As we reach the midpoint of 2025, Ireland’s legal job market continues to evolve, shaped by economic growth, sector-specific demand, and a changing workplace culture. From hybrid work expectations to specialist hiring surges, here’s a snapshot of the legal recruitment landscape so far this year.
The Irish legal sector has shown strong resilience in 2025, with employment figures now exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Over 16,300 professionals are currently employed in legal services across the country, and the number of practising solicitors has surpassed 12,000, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 3.7% over the past five years.
Growth is being driven by sustained investment and activity in key sectors including corporate, financial services, life sciences, aviation, construction, and technology, each requiring robust legal support.
Demand Across Practice Areas
In terms of practice area demand, construction and infrastructure law remain highly active. The government’s continued investment in large-scale development projects, particularly in housing and renewable energy, has led to strong hiring across firms with project procurement and development finance experience.
The technology and data protection sectors are also booming. Ireland’s status as a European tech hub has ensured consistent demand for lawyers advising on data privacy, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. At the same time, evolving EU regulatory frameworks and growing scrutiny in financial services have driven firms to expand their regulatory, compliance, and investigations teams.
Similarly, healthcare and life sciences continue to grow in complexity and opportunity, requiring lawyers capable of advising on regulation, commercialisation, and cross-border partnerships.
The Rise of Hybrid Working
Hybrid working has emerged as one of the most defining features of the legal recruitment landscape in 2025. Approximately 91% of legal professionals now prioritise hybrid work arrangements when considering a move. Flexibility is no longer a perk, it is a baseline expectation.
Firms that offer meaningful hybrid policies and demonstrate trust in their people are seeing a clear advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent. This shift in working culture has also created greater openness to lateral hiring, international recruitment, and contract-based roles, particularly at the junior and mid-associate level.
Talent Shortages and Retention Pressures
Despite robust activity, firms continue to face challenges in attracting experienced solicitors in competitive areas. Retention strategies are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with firms investing more in internal progression, salary benchmarking, and structured professional development to avoid attrition.
Meanwhile, the integration of legal tech and AI tools has started to influence how legal professionals work. These technologies are streamlining tasks such as document review, due diligence, and research, prompting a re-evaluation of workflows but not, as yet, replacing the need for qualified solicitors.
Regional Disparities and Succession Challenges
While Dublin continues to dominate in terms of legal job opportunities, regional and rural practices are encountering growing difficulties in succession planning and recruitment. Notably, 65% of sole practitioners are now over the age of 50, a demographic challenge that could lead to legal service gaps in parts of the country if not addressed.
Encouraging new talent to consider regional roles, and supporting flexible or remote models to facilitate this, will be essential in the years ahead.
The Outlook for the Remainder of 2025
Looking to the remainder of 2025, we expect continued momentum, particularly as international firms deepen their Irish operations and domestic firms respond to sustained client demand. The outlook remains positive, but the competition for top talent shows no signs of easing. Firms that position themselves as agile, forward-looking employers, with clear career pathways and modern working practices, will be best placed to thrive.
Partnering with DAC Recruitment
At DAC Recruitment, we continue to work closely with leading law firms and legal professionals across Ireland and internationally to meet these evolving challenges. Whether you are hiring or seeking a new role, we’re here to help you navigate the opportunities ahead.