Slide 1 of 3
STATE OF LEGAL HIRING — U.S.
First Half of 2020
54% of lawyers plan to expand their legal teams.
Of those planning to expand, 90% plan to staff at least some open roles on a temporary, project or consulting basis.
TOP FULL-TIME LEGAL JOBS BEING ADDED:
| 1. Lawyer (63%) |
| 2. Compliance specialist (45%) |
| 3. Data privacy specialist (39%) |
TOP CRITERIA FOR EMPLOYERS WHEN HIRING AN ATTORNEY, ASIDE FROM LEGAL KNOWLEDGE:
| 1. Practice area expertise (40%) |
| 2. Industry/sector knowledge (14%) |
| 3. Technology skills/digital expertise (12%) |
(Multiple responses were permitted. Top responses are shown.)
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of more than 350 lawyers with law firms and companies in the U.S.
© 2019 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Slide 2 of 3
STATE OF LEGAL HIRING — U.S.
First Half of 2020
PRACTICE AREAS EXPECTED TO OFFER THE GREATEST NUMBER OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
| Litigation (27%) |
| Privacy, data security and information law (16%) |
| General business or commercial law (14%) |
AREAS OF LITIGATION EXPECTED TO OFFER THE GREATEST NUMBER OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
| Commercial litigation (39%) |
| Insurance defense (33%) |
| Securities and corporate governance (31%) |
| (Multiple responses were permitted. Top responses are shown.) |
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of more than 350 lawyers with law firms and companies in the U.S.
© 2019 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Slide 3 of 3
STATE OF LEGAL HIRING — U.S.
First Half of 2020
87% of lawyers said it is challenging to find skilled legal professionals today.
GREATEST CHALLENGES WHEN HIRING SKILLED LEGAL PROFESSIONALS:
| 1. Shortage of qualified candidates (47%) |
| 2. Offering competitive benefits (17%) |
| 3. Meeting salary expectations (17%) |
76% of lawyers are concerned about losing top legal performers to other opportunities.
BEST RETENTION INCENTIVES, ASIDE FROM COMPENSATION OR BONUS:
| 1. Flexible work arrangements (33%) |
| 2. Professional development opportunities |
| 3. Challenging work or variety of assignments (23%) |
(Top responses are shown.)
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of more than 350 lawyers with law firms and companies in the U.S.
© 2019 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
