• LEGAL

  • INTRODUCTION

    The global legal employment market continues to navigate significant transformation driven by responsible AI, emerging markets and evolving client expectations. Positively, profits per equity partner have risen on average by 11.6% and demand for legal services have increased by 2.6%, the strongest growth since before the 2008 financial crisis (Legal IO: State of the legal market 2025: Adapting to change amid record profits).

    According to Thomson Reuters global demand surged in Q3 2025, with a 3.9% year-on-year increase, making it the fourth-highest quarter for business activity in 20 years, particularly in transactional practices (Thomson Reuters: Law firms reach new heights amid historic demand surge). Yet research shows that almost 96% of legal leaders report challenges finding skilled talent, despite 50% planning to hire for new permanent roles.

    The alternative legal services market exemplifies the sector's evolution, growing to $28.5 billion with an 18% compound annual growth rate from 2021 to 2023, driven by an increasing number of corporate law departments using Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) (LawSites: Alternative Legal Services Market Grows to $28.5B). Meanwhile, economic uncertainty has prompted more mid-level professionals to move in-house, seeking stability and an improved work-life balance, creating notable gaps in law firms' mid-level ranks. This bifurcation between forward-looking firms embracing technology and traditional practitioners signals a market at an inflection point, where adaptability and innovation will determine competitive advantage.

  • PRIVATE PRACTICE

    UK PRIVATE PRACTICE MARKET TRENDS

    Access commentary on the UK private practice market trends, written by our Legal, Risk & Compliance Managing Director. Points include market conditions, salary changes, hiring trends, what firms need to implement in 2026 to attract top talent and how professionals can enhance their career prospects.

    US PRACTICE MARKET TALENT TRENDS

    Access commentary on the US practic market, written by our Legal, Risk & Compliance Managing Director, and Business Manager. Points include why firms are getting ruthless about lateral fit, what firms need to implement in 2026 to attract top talent and how professionals can enhance their career prospects.

    SCOTTISH PRACTICE MARKET TRENDS

    Access commentary on the Scottish practice legal market written by our Legal, Risk & Compliance Managing Director and Head of Recruitment for Scotland. Points include factors affecting business growth and employment, the growing renewable energy sector and how that’s impacting salaries, how firms can attract the best talent, and how professionals can maximise their employment prospects.

  • IN-HOUSE, RISK & COMPLIANCE

    INSURANCE RISK, COMPLIANCE AND CO-SEC TRENDS

    Access commentary on the Insurance Risk, Compliance and Company Secretarial in the insurance sector written by our Legal, Risk & Compliance Managing Director. Points include hiring trends, market conditions impacting employment, in-demand skills, and employment moves.

    IN-HOUSE COUNSEL TRENDS

    Access commentary on the UK in-house employment market, written by our Legal, Risk & Compliance Managing Director. Points include market conditions, salary changes, hiring, what firms need to implement in 2026 to attract top talent and how professionals can enhance their career prospects.

    GLOBAL TRANSACTIONAL RISK MARKET

    Access commentary on the global transactional risk market written by our Legal, Risk & Compliance Managing Director. Points include market conditions, salary changes, hiring, what firms need to implement in 2026 to attract top talent and how professionals can enhance their career prospects.

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