Law firms seek changing skill-set for new business models

Law firms seek changing skill-set for new business models
A survey of legal hiring trends reveals the changing demands of law firms as the profession moves into new business models. Recruiter Robert Half examined thousands of job orders and placements and found that in-demand skills are changing and compensation for the right candidates are increasing.
As older lawyers retire, firms are considering how to be more attractive to millennials (generation Z) and embracing flexible working, training, home-working and flexible dress codes.
Strong technology skills are important for firms, especially in legal support positions where there is a blending of paralegal/legal secretary roles. Foreign language skills are also in-demand with greater cross-border work.
There is also an increasing demand for junior lawyers as clients demand lower fees, although the demand is still below pre-recession rates.
 
International firm appoints 50 new partners
US-headquartered law firm K&L Gates has appointed 50 partners across its international offices. In Asia-Pacific the new partners are: Steven Wulff (patents) in Melbourne; Lucy Williams (disputes) in Sydney; Cindy Hong (compliance) in Shanghai; Ashish Chugh (arbitration) in Singapore; and Grace Fan-Delatour (energy) in Beijing.
 
Simmons & Simmons announces new global employment head
Julian Taylor has been appointed global head of the employment, pensions and incentives group, succeeding Simon Watson, who has become the firm’s first general counsel. Managing partner Jeremy Hoyland commented that the practice is key to the firm’s international success.
 
Lawyers weigh in on US presidential campaigns
While presidential hopes Ted Cruz and Donald Trump are in the long battle for the White House their lawyers are also weighing-in. Trump’s lawyer Jeffrey Goldman has sent Cruz a cease-and-desist letter demanding that his campaign stops using a clip from 1999 in which Trump says he is pro-choice for abortion laws. NBC News reports that in a press conference Cruz said that Trump should go ahead with court action: "Mr. Trump, you have been threatening frivolous lawsuits for your entire adult life. Even in the annals of frivolous lawsuits, this takes the cake.”