The Australian legal market has remained resilient despite the worldwide economic slowdown in 2020 but is now experiencing turmoil as new challenges arise.
During the last fiscal year, legal service demand in Australia grew 6.5% in the first quarter but experienced a 4.4% contraction during the 4th quarter. These figures are according to the just released 2022 Australia: State of the Legal Market Report. Once outperforming its global counterparts, Australia’s legal industry is facing turmoil–uncertainty over inflation, international conflict, and the shortage of legal talent.
Despite this looming economic slowdown and the downturn of the legal market, corporate law firms expect a strong year due to companies’ growing demand for advice in decarbonisation and energy transition. Meanwhile, the legal talent thins down as young lawyers head overseas for opportunities because of the highly competitive needs the legal industry expects of its young talents.
In a report published by Thomson Reuters Institute and the Melbourne Law School, along with management consulting firm Barolsky Advisors and ESPconnect, a legal tech firm, the fundamentals of the Australian legal market is still solid despite the currently turbulent business conditions.
With the trouble looming worldwide and Australia no exception, the legal industry must also prepare for the worst. This article will help you understand what changes you need to make in your office.
Here are some common problems your law firm could encounter or has already encountered:
Lawyer Burnout
A company’s biggest asset is its people. This claim is probably more significant to law firms as lawyers are your biggest asset because what you are selling is legal expertise. Lawyer burnout is heightening as demand for legal services increases while it is getting harder to hire lawyers.
But how do we take care of our lawyers?
Australia, thus far, has been successful in keeping its lawyers content with their compensation. It is easiest to provide lawyers with reasonable salaries and benefits. It is also beneficial for a law firm to improve its company culture and arrange wellness offerings.
Sudo Staff recommends giving our lawyers support staff who will take care of menial day-to-day tasks so that lawyers can focus on their expertise. This support will lessen their chances of being physically and mentally exhausted.
Talent Retention
Dubbed “The Great Resignation”, it has been evident that a significant number of the working population has left their job all around the world, which has seen job vacancies at a record high. Australia’s legal talent turnover has been relatively high, with 31.6% of associates resigning in the past year–higher than their counterparts in the United States.
What can we do about it?
Talent retention all comes down to how your employees feel. Some things you can do to avoid high turnover are to:
- Recruit the right people
- Create growth opportunities for your employees
- Provide good compensation
- Give appealing benefits to employees
- Mind employee wellness
- Communicate with your employees
- Give recognition and rewards
Talent Recruitment
Talent recruitment is continually a struggle for companies, especially in the legal sector. Employers are struggling to attract Lawyers and entry-level positions, more so to retain them.
The times have changed, evident in the culture gap between senior lawyers and the younger generation. Gone are the days when new employees suck up to the management to keep the job or get promoted. Unlike in the past, when most employees try to remain in a company for a long time and even retire only working in one company, young talents do not mind jumping from one position to another to ensure their wellness comes first before work. Their demand from companies is increasing just as companies have high expectations of their candidates.
Digitalisation
Australian law firm partners seem to bear a load heavier each year. This load also comes with tremendous pressure to adapt to their evolving role and the importance of adopting new technologies. Law firms must learn to adapt to digitalisation or suffer from burnt-out employees and higher turnover rates.
There are multiple legal case and practice management software available in the market, and we must utilise this to help our lawyers overcome exhaustion, leading to talent retention.
Talents are also no longer limited to local candidates. Many companies have adopted the idea of hiring global talents, which is easier than you would think. Many recruitment platforms have appeared over the years to help you get started, so it definitely won’t be a problem.
Clients’ demand for digitalisation is increasing as most are looking for convenience and safety from public exposure more than the price of the service. Law firms must adapt to the client’s needs or lose from law firms who have already acquired digitalisation in their favour.
Employee Competency
Another significant challenge that law firms face is employee competency. As a law firm, you must be able to provide your talents with professional development opportunities. Another given is that a company is continuously updated with current legislation.
Aside from competent lawyers, you must also find time to train your newly recruited office staff or, even better, employ already skilled personnel in the legal field to be able for them to help your lawyers with some tasks. This advantage will make the training more manageable. Besides, you hired them to lessen your lawyers’ workload, right?
But how do I find an entry-level staff who has enough experience?
Easy-peasy! You’re already here. Sudo Staff is an Australian company that provides offshore staff to businesses across Australia. Our principals have been providing legal support services since 2010. Our remote staff are already trained to work for law firms like yours, especially in Conveyancing, Estates, and Family Law.
Remote legal support staff? Will that work for a law firm?
Definitely! Remote staff are just as effective as an employee working at the office. They can answer calls, take care of your email, prepare office documents, and much more! If you are interested in knowing more about remote workers, you might want to read YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HIRING REMOTE WORKERS.
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