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Monster Says Legal Hiring Is Up

By Lynne DeVenny

A short article in the business section of the San Francisco Chronicle, "8 Occupations With Increased Demand," analyzes the top professions which have experienced the fastest growth in online hiring since July 2009, based on Monster's Employment Index.

The legal profession tops this list, with a growth rate of 29% over the last year:

1. Legal - Increase: 29%
The legal profession covers a wide variety of occupations, from attorneys to legal assistants and secretaries. Although there's a strong increase in online job postings, it's important to note that the legal profession is cyclical: in a recession, corporations cut back their legal staff to contain costs. This upswing in hiring is a good sign that business is getting better - good news for all of us. Unless of, course, the largest increase in demand for lawyers is bankruptcy law.

I can hear some of my readers snorting, "Duh! Legal professionals have been more like victims of corporate massacres over the last two years, and no duh, bankruptcy is booming proportionally." Of course, in a down economy, bankruptcy and foreclosure practice remain marketable specialty areas, along with employment, insurance defense and litigation. Paralegals play a vital role by helping law firms efficiently provide more economical, competitive services, including taking on many tasks that may have previously been performed only by associates.

After a relentless period of bad news topped by more bad news for employment in the legal field, I'm hoping that we'll see more signs of better times over the coming months. But I expect that legal employers will demand more highly qualified, versatile employees than ever, especially in areas impacted by rapidly changing technology.

I've noticed an increase in advertising for legal support staff positions regionally, including more job announcements appearing in listserv posts. What about your area of the country - are you seeing more online ads for legal support staff?

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Full post as published by Practical Paralegalism on August 18, 2010 (boomark / email).