Lawyers' Compensation Not Growing
Legal Support Staff Spread Thinner

Lawyers' Compensation Not Growing

Even firms that are generally reluctant to take on new staff remain receptive to hiring experienced lawyers with portable books of business. On the other hand, demand for junior associates has declined and many have experienced layoffs, especially at the large firm level.

Technology firms and government employers are keeping demand steady for lawyers specializing in intellectual property and regulatory issues, particularly in Ottawa and Toronto. Litigation expertise is also a sought-after practice area. Specialties that relate to economic conditions, such as insolvency and restructuring, labour and employment, family law, personal injury and criminal matters, are active. Bilingual lawyers and support professionals who are fluent in both English and French continue to be in demand. Hiring activity is strongest at midsize firms. National law firms, still feeling the effects of the business downturn, are expected to remain cautious about adding full-time staff.

Lawyers are experiencing flat or slightly declining compensation at almost every level in both law firms and corporate legal departments. In-house counsel salaries also have not increased. Some firms and corporations see the difficult job market as a good opportunity to upgrade their workforce and selectively hire professionals who have proven difficult to recruit in better economic periods.

Legal Support Staff Spread Thinner

Law firms are hiring fewer legal secretaries. In the past, firms often aimed for a 1:1 working relationship; now, it is increasingly common for one secretary to support two or three lawyers. Demand for law clerks and paralegals has also stabilized.

Support professionals who have solid academic credentials, formal certification and training from recognized institutions will find the most opportunities in a competitive job market. Those who are fluent in English and French should continue to have an advantage. Specialized knowledge gained through graduate degrees or continuing education courses also will increase a job candidate's employment prospects.