Why Specialist Insight Is Key to Hiring Top In-House Legal Talent

Hiring for in-house legal roles is not the same as hiring for general corporate functions. Legal professionals operate in a complex, risk-sensitive space, and the best ones are rarely actively looking.

At Hunter Savage, we specialise in legal recruitment across Ireland and the UK. We work with in-house legal teams of all sizes to help them identify, engage, and secure top legal talent faster and more effectively.

Here’s why working with a specialist recruiter makes business sense:

 

1. The Cost of Leaving Roles Unfilled

Every day a key legal role remains open, your business risks:

• Delays in commercial contract reviews
• Missed regulatory deadlines
• Overburdened legal teams
• Slower response to risk and compliance issues

Cost of vacancy often exceeds the cost of hiring, especially at mid to senior level.

A specialist recruiter shortens time-to-hire significantly, reducing both business disruption and internal pressure.

 

2. We Know Where to Find the Right People

Most top-tier in-house legal professionals are not on job boards. They’re not applying. They’re busy.

We access legal talent through relationships, discreet networks, and deep market knowledge.

That’s the value of specialisation:

• We understand the complexities of legal roles: commercial, regulatory, IP, data protection, corporate governance, and more.
• We can speak their language and represent your opportunity credibly and confidentially.

“Some of the best in-house lawyers I’ve placed never had a CV on the market, but they were open to the right role at the right time. Knowing when to pick up the phone, who to call, and how to position the opportunity makes all the difference. That’s what we bring as specialists.”
— Cailim Boyle, Director, Legal Recruitment

 

3. Minimising Risk and Maximising Fit

Hiring the wrong lawyer can be costly. The right hire adds:

• Commercial value
• Better stakeholder engagement
• Risk mitigation
• Culture alignment

We spend time understanding your business, your team, and your hiring goals so we can present a shortlist of vetted, relevant candidates that match more than just the job description.

 

4. Flexible, Results-Based Solutions

We offer:

• Contingent or exclusive search options
• Access to pre-qualified candidates
• Transparent timelines and consistent communication

You only pay if we deliver. No hire, no fee.

For strategic hires or urgent vacancies, we can tailor a process that works for your business.

 

5. One Trusted Partner Across Ireland & the UK

Whether you're growing your legal team in Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester, or London — we can help.

Our clients range from:

• Fast-growing tech companies
• Financial services firms
• Global corporates expanding their legal footprint
• SMEs hiring their first in-house lawyer

 

Conclusion

In-house legal teams today are under more pressure than ever, balancing commercial demands, regulatory risk, and evolving business priorities. The right legal hire doesn’t just plug a gap — they bring strategic value, reduce exposure, and elevate the performance of your entire team.

At Hunter Savage, we don’t believe in generic recruitment. We believe in partnerships built on trust, sector knowledge, and long-term thinking. That’s why so many of our clients return to us time and time again because they know we understand the legal landscape, we know how to represent their brand professionally, and we consistently deliver results.

Whether you’re planning a strategic hire, building a team from scratch, or simply curious about the current market, I’d be happy to share insights, salary data, and discuss your options.  For more information, contact Cailim Boyle, Director – Legal Recruitment Specialist on T: +353852505301 or E: cailim@huntersavage.com