Hiring and Compensation
What Litigation Support and Other Legal Professionals Need to Know
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ENTER
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Our Speakers
Gary C. Rosen
Managing Shareholder Becker & Poliakoff
Charles A. Volkert, Esq.
Executive Director Robert Half Legal
Executive Managing Director
Robert Half Legal eDiscovery Services
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Overview
The tightening market for specialized talent
Career alternatives
Hiring and compensation trends 1
2 3
4 Standing out on the job hunt
5
National Hiring Outlook:
July – December 2014
52%
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 200 lawyers among the largest law firms and corporations in the United States.
Lawyers were asked: “What are your hiring plans for the second half of 2014?”
Plan to hire
29%
Maintain current staff levels
Will not fill vacant positions
Anticipate staff reductions
2%
10%
6
Legal Job Market Is Changing
More than half of lawyers said it’s challenging to find
skilled legal professionals
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 200 lawyers with the largest law firms and corporations in the United States.
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Nearly one-third are concerned about losing
top performers
56% 32%
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Copying or reproducing this material is strictly prohibited.
Lawyers were asked, “ Ideally, what size law firm would you like to work for?”
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 175 lawyers among the largest law firms in the United States and Canada
Small-to-Midsize Firms Hold Most Appeal
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Tale of Two Job Markets
• Professionals with high-demand skills in short supply
– 3-5 years’ experience in the hottest practice areas – Technology proficiency
– Knowledge of eDiscovery, compliance, regulatory work, data privacy and security
– Portable book of business
• Employee confidence is building
• Competition for industry’s top talent is intensifying
• Despite modest improvement, market remains conservative for:
– Tenured associates with no book of business – Entry-level lawyers
– Overall employment rate for new law school
graduates fell for the sixth year in a row, to 84.7%*
*Source: “Select Findings from the Employment Report and Salary Survey for the Class of 2013,”NALP 9
84.7%
20%
42%
2%
6%
Where the Legal Jobs Are
Litigation General business/commercial law
Intellectual property Labor and employment Energy/oil and gas Real estate Family law Privacy, data security and information law
Regulatory/compliance
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Lawyers were asked, “Which one of the following practice areas will offer the greatest number of job opportunities in the second half of 2014?”
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 200 lawyers with the largest law firms and companies in the U.S.
4%
4%
3%
2%
3%
Litigation to Drive Legal Hiring
Insurance defense Commercial litigation Personal injury Employment Class actions Intellectual property Other
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Lawyers who cited “litigation” as a response also were asked,
“Which of the following areas of litigation, if any, will offer the greatest job opportunities in the second half of 2014?”
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 200 lawyers with the largest law firms and companies in the U.S.
30%
31%
20%
4%
15%
3%
16%
Expertise Outside the Legal Field
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Computer science, engineering
Experience with regulatory matters and government contracts
Knowledge of technology issues
Deep knowledge of a particular industry or sector
Technology Skills in Demand
MS Office
Time and billing programs
Case filing and case management
Advanced Proficiency Needed in:
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Legal research platforms Practice management software
Smart phone and tablet apps
New Legal Career Paths
• Technology presenting new opportunities
– eDiscovery
– Information management
– Technology-based litigation support
• Advanced certification and education
– ACEDS Certification
• More opportunities for career growth
– Data scientist
– Forensic specialist
– Litigation support manager/director/analyst – eDiscovery project manager
– Sales professionals and software developers
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28% of lawyers surveyed are more likely to make a counteroffer compared to a year ago*
55% said their law firm or company offered increased compensation or bonuses to
retain legal employees*
Compensation Outlook - 2014
• Organizations competing for top talent
– Multiple employment offers
– Signing bonuses – Counteroffers more
common
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Average starting salaries in the legal profession should increase 2.7%
according to the Robert Half Legal 2014 Salary Guide
28%
50%
*Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 350 lawyers with the largest law firms and corporations in the United States and Canada.
50%
Positions in Demand
New England: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT Middle Atlantic: NJ, NY, PA
South Atlantic: DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV West South Central: AR, LA, OK, TX
East North Central: IL, IN, MI, OH, WI East South Central: AL, KY, MS, TN Pacific: AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
West North Central: IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD Mountain: AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY
PACIFIC
1. Real Estate Paralegal 2. Litigation Legal
Secretary
3. Litigation Associate 4. Contract
Administrator 5. Lawyer
WEST NORTH CENTRAL 1. Paralegal
2. Legal Secretary 3. Contract Manager 4. Lawyer
5. Compliance Manager
SOUTH ATLANTIC 1. Legal Secretary 2. Paralegal 3. Corporate
Paralegal 4. Litigation
Paralegal 5. Lawyer
EAST NORTH CENTRAL 1. Legal Secretary 2. Compliance Analyst 3. Intellectual Property
Attorney 4. Paralegal
5. Contract Administrator
MIDDLE ATLANTIC 1. Real Estate
Paralegal 2. Legal Secretary 3. Contract
Manager 4. In-House
Counsel
5. Patent Attorney NEW ENGLAND 1. Paralegal 2. Legal Secretary 3. Contract
Administrator 4. Contract
Manager 5. Litigation
Paralegal
MOUNTAIN 1. Paralegal 2. Legal Secretary 3. Contract
Administrator 4. Legal Assistant 5. In-House Counsel
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Lawyers were asked: “What’s the best indicator of a job applicant’s potential for success in your organization?”
Gauging a Job Seeker’s Success
Previous work experience or prestige of former law firm/company Referral from a current employee or member of network
Educational background Work ethic
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 200 lawyers with the largest law firms and companies in the U.S.
21%
49%
4%
11%
3%
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Personality/ability to fit in with others/corporate culture
Salaries for U.S. Markets
Litigation Support Manager (3-6 years’ exp.)
CHICAGO, IL
$82,410 - $105,472 NEW YORK, NY
$94,470 - $120,908
MIAMI, FL
$71,489 - $91,495 DALLAS, TX
$70,685 - $90,466 SEATTLE, WA
$79,663 - $101,957
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$90,785 - $116,191
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LOS ANGELES, CA
$83,750 - $107,188
Standing Out on the Legal Job Hunt
Experience to highlight:
Types of projects
Types of document reviews Technical skills
Leading teams or managing projects
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Look at project work besides full-time roles
Use all the job-hunting tools available
Give yourself structure, establish routines 1
2 3
4 Stay open and flexible
An Extended Job Search
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Questions?
• For more information, visit Robert Half Legal’s Salary Center
• Download latest Robert Half Legal Salary Guide
• Access Salary Calculator
• Learn about hiring trends and positions in demand
21 © 2014 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.
