Market Update – October
A quick note to provide you with a market update and, in particular, to draw your attention to some of the latest opportunities we are currently acting on.
In general, domestic recruitment activity levels amongst our law firm clients remain steady in respect of both fee earners and business services. However, there is considerable activity in areas such as Shipping and Corporate Insurance. There is also significant demand for partners, counsel and associates in Financial Services Regulation and Funds and this, together with Shipping, is an area we are very focused on just now.
Within business services, HR Directors continue to look very closely at their cost base and new ways of doing things. We expect to see an uptick in demand of HR Business Partners and Interim HR professionals. Demand for Business Development Managers, particularly those with sector-specific experience, is also in evidence.
In East Anglia, a number of clients report a growing demand for construction and real estate lawyers.
Further afield in the Middle East, clients report that economic activity in Dubai, in particular, is on a firmer footing than hitherto and that this could well lead to further recruitment. The demand for construction lawyers remains strong. We also expect to see an increase in demand for projects lawyers in Doha. Demand in business services is more muted.