MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Though the economy is showing nascent 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.

"To retain existing clients and grow revenue, law firms are focusing on improving service levels and seeking associates with experience in high-demand practice areas, such as litigation and bankruptcy," said Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal. "Our research also shows that corporate legal departments are bringing more work in-house and hiring staff who possess specialized skills in an effort to control spending on outside counsel."

Volkert 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. "Using a mix of full-time and interim professionals affords law offices the flexibility to expand and contract their legal teams as necessary, and keep personnel costs in check."

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 attorneys who can represent corporate clients in areas such as insurance defense and commercial litigation, among others.
• Regulatory and compliance - The global financial crisis is expected to result in greater government regulation, increasing demand for attorneys with regulatory backgrounds.
• Energy/environmental law - As "green" initiatives make gains, attorneys with expertise in these areas will remain marketable.
• Bankruptcy/foreclosure - The economic downturn has heightened the need for lawyers with experience handling complex bankruptcy and foreclosure matters, including restructuring and litigation.
• Healthcare - The healthcare sector is expected to remain active, due in part to new reform legislation, generating demand for attorneys and paralegals with biotechnology and pharmaceutical expertise.
• Corporate transactional - As legal departments reduce their spending on outside counsel, there is an increased need for attorneys 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 nationwide 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 Center at www.roberthalflegal.com/SalaryCenter.

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 attorneys, paralegals and legal support personnel, on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Legal offers online job search services at www.roberthalflegal.com.

SOURCE Robert Half Legal

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