Tough times for lawyers mean tough times for legal recruiters. Law firm downsizing due to the economy has resulted in more potential candidates on the market but significantly fewer openings to fill. Furthermore, the large law firm model is changing, affecting the numbers of new lawyers and junior associates hired. Partner demand remains strong, but law firms are setting higher bars regarding the size of portable books of business, and they generally are more risk-averse.
Since legal recruiters earn a fee by placing a lawyer in a job, and so few jobs are available — and many of those not handled by recruiters — legal search firms are feeling the squeeze. Consequently, legal recruiting firms also have downsized or left the market completely. The situation in California is reflected elsewhere in the country, specifically in New York, Washington and Chicago, with some variations. Recruiters across the nation face new realities in law firm hiring for the foreseeable future and beyond.
