Robert Half International News Release (03/13/12)

More than one-quarter (26%) of the attorneys interviewed for the quarterly Robert Half Legal Hiring Index plan to hire full-time legal staff during the second quarter of 2012, while 4% anticipate staff reductions. The net 22% increase in hiring activity compares with a net hiring increase of 27% predicted in the first quarter of 2012. Some 57% of attorneys polled expect no change in staff levels in the next three months. More than half (59%) of the attorneys say it is challenging to find skilled legal professionals, up eight points from the previous quarter. Hiring activity is expected to take place predominantly at law firms, and bankruptcy or foreclosure, litigation, and general business or commercial law are the practice areas expected to see the most growth in the coming months.