Consultant Details
Sophie Linley
Director
Who am I and what can I do for you?
I am a Director based in the Leeds office and have been working as a legal recruiter since 2013. I have experience both here in the UK and internationally, facilitating career moves for lawyers from NQ right through to Partner and General Counsel level. I work with law firms and in house teams (predominantly across Yorkshire and North East) to help them attract and retain lawyers across the full remit of legal disciplines. My clients include major international, national and regional law firms, boutique / specialist legal practices, major brand name corporates and growing start-up businesses looking to build legal teams from scratch. I also manage a team of fantastic consultants who work across the North of England and the Midlands. I am always happy to chat about the market and offer insights and advice!
What team are you part of, and what is the best thing about your team?
I lead our Leeds based Private Practice team – a wonderful group of recruitment professionals with expertise on Solicitor recruitment across the private practice legal markets in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East. Despite sitting in our practice division, I am also involved in a significant amount of in-house recruitment and thoroughly enjoy my involvement on both sides of the fence. The best thing about my team is just that – we are a team and are always supportive of each other and willing to help each other out.
5 words that describe me?
Dependable, approachable, loyal, resilient, and kind.
What else should you know about me?
I started my legal recruitment career with Sacco Mann in 2013, fresh off the back of a law degree. After three years with the business, I headed off to Australia and spent two years with Ablethorpe Recruitment in Melbourne, placing lawyers into roles in Private Practice and in house, nationally across Australia. After an amazing few years in Aus, I returned to the UK in 2020 and a return to Sacco Mann was a no brainer. I think my experience working in international markets and my understanding of both in house and private practice legal recruitment, gives me a unique perspective and insight which helps when advising clients and candidates.
A memorable event, day or memory at Sacco Mann?
There have been far too many to name over the years! From hiking the 3 peaks for charity to countless social and networking events to all of the hundreds (probably more like thousands) of wonderful lawyers we’ve worked with to find great new roles – there’s never a dull day!
- If you weren’t in this career, what else would you do and why? Anything that would keep me travelling - I have been very lucky that my recruitment career has taken me around the world and back again. If I had the pick of anything I would be looking to work with animals or revive my high school rock band for a tour!
- Hobbies: When I’m not working, you’ll find me travelling or enjoying lots of live music and quality time with my wife – generally with either a coffee or a craft beer in hand.