April 24, 2013
BCG Attorney Search has released its "State of the Market Report for Spring 2013". This report includes recent trends in the legal sector and recruiting across the US.
CEO Harrison Barnes says that this time too IP has been able to retain its top spot as the most in-demand law practice specialty, with litigation and corporate attorneys also in hot demand. “Compared to our Winter 2012 report, this time corporate and litigation are in strong demand according to our recruiters. In fact, in Texas, the need for corporate attorneys is almost the same as it was during the 2006 and 2007 levels.”
The firm covers the country into eight regions in addition to covering foreign markets in its latest report.
The highlights of the State of the Market Report Spring 2013 are:
1. Northern California – Intellectual Property continues to be the hottest sector in the California legal market. Hiring has remained steady in this practice for several years. Firms continue to seek both in-state and out of state candidates to keep up with the demand. Litigation hiring in San Francisco skyrocketed this quarter, demonstrating the largest growth in this sector in four years. As in previous months, the demand is almost exclusively for complex commercial litigators.
2. Southern California – The most influx of new law firm openings this quarter has been in the area of real estate transactions and finance. Unlike some other areas of California, patent prosecutors with degrees in organic chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology or chemical engineering are able to find law firm opportunities in San Diego. There are a handful of top tier firms looking for junior patent litigators.
3. Northwest – Seattle firms continue to actively seek and hire candidates who have strong existing ties to the area and excellent credentials. IP candidates with strong technical backgrounds or corporate attorneys with tech transaction and/or venture capital experience will fare especially well. Multiple and consistent job opportunities persist in the Portland market for prosecution attorney and patent agent candidates with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. Litigation also continues to trend strongly in the Portland market.
4. Southwest – There has been an uptick in litigation openings, not only in Phoenix, but in other areas of Arizona as well (Scottsdale and Tucson). There has been an increase in transactional tax positions with major law firms in the Phoenix area. The greatest need throughout the state of Nevada is for commercial litigators (including those with foreclosure experience) - mainly at the mid-level (2-5 years). In Denver law firms, intellectual property
practices continue to thrive.
5. Midwest – In Chicago, corporate openings in law firms have continued to expand in the first quarter of 2013. Healthcare associates with experience in the life sciences area are also in demand. IP attorneys with 2-5 years of experience are also in demand from Chicago law firms. Firms in Madison and Milwaukee are seeking patent litigation associates with 2-3 years of experience and electrical engineering or mechanical engineering backgrounds. In Detroit, top firms are seeking labor and employment associates.
6. Northeast – In New York, patent litigation and prosecution are still very hot practice areas, particularly for candidates with a strong technical background. Firms are now beginning to search for junior general litigation associates, likely to fill the gap created by the economic downfall. The partner market in New York continues to show high levels of demand. In Philadelphia, the legal market is showing clear signs of an increase in lateral law firm hiring for the first time since the economic downturn began. The IP trend that has been sweeping the nation also continues in the Boston market. The DC market continues to thrive with over 140 legal opportunities open in litigation, intellectual property and corporate. The FDA/regulatory market in DC is heating up and several firms are looking for food and drug attorneys with experience in FDA regulatory issues.
7. South – In Texas, the need for corporate attorneys is reaching almost 2006 and 2007 levels. This could be due to the fact that so few corporate associates were "created" in 2009, 2010, and even 2011. As always, with its low cost of living yet comparable firm salary structure, Texas remains a great option for partners and associates. Out-of-state transactional candidates find little barrier to entry in Texas as long as they have strong credentials. As a major hub for Finance work, Charlotte continues to have almost constant needs for junior to mid-level Finance candidates with excellent credentials.
8. Southeast – In Florida, firms are having an increased number of openings at this time. Much of the demand is for corporate and intellectual property attorneys who are 3 to 6 years out of law school.
9. Foreign Markets - The hiring trend in London for corporate attorneys with large firm backgrounds and excellent academic credentials remains strong. There are a number of openings for corporate attorneys in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, and Munich. Nearly every corporate practice area is in demand. In Asia, there is significant demand for corporate attorneys. Such demand is particularly high in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Read the complete STATE OF THE MARKET REPORT at BCG Attorney Search.
About BCG Attorney Search:
BCG Attorney Search is a premier recruiting firm for experienced attorneys in the United States. Since the year 2000, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys with employers who were the best fit for individual candidates, and helped law firms and companies with their recruitment efforts. The website of BCG Attorney Search is here https://www.bcgsearch.com/
