These are the most sought-after skills in the legal sector right now

Employers expect both permanent and contract staff levels to increase

These are the most sought-after skills in the legal sector right now

Certain skills are emerging as in demand based on vacancy activity, according to the July to December “Hays Jobs Report.”

The report revealed that 47% of employers expect to hire more permanent staff, while 22% expect to increase use of temporary and contract staff. According to the “2018-19 Hays Salary Guide,” 24% of employers already use temporary and contract staff, up one percentage point from last year.

These are the most in-demand lawyers and skills, according to Hays:

  • Inhouse construction and property lawyers with at least three years’ PQE
  • Residential and commercial conveyancers
  • Commercial litigation lawyers with general commercial skills
  • Commercial contract lawyers
  • Legal counsel with relevant industry experience
  • Lawyers with three to eight years PAE, particularly in commercial property, commercial litigation, construction, construction litigation, and family law
  • Experienced partners with portable practices
  • Registered migration agents and immigration lawyers
  • Lawyers with financial regulatory experience
  • Commercial and probity experience, with ICT procurement expertise
  • Freedom of information officers
  • Legal policy officers
  • Commercial and generalist lawyers with inhouse government backgrounds

Two thirds of employers will give in-house legal professionals a pay raise of less than 3% in their next review. About a tenth will not increase salaries. A fifth intend to give staff 3% to 6% salary increases. Only 6% of employers will give increases of 6% or more.

 

Related stories:
In-house counsel shouldn’t expect a big pay bump this year
What skills are hottest in the legal profession right now?

 

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