Expertise meets empathy: redefining legal recruitment
Written by: Jeroen Van Ermen from Talent Business Partnerson February 26, 2025
In this insightful conversation with Valerie Hofman, CEO & Director of Legal Interim Management, and Marie Brepoels, Director of Legal Executive Search at Vialegis, we explore how specialized legal recruitment can thrive in an increasingly digital landscape. With their deep industry expertise and commitment to human connections, they share what makes Vialegis a trusted partner in the legal community.
On the picture (left to right): Valerie Hofman (CEO) and Marie Brepoels (Director of Legal Executive Search)
What inspired you to enter the staffing and recruitment industry? Was there a specific experience that sparked your passion?
Valerie Hofman (CEO): "I've always been fascinated by people—their ambitions, strengths, and potential. My legal background combined with my interest in connecting people naturally led me to legal staffing. Early in my career as a lawyer, I noticed how many talented legal professionals struggled to find the right opportunities, and how organizations often faced challenges in identifying the right fit. I saw the difference that the right match could make—not just for businesses but for individuals' career satisfaction. I love the challenge of finding the right person for the right place and the impact it has on both individuals and organizations. The excitement of making meaningful connections and creating win-win situations is what keeps me passionate about this industry."
Marie Brepoels (Director of Legal Executive Search): "My inspiration to enter the staffing and recruitment industry also came from a genuine and deep interest in people. I have always found it incredibly rewarding to help individuals find a new job that aligns with their skills, ambitions, and values. At the same time, I enjoy the commercial aspect of recruitment—it's a dynamic field where relationship-building, strategy, and market knowledge all come into play. The combination of these elements made recruitment a natural fit for me."
What's a challenge you've overcome, and how has it shaped you as a leader?
Valérie: "One of the challenges I've faced is navigating a sector that is constantly evolving. Technology, market expectations, and competition change rapidly, making it essential not only to react but to anticipate shifts. When platforms like LinkedIn started changing the way people connect, many saw it as a threat to traditional recruitment. Instead of resisting, I focused on how we could add more value—leveraging our deep market knowledge, offering strategic advice, and ensuring that personal connections remained central. This has taught me to stay flexible, embrace change, and continuously seek ways to enhance our added value. Being curious is essential, and motivating the team in this changing environment is a key focus. As a leader, I now focus not only on the present but also on the future—where we want to go and how we ensure we remain relevant to our clients and candidates."
Marie: "One of the biggest challenges I've faced is adapting to the rapidly changing competitive landscape in recruitment. Over the years, the number of competitors has increased significantly, and the rise of AI has transformed the industry. Processes have become faster, expectations are higher, and staying ahead requires continuous innovation. This shift has reinforced my belief that the key to long-term success lies in deep, personal connections. While technology plays an important role, true value in recruitment comes from knowing your community of candidates better than anyone else. That means dedicating even more time to meaningful conversations with both clients and candidates, understanding their unique needs, and acting as a trusted advisor rather than just a service provider. As a leader, this challenge has shaped my approach: the human touch remains the most powerful differentiator."
What sets Vialegis apart from the competition, and how do your clients and candidates benefit from this unique value proposition?
Valérie: "Vialegis was founded by and for legal professionals, and that DNA is still deeply embedded in our approach. Our recruitment partners truly understand the legal market, speak the language of our clients and candidates, and act as trusted advisors. Additionally, we focus on human-to-human connections, ensuring that both clients and candidates feel heard and supported. In a market with increasing automation, our personal and consultative approach is what makes us stand out."
Marie: "What truly sets us apart from our competitors is our hyper-specialized approach to legal recruitment. While many agencies focus broadly on the legal sector, we take it a step further—each of recruitment partners specializes in a specific legal practice area, such as real estate, corporate law, or IP. This 'niche within the niche' approach ensures that every recruitment partner is deeply embedded in their respective market, developing an unparalleled level of expertise and an extensive, highly relevant network. Because of this specialization, our Recruitment partners can track market movements closely, anticipate trends, and provide proactive advice to both clients and candidates. It also means we can find the right talent faster, as we know exactly where to look and whom to approach. Our clients don't just get a recruiter; they get a strategic partner with insider knowledge of their specific legal domain. In a rapidly evolving market, our ability to combine deep industry knowledge with a highly personal approach makes all the difference."
What core values guide the culture and decision-making within Vialegis?
Valérie: "At Vialegis, our culture and decision-making are guided by six core values that define who we are and how we operate. We believe in empowering legal professionals by supporting their growth through mentorship, strategic career advice, and personalized guidance, helping them reach their full potential. As an expert in legal recruitment, we leverage deep industry knowledge to make informed decisions, ensuring the right match between talent and opportunity. Our approach is fundamentally human, recognizing that every candidate and client is unique. We foster genuine relationships based on trust, empathy, and a tailored, personal experience. At the same time, we are resourceful, embracing challenges with creativity and agility, always seeking innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the legal market. Our reputation is built on being reliable, delivering on our promises with integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to excellence. Above all, we are determined, approaching every challenge with passion and perseverance to achieve the best outcomes for both legal professionals and organizations. These values shape our decisions, drive our actions, and ensure that we remain a trusted partner in the legal industry."
How do you ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded in your recruitment practices?
Marie: "Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the core of how we approach legal recruitment. We don't just passively support DEI—we actively challenge our clients when needed. That means encouraging them to think outside the box when considering candidates, rather than defaulting to the same traditional profiles. For example, we often advocate for candidates who bring a different perspective or background, even if they don't fit the initial mold. We also ensure that highly motivated senior candidates are considered if they fit within the predefined budget and bring strong energy and drive. With their wealth of experience, they can be an added asset to a team, offering strategic insight and mentorship alongside their expertise. By combining market expertise with a proactive, consultative approach, we ensure that diversity is not just a checkbox, but a real opportunity for our clients to build stronger, more dynamic teams."
What strategies do you use to build and maintain long-term relationships with clients and candidates?
Marie: "Trust, transparency, and consistency. We don't just reach out when we need something—we stay engaged with our network, offer valuable insights, and genuinely care about their careers and business challenges. Follow-ups, networking events, and personal check-ins are all part of our relationship-driven approach. A great example of this is when a candidate we placed 10 years ago later became a hiring manager and returned to us for recruitment support, recognizing the value we had brought to their own career journey."
How do you measure success for your agency beyond financial performance? What key KPIs do you track?
Valérie: "Financial results matter, but at Vialegis, success is about more than just numbers. It's about the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the impact we have on careers and organizations. We see success in the way clients and candidates return to us time and again, a strong sign that we're making a real difference. While we don't yet formally track all aspects of satisfaction, we are actively working on measuring this more systematically in the future. By doing so, we aim to gain even better insights into how we can continue to add value and strengthen the partnerships we've built over the years."
What are you most proud of when it comes to Vialegis's achievements, and what impact do you hope to make in the world through your work?
Valérie: "I'm proud of how we have always been a reference player while staying true to our values. What drives me is knowing that our work changes lives—helping professionals find the right opportunities and enabling organizations to build strong teams. At Vialegis, we support professionals in finding opportunities that align with their evolving ambitions, whether it is a freelance position, an in-house role, or a career in private practice. Careers are not static—what drives someone today may shift over time. That's why we focus on truly understanding both candidates and clients, ensuring the right match at the right moment. By fostering meaningful connections and taking a human-centric approach to recruitment, we help build careers and teams that grow and adapt together."
What do you see as the three most significant changes in the recruitment industry over the past five years, and how has Vialegis adapted to them?
Valérie: "Over the past five years, the recruitment industry has changed a lot, and Vialegis has adapted to keep up. First, the growing competition from platforms like LinkedIn has made it easier for candidates and clients to connect. While these platforms help with visibility, we believe that simply matching candidates with jobs isn't enough. We focus on really understanding both the candidates and the clients. A job is a big part of someone's life, so we provide honest, in-depth advice to help both sides make the right decision. Second, tech-driven automation has become a bigger part of the industry. We use smart tools to help us work more efficiently, but we always make sure to keep the personal touch at the heart of everything we do. Lastly, candidate expectations are changing—things like work-life balance, flexibility, and purpose are now top priorities. We work with our clients to help them understand and meet these shifting needs, ensuring that we're always on the pulse of what matters most to talent."
What role does technology play in your recruitment processes, and how are you leveraging it to meet the evolving expectations of clients and candidates?
Marie: "Technology helps us be faster and more efficient, but we use it to enhance, not replace, the human touch. AI-driven tools help with sourcing and matching, but the final selection and relationship-building remain deeply personal. We use tools to identify potential candidates quickly, but our recruitment partners engage with them personally to ensure the right fit."
In a recruitment landscape increasingly dominated by automation and AI, our conversation with Valérie and Marie highlights the enduring power of human connection. Vialegis stands out not just for its specialized legal expertise, but for its commitment to understanding the unique needs and aspirations of both clients and candidates. In a world where digital tools make matches easier but not necessarily better, their focus on deep market knowledge, strategic guidance, and genuine relationships offers a refreshing and effective approach to legal recruitment. As the industry continues to evolve, Vialegis demonstrates that embracing technology while prioritizing the human element creates the most value for all parties involved.
On the picture (left to right): Valerie Hofman (CEO) and Marie Brepoels (Director of Legal Executive Search)
What inspired you to enter the staffing and recruitment industry? Was there a specific experience that sparked your passion?
Valerie Hofman (CEO): "I've always been fascinated by people—their ambitions, strengths, and potential. My legal background combined with my interest in connecting people naturally led me to legal staffing. Early in my career as a lawyer, I noticed how many talented legal professionals struggled to find the right opportunities, and how organizations often faced challenges in identifying the right fit. I saw the difference that the right match could make—not just for businesses but for individuals' career satisfaction. I love the challenge of finding the right person for the right place and the impact it has on both individuals and organizations. The excitement of making meaningful connections and creating win-win situations is what keeps me passionate about this industry."
Marie Brepoels (Director of Legal Executive Search): "My inspiration to enter the staffing and recruitment industry also came from a genuine and deep interest in people. I have always found it incredibly rewarding to help individuals find a new job that aligns with their skills, ambitions, and values. At the same time, I enjoy the commercial aspect of recruitment—it's a dynamic field where relationship-building, strategy, and market knowledge all come into play. The combination of these elements made recruitment a natural fit for me."
What's a challenge you've overcome, and how has it shaped you as a leader?
Valérie: "One of the challenges I've faced is navigating a sector that is constantly evolving. Technology, market expectations, and competition change rapidly, making it essential not only to react but to anticipate shifts. When platforms like LinkedIn started changing the way people connect, many saw it as a threat to traditional recruitment. Instead of resisting, I focused on how we could add more value—leveraging our deep market knowledge, offering strategic advice, and ensuring that personal connections remained central. This has taught me to stay flexible, embrace change, and continuously seek ways to enhance our added value. Being curious is essential, and motivating the team in this changing environment is a key focus. As a leader, I now focus not only on the present but also on the future—where we want to go and how we ensure we remain relevant to our clients and candidates."
Marie: "One of the biggest challenges I've faced is adapting to the rapidly changing competitive landscape in recruitment. Over the years, the number of competitors has increased significantly, and the rise of AI has transformed the industry. Processes have become faster, expectations are higher, and staying ahead requires continuous innovation. This shift has reinforced my belief that the key to long-term success lies in deep, personal connections. While technology plays an important role, true value in recruitment comes from knowing your community of candidates better than anyone else. That means dedicating even more time to meaningful conversations with both clients and candidates, understanding their unique needs, and acting as a trusted advisor rather than just a service provider. As a leader, this challenge has shaped my approach: the human touch remains the most powerful differentiator."
What sets Vialegis apart from the competition, and how do your clients and candidates benefit from this unique value proposition?
Valérie: "Vialegis was founded by and for legal professionals, and that DNA is still deeply embedded in our approach. Our recruitment partners truly understand the legal market, speak the language of our clients and candidates, and act as trusted advisors. Additionally, we focus on human-to-human connections, ensuring that both clients and candidates feel heard and supported. In a market with increasing automation, our personal and consultative approach is what makes us stand out."
Marie: "What truly sets us apart from our competitors is our hyper-specialized approach to legal recruitment. While many agencies focus broadly on the legal sector, we take it a step further—each of recruitment partners specializes in a specific legal practice area, such as real estate, corporate law, or IP. This 'niche within the niche' approach ensures that every recruitment partner is deeply embedded in their respective market, developing an unparalleled level of expertise and an extensive, highly relevant network. Because of this specialization, our Recruitment partners can track market movements closely, anticipate trends, and provide proactive advice to both clients and candidates. It also means we can find the right talent faster, as we know exactly where to look and whom to approach. Our clients don't just get a recruiter; they get a strategic partner with insider knowledge of their specific legal domain. In a rapidly evolving market, our ability to combine deep industry knowledge with a highly personal approach makes all the difference."
What core values guide the culture and decision-making within Vialegis?
Valérie: "At Vialegis, our culture and decision-making are guided by six core values that define who we are and how we operate. We believe in empowering legal professionals by supporting their growth through mentorship, strategic career advice, and personalized guidance, helping them reach their full potential. As an expert in legal recruitment, we leverage deep industry knowledge to make informed decisions, ensuring the right match between talent and opportunity. Our approach is fundamentally human, recognizing that every candidate and client is unique. We foster genuine relationships based on trust, empathy, and a tailored, personal experience. At the same time, we are resourceful, embracing challenges with creativity and agility, always seeking innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the legal market. Our reputation is built on being reliable, delivering on our promises with integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to excellence. Above all, we are determined, approaching every challenge with passion and perseverance to achieve the best outcomes for both legal professionals and organizations. These values shape our decisions, drive our actions, and ensure that we remain a trusted partner in the legal industry."
How do you ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded in your recruitment practices?
Marie: "Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the core of how we approach legal recruitment. We don't just passively support DEI—we actively challenge our clients when needed. That means encouraging them to think outside the box when considering candidates, rather than defaulting to the same traditional profiles. For example, we often advocate for candidates who bring a different perspective or background, even if they don't fit the initial mold. We also ensure that highly motivated senior candidates are considered if they fit within the predefined budget and bring strong energy and drive. With their wealth of experience, they can be an added asset to a team, offering strategic insight and mentorship alongside their expertise. By combining market expertise with a proactive, consultative approach, we ensure that diversity is not just a checkbox, but a real opportunity for our clients to build stronger, more dynamic teams."
What strategies do you use to build and maintain long-term relationships with clients and candidates?
Marie: "Trust, transparency, and consistency. We don't just reach out when we need something—we stay engaged with our network, offer valuable insights, and genuinely care about their careers and business challenges. Follow-ups, networking events, and personal check-ins are all part of our relationship-driven approach. A great example of this is when a candidate we placed 10 years ago later became a hiring manager and returned to us for recruitment support, recognizing the value we had brought to their own career journey."
How do you measure success for your agency beyond financial performance? What key KPIs do you track?
Valérie: "Financial results matter, but at Vialegis, success is about more than just numbers. It's about the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the impact we have on careers and organizations. We see success in the way clients and candidates return to us time and again, a strong sign that we're making a real difference. While we don't yet formally track all aspects of satisfaction, we are actively working on measuring this more systematically in the future. By doing so, we aim to gain even better insights into how we can continue to add value and strengthen the partnerships we've built over the years."
What are you most proud of when it comes to Vialegis's achievements, and what impact do you hope to make in the world through your work?
Valérie: "I'm proud of how we have always been a reference player while staying true to our values. What drives me is knowing that our work changes lives—helping professionals find the right opportunities and enabling organizations to build strong teams. At Vialegis, we support professionals in finding opportunities that align with their evolving ambitions, whether it is a freelance position, an in-house role, or a career in private practice. Careers are not static—what drives someone today may shift over time. That's why we focus on truly understanding both candidates and clients, ensuring the right match at the right moment. By fostering meaningful connections and taking a human-centric approach to recruitment, we help build careers and teams that grow and adapt together."
What do you see as the three most significant changes in the recruitment industry over the past five years, and how has Vialegis adapted to them?
Valérie: "Over the past five years, the recruitment industry has changed a lot, and Vialegis has adapted to keep up. First, the growing competition from platforms like LinkedIn has made it easier for candidates and clients to connect. While these platforms help with visibility, we believe that simply matching candidates with jobs isn't enough. We focus on really understanding both the candidates and the clients. A job is a big part of someone's life, so we provide honest, in-depth advice to help both sides make the right decision. Second, tech-driven automation has become a bigger part of the industry. We use smart tools to help us work more efficiently, but we always make sure to keep the personal touch at the heart of everything we do. Lastly, candidate expectations are changing—things like work-life balance, flexibility, and purpose are now top priorities. We work with our clients to help them understand and meet these shifting needs, ensuring that we're always on the pulse of what matters most to talent."
What role does technology play in your recruitment processes, and how are you leveraging it to meet the evolving expectations of clients and candidates?
Marie: "Technology helps us be faster and more efficient, but we use it to enhance, not replace, the human touch. AI-driven tools help with sourcing and matching, but the final selection and relationship-building remain deeply personal. We use tools to identify potential candidates quickly, but our recruitment partners engage with them personally to ensure the right fit."
In a recruitment landscape increasingly dominated by automation and AI, our conversation with Valérie and Marie highlights the enduring power of human connection. Vialegis stands out not just for its specialized legal expertise, but for its commitment to understanding the unique needs and aspirations of both clients and candidates. In a world where digital tools make matches easier but not necessarily better, their focus on deep market knowledge, strategic guidance, and genuine relationships offers a refreshing and effective approach to legal recruitment. As the industry continues to evolve, Vialegis demonstrates that embracing technology while prioritizing the human element creates the most value for all parties involved.
Visit Vialegis's company profile to get in touch and discover more.