Canadian Lawyer

September 2022

The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers

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www.canadianlawyermag.com 5 ship with their jobs. A "mercenary" attitude developed. It became just about the work, and lawyers examined whether the work, the required hours, the company, or the industry provided satisfaction. "There was a huge appetite shift. We saw a lot of churn in the market, a lot of people making moves," Usher says. In the summer of 2021, US firms descended "like a pack of wolves" on Canadian associates, with salary offerings roughly double what was available on this side of the border, says Usher. Some firms "were really gutted," and every large firm was affected. Lawyers from mid-sized and smaller firms could take big-law opportunities that would not have previously been avail- able. Firms raised salaries to stem the cross- border flow. Sinai adds that around 20 percent of ZSA's Bay Street corporate M&A clients migrated to the US. Now, in 2022, the US firms have largely sated their appetite, but there is still a lot of movement, says Usher – including from private practice to in-house. "There has been a huge, significant rise in in-house opportunities that have flourished, anywhere from a second-year in-house counsel all the way through to GC-level roles," says Sinai. Usher, an in-house lawyer before joining "It's still a job-seekers' market, and the struggle for legal talent continues" Michelle Dunnill, Robert Half Talent Solutions ZSA in 2015, says that while in-house salaries lag behind those of private practice, lawyers are attracted to working for only one client and not billing their time. It is also an opportunity to "flex your business muscle and use your legal skills and talents in a different way" while learning about an industry and providing business value in addition to legal value. "It's a very healthy and fruitful market for lawyers," says Sinai. "I think that a lot of lawyers right now don't understand how many opportunities are out there. But we do think the market may change by the end of this year because we're noticing a little bit of economic slowdown. So, I think if anyone's looking to make a move, this is their time to shine." LAWYERS IN DEMAND Source: Robert Half Talent Solutions, "The Demand for Skilled Talent" 58% Firms and legal depts hiring new permanent positions in the first half of 2022 51% Firms and legal depts hiring contract employees in 2022 99% Firms and legal depts saying finding skilled candidates is challenging 94% Firms and legal depts concerned a valued employee will leave for new opportunities 36% Legal professionals planning to look for a new job offering remote work options if their employer requires a return to the office

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