Two years in legal recruitment — what have I learned?

• 21 July 2025
• Farzana Aslam

Two years ago, I stepped into the world of legal recruitment after a career spanning the Bar, in-house roles, and academia, followed by a pivot into coaching and workplace consulting. Through my consultancy, I’ve coached countless lawyers at every stage of their careers. That breadth of experience means I understand the pressures, politics, and possibilities from the inside, and it’s shaped how I support lawyers exploring their next move.

Since entering this field, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with law firm leaders, partners, GCs, and in-house counsel. I’ve learned a lot about how the market works, how people move, and who gets what kind of support.

Some patterns are striking, especially when it comes to how men and women engage with recruitment:

MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BUILD LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS WITH RECRUITERS

They’ll call to benchmark compensation, test the waters, or ask who’s hiring and why. These conversations often happen well before they’re actively looking. It’s not always about moving – it’s about staying informed, strategic, and connected.

WOMEN ARE MORE CAUTIOUS (PERHAPS LESS TRUSTING?)

They’re less likely to reach out for informal intel and tend to wait until they’re definitely ready to move.  As a result, they often miss out on the insights, benchmarking data, and informal market conversations that could shape better decisions earlier on.

THIS MATTERS

When one group has consistent access to strategic advice and the other doesn’t it contributes to wider disparities in pay, mobility, and visibility. Knowledge is power. And in legal recruitment, access to that knowledge isn’t always evenly distributed.

If you’re a partner, GC, or senior lawyer and haven’t yet built a relationship with a recruiter you trust, I’d encourage you to start now. Especially if you’re not looking. Some of the most valuable conversations happen before you think you need them.

And if you’ve had a bad experience with recruiters in the past – I hear you. But not all recruiters are the same. The right relationship can be a powerful asset in your corner.