(Staffing) The Bottom Line - Robert Half Legal Salary Guide Identifies
Practice Areas, Positions in Demand for 2010

TORONTO , Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Though the economy is showing promising signs of recovery, many law firms and corporate legal departments are taking a cautious approach to adding staff. They are basing hiring decisions on the need to manage costs and improve efficiencies, and are building flexible legal teams that can quickly adapt to changing business conditions. These and other findings are featured in the 2010 Salary Guide from Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing service specializing in positions in the legal field.

"Improving service levels and hiring associates with in-demand experience are primary concerns for law firms looking to retain existing clients and grow revenue", said Jon Veale , LL.B, division director for Robert Half Legal. "To control spending, many corporate legal departments are also hiring staff with specialized skills to do the work in-house instead of relying on outside counsel."

Veale added that legal project professionals can help law firms and corporate legal departments manage unexpected workloads, such as those related to electronic discovery and document review, allowing core employees to pursue other top-priority projects. "Staffing strategically with a mix of full-time and interim professionals to account for workload peaks and valleys helps organizations keep personnel costs on track while maintaining productivity."

Following are in-demand practice areas and positions for 2010, according to Robert Half Legal:

    
    -   Litigation - A surge in litigation is generating work for experienced
        lawyers who can represent corporate clients in areas such as labour
        relations and employment and commercial litigation, among others.

    -   Regulatory and compliance - The global financial crisis is expected
        to result in greater government regulation, increasing demand for
        lawyers with regulatory backgrounds.

    -   Energy/environmental law - As "green" initiatives make gains, lawyers
        with expertise in these areas will remain marketable.

    -   Restructuring/insolvency - The economic downturn has heightened the
        need for lawyers with experience handling complex bankruptcy matters,
        including restructuring and litigation.

    -   Healthcare - The healthcare sector is expected to remain active, due
        in part to new reform legislation, generating demand for lawyers and
        paralegals with biotechnology and pharmaceutical expertise.

    -   Corporate transactional - As legal departments reduce their spending
        on outside counsel, there is an increased need for lawyers and
        paralegals with transactional, litigation and regulatory law
        experience.
    

The Robert Half Legal Salary Guide is based on an analysis of the thousands of job orders and placements managed 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 local markets. Call 1-800-870-8367 for a complimentary copy of the 2010 Salary Guide and also visit the Robert Half Legal Salary Centre at www.roberthalflegal.com/SalaryCentre.

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: Robert Half Legal, Kristie Perrotte, [phone], [email protected]