SlideShare Friday: The 2016 Outlook for the Legal Profession

In just about two weeks, we’ll be headed into the fourth and final quarter of 2016.  Strategic planning for the next year, if it hasn’t already started, is likely to begin in earnest.

Robert Half Legal recently published survey data on the outlook for 2016, which looked at both demand and compensation expectations.  The presentation is embedded below and it’s this week’s Friday Share.

According to the presentation:

• Skilled talent shortage. 64% of lawyers polled said finding skilled legal professionals is a challenge.
• Practice areas of opportunity. The top practice areas likely to  generate the most jobs in the next 24 months include:
  • Litigation: 33%
  • General business/commercial law: 26%
  • Healthcare: 7%
  • Real estate: 6%
  • Intellectual property: 6%
• Starting salaries are expected to rise 3.1% on average. A seasoned attorney with 10 or more years in a mid-sized law firm will likely find a 4.7% increase. A veteran paralegal or legal assistant with 7 or more years – in a small or mid-sized law firm – will see an increase of 4%.

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The full presentation also breaks down the fastest growing practice areas by geography (US only) and legal professional positions in demand, including contract attorneys. The organization also offers a 2016 salary guide and salary calculator, both of which can be downloaded or access without registration.

Photo credit: Flickr, Jeramey Jannene, Binoculars at The Top of the Rock (CC BY 2.0)