Where the Legal Jobs Are in 2024

By Jamy J. Sullivan, J.D., Robert Half 

• Rising demand for specialized expertise: Legal professionals with 3-7 years of experience, particularly in litigation involving civil, class action and commercial matters, are in high demand. Corporate legal departments and small-to-midsize law firms are actively seeking these skill sets.
• Compensation strategies: Leadership and management experience top the list of skills warranting higher salaries, with 42% of managers willing to increase compensation for these skills. Research and information analysis (41%) and technical skills (37%) are close behind. Notably, 33% of managers are boosting pay for AI and machine learning expertise, highlighting the technological revolution sweeping the legal field.
• Flexible work: More than 4 in 10 (42%) legal professionals prioritize remote or hybrid work arrangements when considering job offers, suggesting that firms offering such options could have an edge in the talent market.
• Contract talent: To bridge skill and staffing gaps, the use of contract professionals is on the rise, especially in litigation support, eDiscovery and in-house counsel roles. This approach offers flexibility for both employers and contractors and helps build a diverse pool of experienced legal talent.

Industries hiring in 2024 

In 2024, several industries are set to lead the way in legal hiring, each fueled by its own set of needs and challenges:

• Financial services: This sector faces a continuous evolution of regulations, requiring legal expertise in compliance and risk management. The rapid growth in fintech and digital currencies further boosts the need for legal professionals with niche skills.
• Healthcare: With frequent updates in patient care regulations and the expansion of telehealth services, legal experts in healthcare are vital for ensuring compliance and addressing privacy concerns.
• Insurance: Legal professionals are increasingly in demand to manage complex claims, craft and revise policy documents, and ensure regulatory compliance in an industry transformed by the shift toward digital platforms and services.
• Manufacturing: The industry's legal needs span international trade agreements, intellectual property rights and labor laws, creating a steady demand for expertise.

• Contract manager: Vital in overseeing legal contracts, this role's importance has surged with the increase in global and more complex business dealings.
• In-house counsel: Junior in-house counsel are valued for their fresh perspectives and adaptability in corporate legal departments.
• Legal administrator: Like many businesses, legal departments and law firms are under pressure to produce more for less. Hiring legal administrators, often equipped with technology skills for efficient document management and process automation, is a cost-effective way to boost productivity.
• Manager of litigation support/eDiscovery: These professionals, particularly those with three to six years’ experience, are expected to be proficient in advanced eDiscovery software and data management tools, enabling them to efficiently handle and analyze extensive electronic data sets critical to modern litigation processes.
• Paralegal: The role of paralegals continues to expand, with responsibilities now extending beyond traditional legal research and documentation to more substantive legal work. Paralegals with a few years of experience are particularly valuable for taking on complex tasks and effectively supporting attorneys.
• Paralegal manager: With legal cases growing more complex, there's a pressing demand for skilled managers to coordinate detailed case research, document preparation and trial support. Their role ensures that paralegal teams effectively manage caseloads and adhere to tight deadlines while providing comprehensive support in both preparatory and courtroom settings.

Jamy J. Sullivan is executive director of the legal practice at Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm. Robert Half offers contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions, and is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm. Visit RobertHalf.com.