The change we reported in our last newsletter is occurring as we speak. Many large law firms have eliminated on campus recruiting and/or summer programs. Many firms are realizing that it is simply not feasible to bring in a large group of young attorneys when the needs of each practice group are uncertain. There is no way to predict, especially in a volatile market, what types of needs each practice group in a firm will have over the next few years. Hiring a legal placement firm such as ours is the wave of the future! We can bring a law firm exactly what is needed, when it is needed.

The Midwest seems to be the best place to be growing a law firm right now, as evidenced by some recent large law firm expansions into Chicago. The Midwest is a more stable marketplace and because of this, firms with offices in the Midwest have the opportunity to offer national and regional clients competitive, reasonable rates.

As our previous newsletters have predicted, the market continues to show increasing signs of positive change. For example, we just received our first corporate associate assignment in over a year! Also, some Ohio-based companies are currently looking to add corporate people.

Many of our mid-sized law firm clients have even reported record profits in 2008! The areas of practice that seem to be thriving despite the economy are bankruptcy, employment, litigation, health care, environmental and energy.

A market such as the one we are in has been a valuable lesson to many of our candidates. Private practice candidates have reported to us that they are now certain that business development is an absolute necessity for attorneys.  A portable book of business provides job security in any type of economy.

We know that in this economy, everyone is working harder with less to show for it. We understand that your organization has needs, but may not be in the best position to pay a market value recruiting fee. We understand that when the deals and transactions are not occurring at the average pace, cash flow can be at a minimum for some of our clients. As always, we are willing to work with you on flexible rates and payment schedules so that you can continue to add top-notch legal professionals to your organizations.