Our 2025 Salary Guide for Legal & Compliance offers a detailed analysis of salary trends and compensation packages within the legal and compliance sectors. This guide is an invaluable resource for employers and job seekers, providing insights into market demand, benefits, and salary benchmarks for various positions. Ensure you remain competitive and well-informed with our comprehensive data, helping you attract and retain top talent in the legal and compliance industry.

Legal & Compliance Hiring Trends to Look For in 2025

In Demand Skills

As the post-COVID workplace continues to evolve, the demand for legal professionals with expertise in employment law will remain strong in 2025. Areas like hybrid working, return-to-office policies, and global talent acquisition are creating complexities that require experienced solicitors in employment litigation, contracts, and compliance. With businesses adapting to these new norms, employment law specialists will be crucial to ensuring legal clarity and supporting organisational change.

The continued focus on data privacy and GDPR compliance will continue to drive demand for legal professionals in 2025. As regulations tighten globally and legislation like the EU’s AI Act emerges, companies will require experts who can manage cross-border data transfers and navigate the complexities of data protection law. Legal professionals skilled in this area will be sought after to ensure companies remain compliant and mitigate the risks of increasing enforcement.

Increase in Contract Roles

There has been a noticeable shift towards more contract and interim legal roles. Firms are increasingly seeking specialised talent for specific projects, particularly in areas like data compliance and M&A, allowing for greater flexibility in managing workloads. Remote and hybrid work arrangements continue to dominate, as law firms and in-house teams prioritise flexibility.

In-House Demand

More Irish organisations are building niche in-house legal teams to reduce reliance on external counsel, creating opportunities for professionals with multidisciplinary skills that combine legal expertise with business acumen or regulatory compliance. There are significant opportunities for legal professionals in key sectors such as technology, fintech, healthcare, and renewable energy. The rapid innovation in technology is driving demand for legal talent familiar with the regulatory environment for digital currencies, AI, and online platforms, while healthcare and biotech innovations are creating legal opportunities, particularly in data protection.