MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- In a weak economy, certain specialties remain strong. An increase in bankruptcy filings and foreclosures, litigation, corporate securities and patent proceedings is generating demand for legal services in these areas. In response, law offices are recruiting professionals with relevant experience as they move swiftly to capitalize on new business opportunities. These and other findings are featured in the 2009 Salary Guide from Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing service specializing in positions in the legal field.
"As competition intensifies and client budgets contract, law firms need top talent to enhance their service offerings and grow revenue," said Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal. "While some firms are consolidating resources to achieve these objectives, others are hiring experienced attorneys who can make immediate contributions to building niche practice groups."
Volkert noted that legal departments are experiencing an increase in corporate governance and litigation work. "To control costs, corporate counsel are hiring outside specialists on a project basis to augment internal teams and access skills that are in short supply within their organizations."
Following are in-demand positions for 2009, according to Robert Half Legal:
- Bankruptcy/foreclosure attorneys - Lawyers with five or more years of experience handling complex bankruptcy and foreclosure matters, including restructuring and litigation, are in demand by law firms.
- Patent prosecution attorneys - An increase in patent prosecution has heightened the need for attorneys with three or more years of trademark or patent experience. An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering is desirable.
- Litigation paralegals - Candidates with three to five years of litigation experience are sought by law firms and corporations to provide discovery, motion and trial preparation support.
- In-house attorneys - Attorneys with at least three years of transactional law, litigation, regulatory and corporate securities experience are being recruited by corporations to help them meet ongoing legal requirements.
- Foreclosure legal secretaries and legal support professionals - Legal secretaries and legal support candidates with two to five years of foreclosure and litigation practice area experience are in demand. Law firms and companies seek candidates who possess excellent computer skills and are detail-oriented.
The Robert Half Legal Salary Guide is based on an analysis of the thousands of job orders and placements managed nationwide by account executives with Robert Half Legal. The guide includes an overview of the current hiring environment and national average starting salary ranges for positions in the legal field. Because compensation can vary significantly by geographic area, the guide also includes an analysis of hiring trends and compensation variances for more than 75 U.S. markets. A complimentary copy of the 2009 Salary Guide is available by calling 1-800-870-8367.
About Robert Half Legal
Robert Half Legal is the legal staffing division of Robert Half International. The company provides law firms and corporate legal departments with highly skilled professionals, including attorneys, paralegals and legal support personnel, on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Legal offers online job search services at www.roberthalflegal.com.
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