According to Reuters, law firms are still hiring — but the post-pandemic frenzy is over. No more panic offers. No more “we’ll figure out utilisation later.”
Instead, firms are asking awkward questions again:
• Do we actually need this role?
• Will this practice still be busy in 18 months?
• Is this hire profitable or just comforting?
For lawyers, that feels like a slowdown.
For firms, it’s sanity returning.
The winners right now are specialists, litigators, regulatory lawyers, and people who can clearly explain what they do and why it matters. The losers are vague CVs and “general experience” pitches that worked in 2021.
This isn’t bad news. It’s a market growing up.
And for those paying attention, it’s also a reminder: careers are built on skills, not hiring cycles.
