This year alone IDEX legal have supported over 65 professionals in securing new roles at top law firms across the UK and internationally, and with an ambitious growth plan and unique service model there’s no sign the team is slowing down.
We chatted to Luqmaan Ayaz, Senior Legal Consultant on how the IDEX legal team support clients and professionals, current market conditions and the unique benefits people can expect partnering with IDEX.
How does IDEX Consulting work with legal firms and in-house teams?
Our team supports clients across the UK, Europe and internationally to find and hire top talent who add long-term value to any firm or business. Our strong relationships with leading law firms and in-house legal teams across a range of business areas, including; financial services, insurance, construction and property, means we have unparalleled access to a range of specialist talent in the market.
Our recruitment consultants have extensive knowledge of the legal profession, which allows them to offer a tailored approach to suit the individual requirements of our clients and those looking for a new role. We cover positions from newly qualified Solicitors to senior Lawyers and Partners, as well as General Counsel.
How do you help legal professionals secure their dream role?
We have a skilled team of recruiters who have over 125 years of combined experience. Our consultants work closely with professionals on a confidential basis, to understand potential frustrations, long-term career goals and lifestyle needs. This might include things like; frustrations around progression, concerns about an employer’s culture, hybrid working challenges, feeling underpaid or perhaps an individual would just like some market intelligence or understand what their peers might be doing at other firms.
Having understood aspirations, we will devise a plan of action, based on our detailed understanding of the market. We’ll then reach out to desirable employers who will be best placed to provide the right career opportunity and package. We have excellent relationships with Senior Partners, General Counsels, heads of various departments and recruitment advisors to ensure a candidate’s profile is seen by the right person. Once introduced, we will remain in constant communication with that professional throughout the interview process, providing crucial interview prep and acting as a sounding board to help them secure the perfect offer of employment.
What’s the benefit of working with IDEX Consulting?
We are in your corner! We are 100% dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. 97% of the people we’ve assisted in securing new roles are still in place after five years. We’ve seen and done it all, whether you are a newly qualified legal professional seeking your first role, an associate seeking to progress or a senior professional seeking to break through the partnership barrier, we can help you.
What’s the current Legal market like?
On the back of the record-breaking hiring boom in 2022 across the Midlands, it’s no secret that recruitment across almost all legal markets took a significant hit in 2023. With a number of firms having overindulged in 2022 on the recruitment front, utilisation rates began slipping in 2023 as financial markets struggled to recover as quickly as everyone expected. Historically, it’s always been the case that demand for lawyers has remained greater than the number of lawyers available in the market, but in the last year or so this has changed dramatically. We are now seeing an increase in the number of lawyers actively seeking new roles, only to find significant competition for opportunities. When looking back at the beginning of the year, in the first two weeks of January alone, IDEX were instructed on over 20 vacancies in Birmingham across a number of disciplines. The vast majority of these positions would suit individuals between 3-8PQE. On the more senior end, the appetite to recruit new Partners continues to remain high, particularly in sectors such as Employment law and Litigation. As we approach the summer months, the Senior Associate market has really started to pick up particularly for those practicing Corporate, Real Estate and Real Estate Litigation law.
Any advice you’d give to a professional planning a career move?
Given the nature of the work Lawyers undertake, you’d be surprised at the number of Lawyers who do not do their due diligence when working with a recruiter! It is imperative that you work with a professional and a dedicated expert who prides themselves on their consultative nature and has a track record of success in your market. Take the time to really quiz the individual you are entrusting to help you achieve your career goals – it’s not something you can afford to get wrong! I would fully expect my representative to be able to provide thorough insight on the firm and hiring Partner, team structure, chargeable hourly targets, salary banding, bonus structure, promotion triggers and culture and agile working policies, as a bare minimum. If the individual is unable to answer any of the following, I would think twice before consenting to their representation.
How can a business or professional learn more or get in touch?
Just drop me a line, on 07425 806 576 or email me at luqmaan.ayaz@idexconsulting and I’d be happy to have a confidential chat. We have access to the latest legal market insights and developments which we can discuss further.
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IDEX Legal are an award winning, innovative, independent recruitment and business growth consultancy for law firms and in-house legal teams. We work with talented individuals at the heart of the legal sector, helping them to realise their career ambitions and secure a role that is right for them.
Our strong relationships with leading law firms and in-house legal teams across a range of business areas means we have unparalleled access to a range of specialist talent in the market. We cover positions from newly qualified Solicitors to senior Lawyers and Partners, as well as General Counsel. Our track record speaks for itself, 97% of IDEX placements are still in place after five years and we have a 100% success rate on retained projects.
