According to analysis of our proprietary dataset of more than one million U.S. job postings, including 100,000 Robert Half placements, the legal job market saw bright spots throughout 2023. This is especially true in law firms, where openings for lawyers increased by 46% in the second half of the year after a slow first six months of hiring. Among the more than one million lawyers not self-employed, the annual unemployment rate was very low at just 0.5%, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For legal support roles, demand persisted throughout the latter half of the year. Legal secretaries, paralegals and other support staff saw annual unemployment rates as low as 0.9%, 1.7% and 0.5%, respectively. Paralegals across all levels of experience were highly sought after, from junior roles to senior positions demanding over seven years of experience.
The government sector significantly increased its hiring for legal roles by 73% compared to the previous year. This boost resulted in over 2,500 additional legal positions, notably in roles such as lawyer, contract administrator, legal assistant and paralegal.
Despite these positive trends, flexible work arrangements were less prevalent in legal roles. Only about one in four positions offered such flexibility in 2023, with most providing the option of hybrid work. Still, high-caliber professionals are drawn to flexible work. As more employers require more in-person time, legal organizations that can offer hybrid work schedules are particularly poised to distinguish themselves in the talent market.
The Demand for Skilled Talent report by Robert Half is an authoritative source providing essential insights into employment trends. This report has offered a deep dive into the U.S. hiring landscape for over a decade, spotlighting challenges and strategies to attract and retain talent. It explores what employees seek in their careers, identifies common recruitment errors and suggests solutions. The report spans finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources, proving crucial for business leaders and managers.
