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Career opportunites in Law in London

Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!

published September 29, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Finding certain types of legal jobs in London can be easier than others. This is because some legal specialties in London are not as common as in other locations; the need for barristers, for example, is not very high. However, if you are a qualified legal clerk, secretary, solicitor, or paralegal, you should have no problem finding work once you get to London.

Legal Jobs in London

If you are thinking about entering a career in the legal field then London is one of the best places to start your search. It is home to many of the country's biggest law firms and if you manage to find placement within them, you will be faced with many opportunities. You will find that many major legal firms throughout the UK constantly advertise for roles such as legal secretaries and solicitors. You should be prepared to start work at a very basic level and work your way up to higher positions, but if you do, it will certainly be worth it.

The trend in legal jobs has increased as time has gone on. These days there is more of a demand in London for legal professionals than ever before. However, there does tend to be the occasional dip in the industry. So, if you are struggling to find legal jobs in London, then just persevere as the downcycle will not usually last long.

Potential Job Opportunities

Different companies will offer you different opportunities, and the requirements needed to gain employment will vary by job. Some legal jobs in London may require you to have a certain number of years of experience within your chosen field, while others may only require you to have completed a law degree. Other firms may not care too much about qualifications, especially if you are applying for legal secretary jobs. So you will have to look around to find the right opportunities to suit you.

You can find opportunities for:
 
  • Solicitors
  • Paralegals
  • Lawyer
  • Legal Assistants
  • Trainee Roles
  • Litigation Secretaries
  • Legal PA's

The above listed positions are just a small selection of the legal job opportunities available both in and around London. The assistant roles and secretarial roles do tend to be the most sought-after legal jobs and are quite easy to find. The higher up on the legal career ladder you want to go, the harder it will be to find a position to suit you.

No matter whether you are a UK resident or whether you are looking to immigrate to London, there will always be a legal opportunity for you. Applying for the major legal companies within the country is the best idea. Once you get your foot in the door, it is extremely likely that you will be given the chance to hone existing skills and gain new ones. It is more beneficial to a company to train existing employees than it is to bring in somebody new. If you work hard and make a good impression, then you should find that you could potentially go very far within a company.

Another thing to consider is that the legal sector is beginning to expand in scope. There is a higher demand for companies to turn international. If you aren't a UK citizen, then there may be even more opportunities for you, as UK law firms are now seeking people who can bridge the language barrier that comes with international expansion.
United States

Overall, there is definitely a lot of opportunity within London.

Salary Information for Legal Jobs in London

One of the main things that you will likely want to know about legal jobs in London is what the salaries are like. Typically, salaries depend largely upon your experience, the firms to which you are applying, and what additional certifications you have.

London tends to be one of the highest-paying cities within the UK. This is because the cost of living is generally higher and the salaries need to reflect that.

If you are looking for a legal secretary role then you can expect to be paid around £18,000. However, salary again depends on experience. Starting salaries are as low as £13,000, but typically, in London, you can expect a minimum of £15,000. If you are highly experienced, then you may be able to find job opportunities in London that pay up to £30,000, annually.

If you are specifically looking for a solicitor position, you can expect to be paid around £20,000 for starting positions. This can vary, and the minimum starting pay tends to be £15,000 but in London, most solicitors start on at least £16,000. If you are well-qualified, then you can expect to be paid up to £70,000. Of course, it also depends upon which area of law in which you specify.

Conclusion

Overall, there are plenty of legal jobs in London, and the salaries can be quite attractive. It all depends upon the type of legal job that you are looking to take up. If you want to be a barrister then there are not as many opportunities as there are with legal secretaries, for example. So you need to consider this in your job search.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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