Outside legal spending in the country fell even harder, tumbling 5 percent in the U.S. and 6 percent across the world. The numbers are somewhat surprising when one considers that each of the last nine years demonstrated increases between 5 and 9 percent in total legal spending.
However, while in-house legal departments have cut their spending, inside legal spending, or spending within law firms, increased 1 percent in the U.S. and 2 percent worldwide.
Participants were asked about their feelings concerning the legal market. One of the items they were asked was to state what areas of practice were going to increase in need. 44 percent said regulatory practice, 39 percent said employment and labor, 35 percent said government relations, and another 35 percent said international.
The survey asked participants what they had anticipated for the legal job market. 51 percent of those participating in the United States said they thought staffing levels would remain the same, 41 percent anticipated an increase, and only 8 percent thought there would be a decrease.
Lauren Chung, the survey editor, sent out a press release, stating, ''Most law departments do not appear to be reducing staff as a cost-savings measure. Many departments are seeking to enhance their internal capabilities to do even more. As a result, significant decreases in inside legal staffing are unlikely.''
