |
| ✅ Clear responsibilities and qualifications | |
| ✅ Highlighted benefits and culture | |
| ✅ Multi-channel posting strategy | |
| ✅ Legal compliance statement | |
| ✅ Transparent application steps | |
| ✅ Branding and formatting in place |
To Summarise
When you advertise a law job in the UK, you must be clear, engaging, compliant—and strategic. Use targeted channels, human‑centred language, and brand‑driven storytelling. Track your metrics, refine your strategy, and lean on a trusted recruiter like The Legists. We’ve helped dozens of firms land standout legal talent—now we’re ready to help you do the same.
