Last year we saw firms hire at unprecedented rates. However, the legal market in California is back to pre-pandemic hiring trends. This year we are seeing firms hire selectively, offer lower sign-on bonuses, and reduce the opportunity for fully remote work. The market is becoming even more competitive as attorneys vie for positions at the most prestigious firms.
This year 587 associates have made lateral moves within AmLaw 200 firms in California.
Some of those hires broken down by the numbers were the following: litigation associates at the top of the pack with 198 new hires, corporate being second with 127 recruits, followed by L&E with 112, IP with 55, and real estate with 35.
Currently, we are seeing that the firms hiring are more selective in their process and taking longer to hire. They are looking for candidates from peer firms, with excellent academic credentials. Last year, we saw a significant increase in the numbers that BigLaw was receiving with lateral hires from smaller firms. Unfortunately, we are seeing less of that now unless applicants graduated from top 20 law schools and are doing sophisticated work.
The current California AmLaw200 job market has 126 corporate associate openings- with firms primarily seeking attorneys with M&A, Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Funds experience. There are 123 Litigation openings with most firms seeking mid-level associates with commercial litigation experience. Labor & Employment has shown a large increase in need and firms are looking for associates with 3+ years of experience handling litigation and counseling. IP Litigation and Prosecution are also on the rise with firms looking for associates with electrical, mechanical, computer science, or life science backgrounds. Real Estate candidates continue to be the purple unicorn, with firms looking to hire anyone with 3+ years of commercial real estate experience.
For attorneys looking to make a move in California, it is important to be strategic and understand the needs of the firms you are targeting in your job search. Firms are not just hiring for bodies, they want candidates that will add value and contribute to their practice. It is important to have a solid understanding of your practice area and what you can bring to the table. With the legal market becoming more competitive, it is also important to stand out from the crowd. One way to do so is to tailor your resume for your dream job. We help our candidates review, advise, and help tailor a focused resume for each position you target. We will also help prepare you for interviews, help promote your strengths and work to secure the best offer.
If you are an attorney looking to move, now is a great time to start your search. Despite the competitiveness in the current market, there is still a robust number of openings. We know that our team here at Vine Attorney Search can still help you find the perfect match!
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