Hot Legal Jobs for 2008: Robert Half Legal Identifies High-Demand Positions

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Law firms are moving quickly to hire legal professionals with specialized expertise as they pursue plans to enhance services in high-growth practice areas and attract new business. Legal departments also are in need of skilled talent as they expand to meet ongoing corporate governance requirements, according to the 2008 Salary Guide from Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing service specializing in positions in the legal field.

"Intellectual property, litigation, corporate and security, and bankruptcy law are generating a significant amount of casework and a steady increase in demand for legal services," said Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal. "Many employers, particularly those at large and midsize law firms, are offering higher salaries to job candidates who possess the most sought after practice area expertise, certifications and technical skills." Following are five in-demand positions for 2008, according to Robert Half Legal:

    -- First-year associates - Competition has intensified among large and
       midsize law firms for graduates from the nation's leading law schools.
       Job candidates who have finished in the top 20 percent of their class
       or possess experience within a specific practice area are highly
       sought.

    -- Patent attorneys - Demand is robust for attorneys with trial expertise
       at law firms specializing in intellectual property or the information
       technology, biotechnology and healthcare industries.

    -- In-house attorneys - To meet ongoing corporate governance requirements,
       companies seek experienced attorneys with regulatory compliance,
       corporate and security law, and commercial litigation backgrounds.

    -- Litigation paralegals - The hiring of paralegals is expected to remain
       steady as law offices continue to build teams to handle rising
       caseloads. Litigation paralegals are sought by law firms who are
       managing an increasingly high volume of lawsuits.

    -- Intellectual property legal secretaries - The shortage of experienced
       support staff remains acute. Legal secretaries with trademark or patent
       experience, including patent prosecution, are in strong demand.

The Robert Half Legal 2008 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 more than 75 U.S. markets. A complimentary copy of the 2008 Salary Guide is available by calling 1-800-870-8367.

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 http://www.roberthalflegal.com.