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Every summer, the legal market seems to go a little quieter.
Partners head off on holiday, hiring managers become harder to pin down, and interview processes can take longer than usual. It's easy to assume recruitment has slowed to a stop and that it's better to wait until September before thinking about your next move.
The reality is quite different.
While the pace of recruitment changes during the summer months, hiring certainly doesn't stop. Law firms continue to recruit, new mandates are approved, and opportunities remain very much in play. The key is understanding how the market works at this time of year, and using it to your advantage.
The market hasn't stopped
One of the biggest differences during the summer is decision-making.
With partners, HR teams and hiring committees taking annual leave at different times, recruitment processes naturally become more spread out. Interviews may take longer to schedule, feedback can be delayed, and offers may take an extra week or two to progress.
That doesn't mean firms have lost interest.
In many cases, the role is still a priority. The process simply needs to work around people's availability.
Patience is often rewarded during the summer months.
Use the quieter period to reflect
The legal profession rarely gives lawyers the opportunity to step back and think strategically about their careers.
Summer offers that chance.
Whether you're actively considering a move or simply curious about what's happening in the market, it's worth asking yourself:
- Am I getting the quality of work I want?
- Is my current firm aligned with my long-term ambitions?
- Am I developing the skills and experience I set out to gain?
- Am I on the right partnership or counsel track?
Taking the time to reflect now can help you make more considered career decisions later in the year.
Don't wait until you're ready to move
One of the most common misconceptions is that you should only speak to a recruiter when you've decided to resign. In reality, the most valuable conversations often happen long before that.
Summer is an ideal time to gain an objective view of the market, understand where demand sits, and discuss your longer-term goals with someone who knows the landscape.
A conversation today doesn't mean you'll move tomorrow.
It simply means you'll be better informed when the time is right.
Get ahead of the September rush
Every year, we see an increase in lawyers exploring new opportunities once summer comes to an end.
Those who have already updated their CV, understood the market and had initial conversations are often in a much stronger position than those starting from scratch.
Being proactive now means you're ready to move when the right opportunity presents itself. A few simple steps now can put you in a much stronger position when hiring activity accelerates after the holidays:
- Update your CV
- Refresh your LinkedIn
- Speak to a specialist recruiter
- Think about your long-term goals
- Stay informed on the latest opportunities
The best career decisions aren't made in a rush, they're made with the right information, at the right time.
