Top 5 Challenges for HR Professionals in Ireland’s Legal Sector in 2025

The legal sector is evolving fast, and HR professionals are at the center of the storm. From hybrid work headaches to pension reforms, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of big changes. Here’s what’s keeping HR teams in law firms and legal departments on their toes:

1. Hybrid Work vs. Confidentiality – Walking the Tightrope

Hybrid work is here to stay, 91% of solicitors expressed it is in their top priorities according to a survey completed by the Irish Law Society. However, in a profession where confidentiality is paramount, HR must strike the right balance. The challenge? Ensuring GDPR compliance, secure remote access to case files, and seamless collaboration without breaching client confidentiality.

2. Employment Law Overload – Keeping Up with Rapid Changes

HR teams must stay ahead of major legal shifts, including:

• Right to Disconnect – Enforcing work-life balance in a deadline-driven profession is challenging. This policy aims to establish clear boundaries for after-hours communication, especially in a sector where extended hours are often the norm.
• Pay Transparency – By June 2026, law firms must disclose salary structures and gender pay gaps. The EU Pay Transparency Directive requires detailed reporting, prompting firms to rethink pay practices and ensure justification for any discrepancies.
• AI Act Compliance – With AI becoming more integrated into recruitment, performance evaluations, and legal research, HR must ensure compliance with the new EU AI Act. Effective since February 2025, this regulation focuses on fairness, reducing bias, and ensuring ethical use of AI within the legal sector.

3. The War for Legal Talent – Winning the Battle

Recruiting top legal talent is tougher than ever. Solicitors and legal professionals are in demand, and the best candidates expect:

• Competitive pay (transparent and justified!).
• Clear career progression – law firms must offer more than just long hours.
• Strong employer branding – firms that prioritise well-being and development will win the talent war.

4. DEI – Moving Beyond the Buzzwords

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a hot topic, but implementation is where many firms struggle. HR must take the lead in:

• Blind recruitment to reduce unconscious bias.
• Mentorship programs that help underrepresented lawyers advance.
• Mandatory DEI training not just a tick-box exercise, but a real culture shift.

5. Auto-Enrolment Pensions – Ready or Not, Here It Comes

On September 30, 2025, “My Future Fund” will change pension rules. HR teams need to:

• Ensure compliance for all eligible employees.
• Navigate the complexities for self-employed barristers and law firm partners.
• Educate staff, because no one likes surprises when it comes to their retirement funds.

The Bottom Line

2025 is a game-changer for HR in the legal sector. Those who stay ahead of these challenges will not only keep their firms compliant but also build stronger, more attractive workplaces. The legal profession is changing, HR is leading the charge. For more industry articles take a look at our insights page!