eNL manage the recruitment of legal staff across a variety of sectors. With a strong presence within the private practice market, we also boast specific expertise in relation to public sector and in-house appointments. Our sector specialist consultants provide first rate market knowledge within their geographical location and individual markets.
An overview on each of our key areas is detailed below:
Private Practice
Around 75% of lawyers within the UK work within private practice. Private practice law firms consist of a number of self-employed partners working on a profit share scheme supported by employed solicitors . Partnerships vary greatly in number from sole practitioner through to over 100 within larger national/international firms. Law firms are judged on their capability through a number of methods and mediums including The Lawyer Top 100, Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. In addition, they can be categorised as Niche, West End, Magic Circle, Silver Circle, National or US depending on the nature of their work and client base. The majority of law firms provide the following career structure: Assistant (0-4 years post qualifications (PQE)), Associate (4-8 years PQE) and Partner (Salaried/Equity) although these PQE levels are not strict, in the larger firms in can often be difficult to break away from the mould. Over the last 20 years, private practice lawyers have become more specialist with many lawyers undertaking 1 area of law, for example; commercial contracts or corporate law.
In-house
As an in-house solicitor you will work within a commercial business or organisation, dealing solely with that company’s legal interests. In-house lawyers work as an employee of the organisation, often in a stand-alone position as legal counsel or legal director however in larger, international plc’s or corporations in-house lawyers can work as part of a larger legal department. An in-house lawyer will often be expected to turn their hand to a variety of legal issues most commonly contracts, corporate, employment and commercial litigation. Lawyers are required to work within organisations in a variety of sectors including; Retail, FMCG, Technology Media Telecomms, Energy & Utilities, Industrial and Banking & Financial Services.
Public Sector
The most common areas of practice for solicitors in local authorities are education, childcare, anti-social behaviour, housing or trading standards. Most local authorities have legal departments, which will vary considerably in size, as well as in the work they undertake. Public Sector organisations offering positions to legal staff can include: local authorities, central government, charties & not-for-profit organisations, NHS, education and regulatory bodies.