More than one-quarter of lawyers at 26 percent plan to hire full-time legal staff during the second quarter; however, 4 percent of lawyers expect to cut staff, according to the quarterly Robert Half Legal Hiring Index.
Another 57 percent of respondents anticipate making no staffing changes in the next three months while 59 percent of respondents say finding skilled legal professionals is difficult, which is up eight points from the previous quarter. The survey finds that hiring activity is projected to take place mostly at law firms with 22 percent of respondents saying bankruptcy and foreclosure are the practice areas predicted to experience the most growth. Litigation is also rated as a top area for growth by 21 percent of respondents while 18 percent of respondents say general business and commercial law is expected to improve.
"Hiring is expected to remain active as law firms see renewed demand for their services," says Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal. "As the number of bankruptcies, foreclosures and lawsuit filings continues to increase, the need for legal counsel in these areas should remain strong. Law firms are recruiting experienced candidates to expand lucrative practice groups and pursue new business opportunities."
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On average, respondents say they plan to hire two full-time positions, and the three most in-demand positions are lawyers at 85 percent, paralegals at 39 percent and legal secretaries at 24 percent. Another 68 percent of respondents say they are somewhat or very confident in their organizations' prospects for growth over the next three months, marking a decline of five points from last quarter.
Volkert says improved business activity and ongoing regulatory requirements are producing demand for experienced in-house counsel. General counsel associates are brought in to handle legal and regulatory matters as well as support their organizations' objectives by recognizing business opportunities that don't pose substantial risks. Project-based professionals are also in high demand.
"To manage rising caseloads and supplement the work of full-time employees, many law firms and corporate legal departments are bringing in legal professionals on a project basis who possess expertise in key areas," Volkert says. "Experienced, tech-savvy paralegals who can take on increased responsibilities, such as assisting with document management and discovery-related projects, are highly marketable."
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