Ten Percent Legal Recruitment helps UK law firms recruit experienced solicitors, heads of department, salaried partners and equity partners.
We have specialised in legal recruitment since 2000. Our services are particularly suited to small and medium-sized law firms that need an experienced lawyer who can manage files independently, supervise colleagues, develop a department or contribute to the future management of the practice. Solicitors with this level of experience tend to be in demand!
Recruiting an Experienced Solicitor
An experienced solicitor appointment can have a significant effect on a law firm. The right person may take responsibility for an existing caseload, replace a retiring partner, rebuild a department or introduce a new area of work.
We assist with appointments including:
- Senior solicitors
- Heads of department
- Salaried partners
- Equity partners
- Consultants
- Solicitors with management responsibilities
- Lawyers being recruited as part of a succession plan
We cover private practice and in-house legal roles across the UK in all fields of law.
Recruitment for Small and Medium-Sized Law Firms
A senior appointment in a smaller practice is rarely just about technical experience. It is highly likely this person will also need to supervise staff, manage client relationships, handle compliance responsibilities and contribute to the commercial development of the firm.We take time to understand the actual requirement, including:
- The work the lawyer will inherit
- The level of supervision available
- Billing or fee expectations
- Management responsibilities
- Office, hybrid or remote working arrangements
- Whether a following is genuinely required
- The firm’s longer-term succession plans
- The salary, benefits and progression being offered
This helps us present the vacancy accurately and avoids wasting time on candidates whose expectations do not match the role.
Partner and Succession Recruitment
Law firms often contact us when a partner is retiring or reducing their hours, either to sell the business or to attempt to recruit at the same or lower level. These instructions often require more than a conventional vacancy advertisement as it is usually about finding someone in our network than a completely unknown candidate.
We can help firms consider whether they need:
- A senior solicitor with a route to partnership
- An existing partner looking to move firms
- A lawyer able to take over an established department
- A consultant arrangement during a handover period
- Locum cover while a permanent appointment is made
- Wider succession or law firm sale advice
Where the underlying issue involves the future ownership of the practice rather than recruitment alone, we can introduce the firm to Jonathan Fagan Business Brokers.
Our Candidate Network
More than 12,500 solicitors and legal executives are registered with Ten Percent Legal Recruitment. Many are passive candidates who may consider a suitable opportunity even though they are not actively applying through job boards. The majority of our placements come from our database.
We use our candidate network, vacancy advertising and direct approaches where appropriate. We will only recommend a candidate where there appears to be a reasonable match with the experience, location, working arrangements and remuneration offered.
What Information Should a Firm Provide?
The more precise the vacancy information, the easier it is to identify suitable lawyers.
Please tell us:
- The main area of law
- Required experience
- Caseload or department structure
- Salary range (be realistic and include bonus possibilities)
- Location and working pattern
- Supervisory or management responsibilities
- Whether a following is required
- Flexible and remote working options (very important)
- Partnership prospects
- Preferred start date
A published salary range and a clear explanation of any hybrid-working arrangements can make a considerable difference to candidate interest. Register your vacancy – click here.
Permanent or Interim Cover?
A permanent recruitment process can take time, particularly for senior or specialist roles. If an existing partner or solicitor is leaving shortly, a locum may provide continuity while the firm recruits.
Our associated Interim Lawyers service maintains a network of locum solicitors and legal executives for short-term, long-term, remote and office-based assignments. Book a locum – click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you recruit solicitors at partner level?
Yes absolutely. We assist law firms with salaried partner, equity partner, head of department and senior solicitor appointments. The structure and expectations need to be explained clearly at the start of the recruitment process.
Must a partner candidate have a following?
No. Some firms need a lawyer with portable clients, but many are looking for someone to take over an existing caseload or department. If a following is essential, the firm should explain what level of work is expected and how it will be assessed.
Can you recruit a replacement for a retiring partner?
Yes. We can recruit senior lawyers to take over existing work and participate in a planned handover. If the retirement affects the ownership or future viability of the practice, separate succession or business sale advice may also be appropriate.
Do you provide locum cover while we recruit?
Yes. Locum cover is available through Interim Lawyers and can help protect client service and manage workloads while a permanent appointment is underway.
What are your recruitment fees?
Our permanent recruitment fees are published online. Ten Percent Legal also provides extended instalment and rebate arrangements for law firm and in-house clients.
Discuss a Senior Legal Appointment
To discuss a senior solicitor, head of department or partner vacancy in confidence, call 0800 246 5001, email cv@ten-percent.co.uk or register the vacancy online.