How do we show the salary? A Q&A with Charlie Elsworth of Stowe Family Law

As a founding partner of the We Show the Salary campaign, Stowe Family Law include salary details on every job ad and encourages other employers to follow suit. We spoke with Charlie Elsworth, Talent Partner at Stowe Family Law, to learn more about their commitment to salary transparency in recruitment.

Why is being transparent about salaries on job ads important to Stowe Family Law?

Because it’s fair, inclusive and aligned with how we work. Displaying the salary helps create a level playing field and supports an open, trusting culture for candidates and colleagues!

What approach do you take to showing salary info, and why does this approach work well for you?

We include the full salary in every job advert, never vague terms like 'competitive'. As a firm that values clear communication and transparency, this approach sets honest expectations from the outset and reduces unnecessary back-and-forth about pay.

For candidates, showing the salary means clear expectations, less guessing, and fewer wasted applications.

How does showing salary info on job ads help widen access to careers in law and support diversity across the sector?

When pay isn’t stated, many candidates simply don’t apply. By publishing salaries, we attract a broader and more diverse range of applicants, build trust from the outset, and help close pay gaps across the legal sector.

Has showing salaries on job ads had an impact on the organisational culture at Stowe Family Law?

Transparency isn’t just part of how we hire – it’s part of who we are. Open conversations about pay create clarity, trust, and consistency, helping us live our values of fairness and inclusion every day.

For our talent acquisition team, it attracts more engaged and well-matched applicants, makes the process smoother, and avoids last-minute surprises about pay, helping us hire the right people faster.

And how about the recruitment process – what impact does it have on your recruitment team and on people who apply for a role at Stowe Family Law?

For candidates, showing the salary means clear expectations, less guessing, and fewer wasted applications. For our talent acquisition team, it attracts more engaged and well-matched applicants, makes the process smoother, and avoids last-minute surprises about pay, helping us hire the right people faster.

What advice would you give to employers in the legal sector and beyond who aren’t yet showing salary info on their job ads?

It can feel a bit daunting to start showing salaries, especially if it’s not something you’ve done before. But once you take that step, it quickly becomes clear it’s the right thing to do. Being upfront builds trust, strengthens your reputation, and creates a fairer experience for everyone. In the long run, it makes hiring easier, teams stronger, and your workplace culture more open and authentic.