Hot Legal Jobs

The 2008 Salary Guide, published by Robert Half Legal, a legal staffing company, identifies the following five positions as “in-demand” in 2008.

First-year associates: Competition has increased 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 in high demand.
Patent attorneys: Demand is high for attorneys with trial expertise at law firms specializing in intellectual property or information technology, biotechnology and health care industries.
In-house attorneys: To meet ongoing corporate governance requirements, companies are seeking experienced attorneys with regulatory compliance, corporate and security law, and commercial litigation backgrounds.
Litigation paralegals: Paralegal hiring remains steady as law offices continue to build teams to handle rising caseloads. Law firms who are managing an increasingly high volume of lawsuits seek litigation paralegals.
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.

State Bar of Wisconsin