Hiring the right legal talent can be tough, especially in today’s competitive market. So, when your law firm or in-house legal team opens a new role, it’s vital to advertise that law job effectively—otherwise, you risk attracting the wrong applicants or, worse, none at all.
At The Legists, we’ve helped hundreds of legal employers find exceptional candidates. From Magic Circle firms to boutique practices, everyone faces the same challenge: how to stand out and reach top legal professionals.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of advertising a law job in the UK, from crafting a standout job ad to choosing the right platforms and attracting qualified solicitors, paralegals, and legal support staff.
Why It Matters to Advertise a Law Job Strategically
Let’s start with the basics. You can’t just post a job and hope for the best—not in this legal market. With candidate shortages, hybrid expectations, and evolving salary benchmarks, you must take a strategic approach.
When you advertise the right way, you:
- Attract candidates who meet your legal, cultural, and business needs
- Save time filtering through irrelevant applications
- Shorten the hiring process
- Reduce recruitment costs
- Improve your firm’s reputation as an employer
Now, let’s break down exactly how to make that happen.
Step 1: Define the Role and Ideal Candidate Clearly
Before you even write the job post, sit down with hiring managers, partners, or HR to clarify what you need. Too many firms skip this step and end up with generic listings that underperform.
Ask yourself:
- What’s the key responsibility—litigation, property, employment law?
- What qualifications must the candidate hold (PQE level, LPC, SQE, etc.)?
- Are there specific skills like contract negotiation, advocacy, or compliance?
- Do you need sector experience—banking, insurance, public sector?
- Is the role fully office-based, hybrid, or remote?
The clearer you are now, the more effective your advert will be later.
Step 2: Write a Compelling Legal Job Advert
Your job ad is your first impression. Get this part right, and you’ll attract the right applicants quickly. Get it wrong, and you’ll end up either ghosted or swamped with the wrong CVs.
Here’s how to write a strong, clear, and engaging law job ad.
Structure It Well
Always use clear headings and structure:
- Job Title
- Location and Working Pattern
- About the Firm
- Key Responsibilities
- Required Skills and Experience
- Salary Range and Benefits
- Application Process
Use Plain, Confident Language
Avoid jargon or long-winded phrasing. For example, don’t say, “The successful applicant will be expected to contribute towards…” Instead, say: “You will advise clients on…”
Speak directly to the candidate and highlight what’s in it for them. Use active, confident language to project a professional tone.
Sell Your Firm (But Stay Honest)
Candidates want more than a salary—they want a reason to care. Highlight your firm’s culture, training programmes, hybrid flexibility, or diversity and inclusion work. Just don’t exaggerate. Candidates will notice and check online reviews before applying.
Step 3: Choose the Right Job Title
It might seem like a minor point, but job titles impact how people find your listing. Stick to clear and searchable titles like:
- Commercial Solicitor (3+ PQE)
- Family Law Paralegal – Hybrid
- Corporate Lawyer – Midlands
Avoid internal titles like “Legal Executive Officer II” unless they reflect standard market language.
The clearer and more specific your job title, the better your reach will be across job boards and search engines.
Step 4: Decide Where to Advertise the Law Job
Now that your advert is ready, it’s time to post it. But not all platforms are created equal. For legal roles, niche platforms consistently outperform generic job boards.
Use Specialist Legal Job Boards
Posting on general job boards like Indeed may get you volume, but specialist boards like The Legists give you quality. Legal professionals search here because they know it’s where law firms hire.
You’ll reach candidates across:
- Private practice
- In-house legal teams
- Regulatory bodies
- Niche sectors (IP, fintech, construction, etc.)
Leverage LinkedIn and Social Channels
Post the job on LinkedIn with strong employer branding. Encourage employees to share it too—it adds authenticity and expands reach.
Likewise, using Twitter and even Instagram (for paralegal roles or junior staff) can draw in the right applicants, especially when you use proper legal hashtags like #LegalJobsUK, #SolicitorJobs, or #LawCareers.
Tap Into Recruitment Experts
Sometimes, you need a more targeted approach. That’s where legal recruitment specialists like The Legists come in. We don’t just post jobs—we match your firm with pre-screened, qualified, and interested candidates. Plus, we consult on your hiring strategy and offer insight into market rates and trends.
Step 5: Highlight Salary and Perks—Don’t Hide Them
You might feel tempted to list “competitive salary” and move on. Don’t. Candidates want clarity, and they expect transparency.
Whenever possible, include a realistic salary range. Alongside that, highlight unique benefits:
- Hybrid/flexible working
- Training budgets
- Clear progression pathways
- Wellness programmes
- Bonus schemes
The legal industry still holds a reputation for long hours and pressure. If your firm bucks the trend, say so!
Step 6: Include a Call to Action (CTA)
Every good advert ends with a clear CTA. Tell candidates how and when to apply, and who to contact for questions.
Example:
Ready to join a leading commercial law firm with hybrid working and great progression? Apply today or email our recruitment team at careers@yourfirm.com for more details.
This simple touch boosts applications and removes friction from the process.
Step 7: Track and Optimise Your Ad Performance
After you post the job, don’t walk away. Monitor how it performs. Ask:
- How many applications are you getting?
- Are they relevant and qualified?
- Where are applicants seeing your ad?
If you’re not seeing traction, tweak your language, add more details, or test on a new platform. At The Legists, we use data insights to help clients continuously improve their listings.
Common Mistakes When Advertising a Law Job
You want to stand out—for the right reasons. So, avoid these frequent mistakes:
Being Too Vague
“Legal executive required for busy team.” That tells the candidate nothing. Be specific about responsibilities and expectations.
Skipping the Salary
We get it—negotiations matter. But if you skip salary ranges, top candidates might scroll past. Be upfront.
Ignoring Your Brand
A job advert should reflect your firm’s tone. If your culture is friendly and collaborative, show that in your writing. If it’s high-performance and ambitious, own it.
Posting and Forgetting
One listing won’t do the job. Re-post after two weeks, share across social channels, or ask a recruiter to boost reach.
How The Legists Can Help You Advertise Your Law Jobs Better
At The Legists, we specialize in helping legal employers attract top-tier candidates across private practice, in-house, and the public sector.
We don’t just offer job boards—we offer strategy:
- We help write and format your listings
- We place your ads in front of relevant talent
- We screen applicants and deliver shortlists
- We offer insights into salaries, benefits, and job trends
- We promote your firm’s brand to the legal market
When you advertise with us, you get more than visibility—you get results.
Final Thoughts: Attract Top Legal Talent the Smart Way
Advertising a law job in the UK isn’t just about posting and praying. It’s about crafting a clear, compelling message, placing it in the right hands, and communicating your value as an employer.
When you get this process right, you don’t just fill a vacancy—you strengthen your team, shape your firm’s future, and enhance your reputation in the legal community.
Let The Legists support your next hire. Whether you need a partner-level solicitor or a fresh paralegal graduate, we’ll help you find the right legal professional—quickly and confidently.
