Grow Your Team
No time wasted. Just the right legal talent, and the results you’re looking for.
Thornton Legal is not a typical legal recruitment agency.
We connect law firms with people who truly fit, from legal support staff to experienced solicitors and partners. Our focus is on long-term, mutually beneficial relationships built on trust and consistent delivery.
We work openly, honestly and collaboratively, taking time to understand each firm’s culture and goals. Our ideal clients are independent or mid-sized regional and national firms with autonomy at office or partner level, who value communication, trust and lasting recruiter relationships.
As a boutique recruiter, we offer a level of attention and understanding that large national agencies cannot match. Our local market knowledge, established networks and tailored approach mean we deliver better alignment and stronger, longer-term hires.
Our high CV-to-offer success rate reflects our belief that quality always outweighs quantity.
See what our clients say in the testimonials we are proud to receive.
Legal Firms We Partner With
Client Testimonials
View All Testimonials
We used Nick recently to help us with a difficult piece of recruitment. He took the time to come to meet me and took on board exactly what we were looking for. As a firm we rarely use recruiters so the process itself was new to me. Nick was helpful throughout and managed to find us somebody who we simply would not have found without his efforts. I would definitely recommend him to any law firm looking to recruit in the future.
Managing Director
Laura-Kate has worked on a number of roles for me from Junior Legal Secretaries to Senior Solicitors. Laura understands what we look for in a candidate and as such the candidates she puts forward are often offered the role. Laura is always professional, approachable and goes out of her way to make sure that, we as her client, receive an effective and efficient service. I would not hesitate to recommend Laura for any legal recruitment.
HR Manager
I’ve worked with Joe at Thornton Legal on a couple of different roles and I’ve been impressed by his approach to legal recruitment and the calibre of candidates he represents. Joe understands that Manleys can be a challenging firm to recruit for because we have high expectations, so he only puts lawyers in front of us who fit the brief. After successfully finding a senior associate this year, he’s a is a recruitment consultant I’ll definitely work with again.
Senior Partner
I have worked with Joe at Thornton Legal for a number of years, and have always found him very professional, informative and generally over and above what you normally expect from a recruitment agency. It is always worth a catch up with him to chat about the legal market, as well as talking running which is a mutual pastime of ours! I’m sure Joe and Thornton Legal will be key contacts of mine for years to come.
Commercial Property Partner
I have known Nick for several years and consider him to be a well respected and knowledgeable recruiter. He is one of the first names that I turn to when I am looking to recruit as he has excellent insight into the Liverpool market.
Commercial Property Partner
Laura – Kate has been really helpful when helping us find a new assistant for our team. Teamed with Nick and Joe we have also had several candidates sent over for interview for a further position. Laura- Kate has been on hand to take my calls throughout and is a pleasure to work with.
Head of Residential Property
I would highly recommend Laura's services. She filled a very urgent position we had with an excellent candidate within a week Great communication and very proactive. Thanks
Managing Partner
It’s only in the last 6 months or so that I’ve been working with Joe at Thornton Legal, and I’m really pleased with the job he’s done so far. He has helped us recruit experienced solicitors into our dispute resolution and residential property teams, and both times he’s been responsive, efficient and communicative. I look forward to working with him again in the future.
Senior Partner
Joe doesn’t contact me unnecessary, but when he does get in touch it’s always worth a conversation. He is well connected with the calibre of real estate lawyers we like at Land Law, and he manages the recruitment process in a discreet and professional manner. I’m sure we’ll work together in the future.
Managing Partner
We have worked with Joe a number of times. He took the time to understand our business culture and the need for personality fit rather than just a number. He has presented us with some great candidates and is easy to deal with – accessible and responsive. All of this helps ease the process of recruitment and retention and we look forward to working together again.
Corporate Partner
I've worked with Joe Rees for several years at two different firms and I've always thought highly of him and the recruitment service he provides. He doesn't pester me with phone calls and he doesn't send information not relevant to our firm meaning that when Joe does get in touch it's always worth listening. He will be a keen recruitment contact of mine for years to come.
HR Manager
Joe is an experienced and knowledgeable legal recruiter who has his finger on the pulse of the Chester market. What I need is a recruiter to come to me with solicitors who are not just strong technically and commercially, but with those who are the right ‘fit’ for SAS Daniels. This is what Joe is particularly good at. When I receive a cv from him I know that it will be worth looking at. I get just the right amount of contact and a common-sense approach from Joe and I can highly recommend him and the team at Thornton Legal.
Head of Corporate and Commercial
I have worked with Joe to recruit for various positions and on all occasions I have found him efficient, easy to deal with and always feel he has an understanding of the requirements for each specific candidate. I would recommend him and his team at Thornton Legal.
Private Client Partner
Joe quickly provided us with a high-quality short-list of candidates, and we were able to offer the role to an excellent solicitor who is proving to be asset to the firm. Although there is a cost involved in engaging a recruiter, I believe the time saved and the quality of candidates made the process a positive and worthwhile experience.
Managing Partner
Having rarely used agencies in the past to assist with recruitment, it was refreshing to come across Thornton Legal who exceeded expectations. I dealt with both Joe and Nick throughout the process. They understood exactly what we were looking for in the ideal candidate and I was impressed with the calibre of CVs that I received.
Managing Director
I have used Joe on two separate occasions to hire qualified lawyers to add to my team. He was one of several agents we used, but both times we hired the candidates he recommended, which so far have proved to be excellent in all respects. I would not hesitate in using Joe again.
Residential Property Partner
We recently used the services of Joe and Thornton Legal for the recruitment of a qualified solicitor and we have been very impressed. He took the time to meet us, and it was clear that understood type of candidate we needed. He only put forward suitable cvs and we were pleased with how smooth the process was from start to finish and, of course, the successful outcome.
Property Partner
Jackson Lees have worked with Nick and Thornton Legal since they launched their business. We have always been happy with the service that they have provided for us and their help in growing our business is hugely appreciated.
Group Chief Operating Officer
Having worked with Nick, Joe and the team at Thornton for a number of years now, I would be happy to recommend them. Their communication and understanding of the legal market is excellent. Nick is always very quick to understand my requirements and is always on hand to act as a sounding board. Great to work with you.
Corporate Partner
We'd love to hear from you
Hello, I’m Joe from Thornton Legal. How can I help you?
HQ
2nd Floor 4 St Paul’s Square Liverpool L3 9SJ