Demand for Tenured Lawyers Increases

Law firms and corporate legal departments will be adding to their teams in the year ahead, a new survey shows. Forty-seven per cent of lawyers polled said they plan to hire personnel in the next 12 months; just 2 per cent of respondents anticipate staff reductions. Litigation, corporate governance and intellectual property were identified as the areas of law expected to experience the most growth.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing service specializing in lawyers, law clerks, paralegals and other highly skilled legal professionals.

"Litigation activity - from labour and employment disputes to contract issues and patent and copyright protection - is creating demand for tenured lawyers with relevant case experience and successful track records," said Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal. "Litigation occurs in every industry and is a practice area that continually produces a significant volume of work. Because case demands vary, however, law firms often supplement their full-time staff with project professionals to meet peak workloads."

Volkert added, "As companies expand into overseas markets and enter into partnerships on a global scale, they'll look to outside counsel for advice on operating within a foreign locale's regulatory framework as well as for guidance on how to minimize risk while making the most of new business opportunities."