Answering Some Questions

I've received several questions over the past couple of weeks.  In the next few posts, I will try to address some of them.  If you wish to email me, you can reach me at hiringpartneroffice@gmail.com.  I can't promise that I can respond to every question, but I will try to address the most pertinent ones here. 

One party asked about "hot" practice areas in the next 5-10 years.  Well, if I knew the answer to 10 years out, I wouldn't be HP billing time, I'd find some better use of my omniscient skills.  At least in the short term, though, here;s my thoughts.

First, "hot" areas may vary by geography.  Do some Internet sleuthing and check top recruiter websites for jobs in your geographic area.  There are national legal recruiters as well as more localized ones.  See where they have multiple listings.  Right now, of course, corporate is slow, particularly capital markets work. Litigation hiring remains steady. In down economic times, there tends to be more litigation.  Certain regulated industries seem to have multiple job openings (e.g., energy). But if you have no interest in energy law (I have no such interest and it would bore me beyond comprehension), keep looking.  Bankruptcy and tax appear to be stable. 

Intellectual property similarly remains solid, if you have the right experience.  In a new administration, we will see certain areas with increased need, but as to which ones, that remains to be seen.

The bottom line is that you need to practice in an area where you have a strong interest.  Life is too short to suffer through hideous projects you hate.  We all work on tedious assignments from time to time, but don't feign interest in bankruptcy if it would pain you more than sitting through "Mamma Mia."