Legal Recruitment
Legal Hiring, Built Around Your Practice
The right legal hire strengthens client relationships, protects billings and gives your practice a credible succession plan. The wrong hire can cost you fees, client confidence and team stability.
Hartley People partners with law firms and in-house teams across Ireland to recruit solicitors and legal professionals who fit the role, the practice and the clients you serve.
- Solicitors & Associates
- In-House Legal Counsel
- Legal Executives
- Paralegals
- Legal Secretaries & PAs
Recruitment Built Around Your Practice
A job title only tells us part of the story. Before we start searching, we want to understand your practice and clients.
The Role
- Which practice area and PQE level, and is the role fee-earning or support?
- What billing target or remit?
- Is there a clear route to partnership or promotion?
The Practice
- Who will they report to?
- What clients and matters will they run?
- Which office, and what hybrid policy?
The Market
- Is the search confidential?
- Is sector experience critical?
We use that information to build the search around the person your practice actually needs. Not simply someone who has held a similar job title.
Law Firm & In-House Recruitment Expertise
Legal roles can look similar on paper while requiring very different people.
Private practice vs. in-house
A senior associate building a fee base needs a different profile from in-house counsel advising a business on risk and growth.
Fee earners vs. legal support
Fee earners require a different search from legal executives, paralegals and legal secretaries.
Legal leadership
Appointing a General Counsel or Head of Legal requires us to understand governance, risk, stakeholders and the business as much as legal ability.
We recruit across:
- Corporate & Commercial Talk to us about Corporate & Commercial recruitment
- Banking & Finance Talk to us about Banking & Finance recruitment
- Funds & Financial Services Talk to us about Funds & Financial Services recruitment
- Litigation & Disputes Talk to us about Litigation & Disputes recruitment
- Employment Law Talk to us about Employment Law recruitment
- Property & Conveyancing Talk to us about Property & Conveyancing recruitment
- Private Client & Probate Talk to us about Private Client & Probate recruitment
- Insurance & Personal Injury Talk to us about Insurance & Personal Injury recruitment
- In-House Legal Talk to us about In-House Legal recruitment
- Compliance & Regulatory Talk to us about Compliance & Regulatory recruitment
- Company Secretarial Talk to us about Company Secretarial recruitment
- Legal Support & Operations Talk to us about Legal Support & Operations recruitment
Across private practice and in-house teams, from NQ to senior level.
Talk to a Legal Recruitment SpecialistOur Legal Recruitment Team
You're hiring a service delivered by people. Meet the recruiters who could be working your search.
Fergal Hartley
Joint OwnerFergal Hartley
Joint OwnerWith a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, Fergal Hartley is a highly regarded joint owner of prominent recruitment and staffing ventures, including Hartley People Recruitment & Training, Flexiforce, Clannad Care and Burton Sinclair. His entrepreneurial spirit has driven these companies to success, making them leaders in their respective fields. Fergal's comprehensive background in talent acquisition, combined with strategic insight and a commitment to best practices as a Fellow of the National Recruitment Federation, positions him as an invaluable partner for securing top executive talent.
LinkedIn
Pierre Fetat
Head of OperationsPierre Fetat
Head of OperationsPierre is an accomplished B2B International Director who works across functions, with over 15 years of experience across digital marketing, business development, and complex sales. With a strong background in Customer Data Platforms (CDP), Customer Success, and digital transformation initiatives, Pierre brings a wealth of expertise to executive search. His strategic insights, coupled with his commitment to driving innovation and operational excellence, make him a valuable partner for clients seeking visionary executive talent.
LinkedIn
Damien McCleane
Head of Strategic RecruitmentDamien McCleane
Head of Strategic RecruitmentWith nearly 30 years of experience across recruitment, training, business development, and customer relationship management, Damien McCleane is an accomplished professional with a versatile background in executive and managerial roles across diverse sectors. Also serving as Regional Manager at Hartley People, Damien combines his expertise in strategic recruitment, client partnership, and team leadership to drive excellence and innovation within the executive search landscape.
LinkedIn
Jessica Maher
Recruitment Team LeadJessica Maher
Recruitment Team LeadJess is responsible for recruitment across supply chain, production, engineering and warehousing. Having previously worked in the hospitality industry, she spent four years in Australia furthering her career before returning home to Wexford. A positive and energetic member of the team, Jess is a keen supporter of Wexford hurling and enjoys baking, going to the gym and spending time with friends.
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Darren O'Connor
Recruitment Team LeadDarren O'Connor
Recruitment Team LeadDarren specialises in recruiting for IT, HR, agricultural and commercial sales roles. With previous experience as an Operations Manager and Partner and Client Relations Manager within the waste technology sector, he brings strong operational and people-focused expertise to his role. Based in Waterford with his wife and dog, Loki, Darren enjoys sport, travel and keeping active.
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Danielle Bohill-Walsh
Senior Partner — Finance SpecialistDanielle Bohill-Walsh
Senior Partner — Finance SpecialistAs an experienced Senior Talent Partner, Danielle brings extensive expertise and a genuine passion for connecting people with the right opportunities. She combines a professional and personable approach with a strong understanding of clients and candidates, building lasting relationships and identifying the right talent. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys home and interior design and spending time with her husband and young daughter.
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Padraig Murphy
Senior Partner — Sales SpecialistPadraig Murphy
Senior Partner — Sales SpecialistPadraig is a Senior Recruitment Partner at Hartley People Recruitment, where he leads the Sales desk and focuses on connecting talented individuals with the right businesses. Before moving into recruitment, he spent 10 years working in Business Operations and holds a BA in Business and Human Resource Management. Outside of work, Padraig is an avid Liverpool supporter and keen golfer.
LinkedIn
Brendan White
Marketing Manager
Nigel Kelly
Talent SpecialistNigel Kelly
Talent SpecialistHailing from Carrick-on-Suir, Nigel is responsible for recruitment across IT, research and development, hospitality, trades and service technician roles. With a strong interest in technology, he is often the first point of contact for technical support within the office. Nigel previously worked in radio, presenting sports news and his own weekly show on WLR. He is also an accomplished photographer, keen runner, rugby fan and enthusiastic gardener.
LinkedIn
Eimear Cox
Recruitment SpecialistEimear Cox
Recruitment SpecialistEimear graduated from WIT with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 2018. Following several years in the insurance industry, including a period in Vancouver working with clients such as Michael Bublé and Nelly Furtado, she moved into recruitment to apply her understanding of people and relationships to helping clients and candidates find the right opportunities. A Waterford native, Eimear enjoys reading, board games, Dungeons & Dragons, pub quizzes and jiu jitsu.
LinkedIn
Hannah Sullivan
Recruitment SpecialistHannah Sullivan
Recruitment SpecialistHannah holds a Diploma in International Human Resource Management, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in International Hotel Management from Shannon College of Hotel Management. Beginning her career in hotel management, she developed strong communication and problem-solving skills, along with a genuine interest in working with people. Her move into recruitment brings together her experience in business, hospitality and human resources, with a focus on understanding candidates and making the right connections.
LinkedIn
Tamara Fisher
Recruitment SpecialistTamara Fisher
Recruitment SpecialistTamara brings extensive experience in operations management, customer service and team leadership, having worked in fast-paced, people-focused environments. She also holds a QQI Level 6 qualification in Human Resources and has a genuine passion for building relationships and helping people find the right opportunities. Outside of work, Tamara enjoys travelling, keeping active and spending time with friends, family and her pug, Harry.
LinkedIn
Tricia Quinn
Commercial and Operations ManagerTricia Quinn
Commercial and Operations ManagerTricia brings energy and warmth to Flexiforce as Commercial and Operations Manager, Hartley People’s temporary recruitment division. A natural people-person, she ensures every interaction is positive and productive, and helps organise team events that keep morale high. With over 15 years as a trainer on FÁS-funded courses, she placed students into permanent roles before moving into operations with charities including Cycle Against Suicide and Make-A-Wish Ireland. Tricia joined Hartley People in 2021. Outside work, she is an avid sea swimmer along the Copper Coast and a proud Ironman finisher (Barcelona, 2019).
LinkedIn
Ashling Durand
Senior Team Lead & Talent SpecialistAshling Durand
Senior Team Lead & Talent SpecialistAshling started in reception at Flexiforce, quickly becoming the office’s go-to person for all things operational—a role she still holds alongside her work as Senior Team Lead and Talent Specialist. She has grown steadily through the business, gaining experience across multiple functions. Ashling enjoys supporting colleagues and clients, solving problems and providing guidance wherever needed. She takes pride in being a reliable point of contact for both the team and the wider business. Beyond work, she loves spending time outdoors with her young family, with a particular fondness for discovering new beaches.
LinkedIn
Kelley Rothwell
Senior Talent Specialist & Compliance CoordinatorKelley Rothwell
Senior Talent Specialist & Compliance CoordinatorKelley works as Senior Talent Specialist and Compliance Coordinator at Flexiforce. With a diverse background spanning talent management, education, hospitality and the creative sector, she brings strong communication, leadership and relationship-building skills to her role. After eight years in hospitality—including managerial positions in Cork and Waterford—Kelley moved into education, holding a Professional Master of Education in Art from UCC following earlier studies in Fine Art at Crawford College of Art & Design. In her current role, she focuses on candidate engagement, recruitment coordination and compliance, taking a proactive, people-centred approach to connecting talent with opportunity.
LinkedIn
Sean Whelan
Talent Specialist & HR AdministratorSean Whelan
Talent Specialist & HR AdministratorSean supports the Flexiforce Agency Staffing Solutions team as Talent Specialist and HR Administrator. He holds a Master’s degree in HR and is an Associate Member of the CIPD. Sean combines his academic background with a genuine interest in recruitment and HR, bringing both knowledge and enthusiasm to his role. Outside the office, he is a keen soccer fan and reigning champion of the company Fantasy Football League.
LinkedIn
Maureen Flynn
Talent SpecialistMaureen Flynn
Talent SpecialistMaureen is a Waterford native and Talent Specialist with Flexiforce. Before joining the team, she managed the Pandora store in Waterford city and later completed a Diploma in Interior Design. Maureen combines her retail and design experience with a natural ability to connect with people, making her a valued member of the recruitment team. Outside work, she enjoys beach walks, sea swimming and spending time outdoors with her two children. She is also known locally as the lead singer of the band No Hot Ashes.
LinkedIn
Jessica Murphy
Talent SpecialistRecruiting for Regional and Provincial Practices
Outside Dublin, many practices are growing their client base while senior solicitors approach retirement and new trainees cluster in the capital. We understand what regional firms need — solicitors who can run a caseload with less supervision, build local client relationships and give the practice a credible succession plan.
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Newly Qualified Solicitors
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Associate Solicitors
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Conveyancing Solicitors
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Probate & Private Client Solicitors
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Litigation & PI Solicitors
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Legal Executives & Secretaries
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Senior Solicitors & Practice Managers
Our 3E Approach
Our legal recruitment model is built around three principles that guide every search we run.
Experience
For over 25 years, Hartley People has recruited for businesses across Ireland — giving us an understanding of different industries, practice structures and the people behind well-run legal teams.
Expertise
Our team of 50+ professionals is supported by 2 dedicated Strategic Sourcing Specialists, combining recruitment expertise, knowledge of the Irish legal market and an advanced suite of sourcing technology.
Ethics
A legal hire needs to work for both sides. Every search is handled with discretion, and we represent the role, billing expectations, progression and package accurately, so candidates know what they're considering joining.
The Solicitor You Need Is Busy Billing, Not Applying
Strong solicitors are usually busy billing, managing clients and running files for their current firm or employer, not reading job ads or applying. Waiting for them to apply is not enough. Our search can combine:
- Direct candidate sourcing
- Passive candidate engagement
- LinkedIn Recruiter
- Advanced sourcing technology
- Market mapping
- Referral networks
- Targeted advertising & leading job boards
Our two Strategic Sourcing Specialists work alongside our recruiters to identify relevant professionals and create routes into candidate markets beyond traditional job advertising.
We Look Beyond the CV
Legal experience needs context. When assessing a candidate, we want to understand:
Which practice areas have they covered?
What PQE and depth do they bring?
How were they trained and supervised?
What client relationships have they built and managed?
What is their billing or in-house record?
How strong is their technical drafting?
How aware are they of regulatory risk?
Which systems and legal tech do they use?
Do they supervise or win new business?
Why move, and how do they want to work?
This helps your hiring team spend time interviewing candidates with genuine relevance to your practice and your clients.
Talk to a Legal Recruitment SpecialistEvery Legal Search Is Different
You might need someone to:
We don’t start with a standard search. We start with what you need the person to achieve — and build the recruitment approach from there.
Your Legal Team, Supported by Ours
With offices in Dublin and Waterford, Hartley People supports law firms and in-house legal teams across Ireland.
- Dublin
- Waterford
You understand your clients, your practice and the standards you work to. We understand how to search, engage and qualify the people who can help you uphold them.
Legal Recruitment Questions, Answered
A few of the questions employers ask us most often about hiring solicitors and other legal talent in Ireland.
Which legal and in-house roles does Hartley People recruit for?
We recruit across private practice and in-house legal teams — from newly qualified solicitors, associates and senior associates through to in-house Legal Counsel and General Counsel. We also recruit compliance and company secretarial professionals, legal executives, paralegals, legal secretaries and practice managers.
Do you recruit for law firms outside Dublin?
Yes. With offices in Waterford and Dublin, we recruit for law firms and in-house teams across Ireland — including regional practices in Cork, Limerick, Galway and the South East.
How do you find solicitors who aren't actively looking for a move?
Most strong solicitors are already employed and busy billing, so we don't rely on job ads alone. Our two Strategic Sourcing Specialists use direct sourcing, LinkedIn Recruiter, market mapping and our 150,000+ candidate network to reach passive candidates who fit your specific requirement.
How do you run a confidential search for a solicitor or counsel?
Many legal hires can't be openly advertised, particularly senior appointments or the replacement of someone still in post. We can run the search without naming your practice, approach candidates directly and share identifying details only once there is genuine interest on both sides.
Can you help a regional or provincial practice plan for succession?
Yes. We recruit for regional and provincial practices that need to add capacity or plan for succession — including conveyancing, probate, litigation and personal injury solicitors, legal executives, and senior solicitors who can take on an established client base.
How long does a typical legal recruitment search take?
It depends on the seniority of the role, how niche the requirement is and the candidate's notice period — a legal secretary search usually moves faster than a senior associate search in a specialist practice area. We'll give you a realistic timeline once we understand what you need the hire to achieve.
What does it cost to use Hartley People for legal recruitment?
Fees depend on the seniority and complexity of the role. Get in touch and we'll talk you through pricing for your specific requirement — no obligation.
Who Does Your Practice Need Next?
Tell us about the role and what you need that person to deliver. We'll talk you through the market, the search and how we can support your hiring team.
- 25+ years recruiting for businesses across Ireland
- Access to a 150,000+ candidate network, active and passive
- A search built around what your hire needs to achieve
Request More Information
Fill in a few details and a member of our legal recruitment team will be in touch.
