How did you get into legal recruitment?
I’ve been a professional services recruiter since 2005, starting in accountancy and finance before moving across into legal private practice in 2013. Nick Tappin and I started Thornton Legal in January 2016 and we are now an established name in the North West, with an ever growing presence in Yorkshire and the West Midlands. Thornton Legal is named after a village on the Wirral where Nick and I are from.
Who is your closest colleague?
Nick of course! We have worked together for over 6 years, the majority of which as joint owners of Thornton Legal. To add to the mix, we have also been close friends for almost 30 years so we definitely have an emotional and professional attachment to each other!
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Leaving the comfort of a regular monthly salary to start Thornton Legal with Nick in January 2016 is the best choice I’ve made in my career. In a relatively short amount of time we’ve achieved a lot and far exceeded our expectations from when we started trading in my house. Over the past couple of years we've added larger national and international to our client base. Law firms recruiters only have success with if they can find the lawyers, which we've been able to do.
What advice would you give someone wanting to start their own business?
Just go for it. If you back yourself and work hard, you’ll be successful.
What would you say is your biggest failure in business?
In the past I’ve been too forthright in my views (mainly constructive, occasionally not!) with my previous employers. Usually down to me believing things could be done better and being frustrated that what I saw as obvious wasn’t always taken on board by others (usually my manager!). I wasn’t quite unmanageable, but not far off sometimes! Perhaps being my own boss is the perfect job for me. I’d like to think I’ve mellowed in recent years, certainly since we started Thornton Legal, although I’m not sure Nick would always agree!
What do you do to relax?
Run, cycle drink wine and occasional cocktails (usually a Margarita or Bloody Mary) and hang out with my wife and boys Theo and Gus. I’m also a keen but very amateur gardener.
Is there a sport you wish you could play?
I’ve always been reasonably handy at sports, particularly in my younger days. My friends and family would say I’m competitive and I’d 100% agree! Rugby was my sport at school which I really enjoyed but eventually my (lack of) height became a problem – 5’9 is a little on the small side for a number 8!
What is your favourite book?
I’m not a great reader to be honest. My wife will read four books in the time i get through one! The books I enjoy tend to be sport, travel or food related, rarely fiction. At the moment I’m reading Anthony Bourdain’s A Cooks Tour, I last read it about 10 years ago and watching the recent Netflix documentary on his life and death promoted me pull it off the shelf again. Both Kitchen Confidential and a Cooks Tour are excellent.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I’m a keen runner, and have taken park in half marathons, marathons and a 37 mile ultra-marathon in the Lake District a couple of years back. My wife and I used to have quite successful food blog, through which we were often invited to restaurants to try a new menu or just when they wanted us to write a review on the blog. I’ve eaten home reared garden snails with garlic and butter, they taste just like the French ones but look far less inviting!
What is your favourite quote?
“You win some, you lose some, but you live to fight another day!” Craig’s Dad, Friday
If you'd like to talk to Joe, you can get him 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday on 07903222898 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thornton Legal is a leading legal recruitment company, recruiting for legal jobs in across Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the West Midlands We are passionate about providing a professional, innovative and reliable legal recruitment service that is focused on quality and ensures our clients are matched with the strongest legal talent available. Contact one of our legal recruitment consultants today to see what we can do for your law firm or legal career.