With a new year, new decade and time to reflect over the holidays, many legal professionals are turning their thoughts to their careers. 

The Scottish Legal landscape

Since 2018, the legal profession in Scotland has continued to go from strength to strength. Following a number of high profile mergers the legal landscape not only boasts a wealth of expertise but is recognised internationally to be innovative in becoming trusted advisors to the SME and Corporate sectors.

These sectors have seen a marked increase in requirements for legal services – up 17% in comparison to 2016-2018.  This is in spite of the uncertainty created around various political elements. There also continues to be a need in historically core markets – Commercial Property and Corporate Law.  We have also seen and an upsurge for a new level expertise as industries such as Fintech grow in Scotland.  All of this has created an environment offering variety of opportunity and excellent career paths in the Scottish market.

Is 2020 the right time for you?

There is by no means an exhaustive checklist for knowing when the right time for you is to make a career move.   A great starting point is in evaluating the legal market.

The legal landscape is continuing to benefit from the initiative of Scottish Legal International’s promotion across the international legal market and our ability to offer a high standard of legal collaboration. Although early in the year, 2020 has already demonstrated an increase in demand from firms expanding their existing offering into new sectors as a result of this inward investment.

Increase in demand for legal expertise across new sectors and changes to what would be core sectors in Scotland provides professionals with an unrivalled environment when considering a new opportunity. The profession has at times fallen behind other markets in adopting a tailored engagement model when making new appointments. This has significantly changed. Legal professionals are now in a position where they can be selective in considering a new opportunity, almost hand-picking in an objective manner aspects they wish to secure in their next role.  

Consider your current role – Can you achieve more?  What opportunities are there to grow with your existing employer? Do you feel valued?

If you are ready to consider a move, this really is the time to build your career in the Scottish legal market. 

How we can help you

Our Legal Consultant Hugh Hardie specialises in the Scottish legal market, securing positions for professionals from Newly Qualified to Partner level.

Hugh is working closely with a select number of firms to develop their offerings across Real Estate (Commercial & Residential), Litigation, Employment, Corporate & Private Client. Our client portfolio within the Legal market includes local, regional and national legal practices, from SMEs to globally recognised brands. 

We don’t believe in a one-size fits all approach. We will work with you in the strictest of confidence to understand your expertise and identify who we believe would best align with your aspirations.  

We have a proven track record offering specialist services to legal professionals including:

• Legally qualified staff from NQ to Partner-level
• Non-qualified business support staff within private practice
• In-house
• Team moves

Get in touch

To find out more get in touch with Hugh Hardie on 0141 270 5133,   hhardie@fpsg.com or view our vacancies here