Have Briefcase, Will Travel -- Survey: More Than One-Third of Lawyers Would Take a Job Overseas

MENLO PARK, CA, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Taking a job in a foreign country holds appeal for one in three lawyers interviewed recently by staffing firm Robert Half Legal. While the majority of lawyers said they would be reticent to accept a legal position overseas, 35 per cent of respondents would pursue the opportunity.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing service specializing in lawyers, paralegals, law clerks and other highly skilled legal professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 300 lawyers from among the largest law firms and corporations in the United States and Canada . All respondents have at least three years of experience in the legal field.

Lawyers were asked, "If given the opportunity, would you take a legal position located in another country?" Their responses:

    
              No................................. 63%
              Yes................................ 35%
              Don't know/no answer...............  2%
                                                 ----
                                                 100%
    

"With the growth of globalization in the past decade, international litigation and cross-border transactions are fairly ubiquitous," said Charles Volkert , executive director of Robert Half Legal. "As the economy begins to recover, and more organizations establish a multinational presence, overseas employment opportunities for lawyers will increase."

Volkert noted that for professionals interested in international law, living and working abroad is often a prerequisite, along with the ability to speak two or more languages. "According to research conducted for our Future Law Office project, in-demand practice areas for firms doing business in other countries include energy, climate change, global restructuring, litigation and compliance."

For more information about globalization and other key trends affecting the legal field, please visit www.futurelawoffice.com.

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 lawyers, paralegals, law clerks and legal support personnel, on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Legal offers online job search services at www.roberthalflegal.com.

For further information: Kristie Perrotte, [phone], [email protected]