Global talent shortages for Corporate, Banking & Finance, TMT, Project Finance and Construction Lawyers have led firms, both in the UK and the US, to start headhunting their good friends Down Under as they become increasingly appealing and in demand in the current unprecedented legal circumstances.

Medium to large-sized law firms are likely to have a stand-alone recruitment strategy as well as one for marketing. These strategies will fall in line with budgets as well as spend and growth targets. In some cases, especially at larger firms, the addition of recruitment marketing will feature as a fundamental tool for hiring the best talent, with a dedicated team assigned to its fulfilment.

All legal markets are different and offer different challenges. The West Yorkshire legal market is very positive right now, with a great mix of clients including local, national and international law firms.

New York is home to over 175,000 Attorneys and the legal market generates over $430B on an annual basis. However, over the past 2 years the legal market in New York has seen a dramatic shift. The extensive working hours, intense office culture and lack of flexibility had Associates and Partners alike working their fingers to the bone to hit deadlines and achieve bonus targets, with what appeared to be no end in sight. While the pandemic brought uncertainty in both professional and personal aspects of day-to-day life, it seems to have sown the seeds of the future landscape of a legal office. While many law firms were forced to close offices, cancel client meetings and transition to remote working during the pandemic, a shift in the power that Associates hold was seen across legal markets all around the world.

Over the past year there has been a dramatic increase in the resignation of employees. This is due to burnout and a change in priorities for the workers of our country following the COVID-19 pandemic, with a greater value being placed on work-life balance. This has led to The Great Resignation in the UK as well as many other countries around the world, in which almost a quarter of UK workers are considering a change of career in 2022, creating an increase in firm vacancies.

Currently, a 4-day working week is being piloted across the UK to measure if employees can operate with increased productivity when working 20% less time. There has been much debate surrounding the benefits of a shorter working week in the UK. However, it appears more businesses are now willing to consider this option. Despite this, we are yet to see whether this can work in all industries.

Since the beginning of the UK lockdowns back in March 2020, the legal market has been in upheaval. From the initial uncertainly in the earlier months, to a now rebounded and booming industry, it seems there is no end in sight for the demand for Solicitors across private practice, but what does that mean for the in-house sector? Especially for those who want to move into it!