At JLegal, we pride ourselves on having an in-depth understanding of the Australian legal job market, especially when it comes to opportunities in private practice. As an industry-leading legal recruitment agency, we have our finger on the pulse of hiring trends, salaries, and the competitive landscape that shaped private practice recruitment in 2023 and into 2024 and beyond.
Over the last year, we witnessed considerable growth in law firm jobs across the major east coast markets. Law firm jobs in Sydney and Melbourne were increasingly plentiful, fuelled by increased work and expansion plans. Top firms were actively recruiting to backfill departures and launch practice area growth. This created ample openings for talented lawyers to take their careers to the next level.
Simultaneously, client demand for experienced practitioners drove a spike in senior associate roles within law firms. For lawyers with 5-8 years experience under their belt, opportunities to progress into these established positions were excellent. Salary packages became increasingly competitive, as shown by the latest data.
At JLegal, our specialist legal recruiters leverage our strong connections with the country’s most reputable law firms to match high potential candidates with these growing private practice job openings. For those feeling stuck in their current role, exploring Sydney legal recruitment options may pave the way to challenging new partner-track positions.
Robust Job Growth in Private Practice
Despite a decline post July 2023, the private practice legal job market is still quite buoyant in certain areas of law, with major national and international firms actively looking to expand their talent pools, particularly in Sydney ,Melbourne and Brisbane..
2022-2023 proved to be an extremely active period for dealmaking and transactions. With local and cross-border matters on the uptick, several marquee firms added partners to enhance their capability. Others restructured practice groups or launched new industry specialty areas.
With deal volumes rumoured to increase in 2023, net lawyer headcount is projected to grow by at least 5% across private practices in 2024. This search for talent’ is still creating a significant movement within legal recruitment, especially in Sydney. It’s also prompting firms to recruit beyond the traditional law graduate pool by tapping lateral lawyers with at least 3 to 6 years experience.
Within Sydney, many of the top tier and mid tier firms were among those listing 50+ open roles in recent months. From solicitor openings to senior associate, there’s still a good number of quality private practice opportunities spanning all areas of law.
For skilled lawyers seeking new challenges, the buoyant activity provides options to specialise, transition into more dynamic firms, move overseas or leverage multiple offers to accelerate promotions. By partnering with expert legal recruitment agencies, you can explore these private practice jobs in confidence.
JLegal’s Specialist Recruitment Service
With a vast experience in legal recruitment, JLegal has established itself as a market leader in Australia. We act as a specialist recruitment partner to both legal professionals and law firms across the country.
Our team combines recruitment expertise with an in-depth understanding of the Australian legal sector. Many of our consultants are former lawyers themselves. This allows us to provide tailored career guidance and job search support to lawyers seeking their next role.
JLegal has strong working relationships with prestigious law firms in all states. We partner with top national and global firms to help fill their talent needs with exceptional candidates.
Whether you are an ambitious solicitor looking to progress into one of the many available senior associate positions, or a practice group head helping to grow your team, JLegal has the network and insight to assist.
If exploring new private practice jobs in 2024, arrange a confidential consultation with one of JLegal’s expert legal recruiters. Discover why we’re regarded as one of Australia’s best legal recruitment agencies.
Higher Salaries Draw Top Talent
Law firms are still competing hard to win over the best lawyers and legal professionals from both rival law firms and in-house. Central to this is the attraction of higher pay packets.
The latest 2023 data reveal that private practice compensation has been rising steadily above inflation. A compelling mix of base salary, bonuses and profit share is being utilized to sweeten job offers.
For example, research shows 10-15% increases for private practice solicitors and Legal Counsel roles over the past year. Salaries for 4-6 year qualified Senior Associates rose by over 15%, nudging close to the $180k mark in cases.
As a specialist recruiter, we’re also seeing public and private sector lawyers with 5-15 years experience strongly consider moving to pursue new challenges and increased pay. Many have spent years specialising in areas like competition law, tax, M&A, employment or IP – making them prime targets for recruitment into private practice.
Whether you’re just starting out as a junior lawyer or looking to fast track your career as a seasoned legal professional, explore how the buoyant legal salary guide could boost your future earnings potential. Get in touch with the expert JLegal team to discuss your options in confidence.
JLegal Partners with Top Firms
At JLegal, our recruitment success is underpinned by strong working relationships with the country’s most prestigious law firms. We partner with leading legal recruiters across all states to support their talent acquisition needs.
Having placed candidates in roles across Australia for over sixteen years, we enjoy long standing partnerships with marquee names in the legal industry.
JLegal also works closely with boutique, mid-tier and national firms as their trusted recruitment advisor, providing access to our unrivaled network of legal professionals. Whether you desire a role in a top-tier global giant or seek the close knit culture of a specialist outfit, JLegal opens doors.
Arrange a confidential consultation and discover why we’re viewed among the best legal recruitment agencies in Sydney.
Still a Bright Future for Lawyer Job Seekers
Australia’s economic momentum and business optimism will return and will continue to drive law firm growth plans over the coming years. With increased company formations, regulatory changes and disputed matters, legal demand looks set to remain elevated across private practice.
This positive outlook means job opportunities in private practice recruitment will continue to expand in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane especially. For both newly admitted graduates and lateral lawyers assessing options, flexibility and career progression may be greater in smaller, ambitiously growing firms.
However, the attraction of larger firms remains the training, variety of work and opportunity for international secondments on offer. Navigating these choices is where the experience of our consultants proves invaluable – from identifying transferable skills and right fit firms, to negotiating job offers.
Conclusion
If you are a legal professional considering your next career move or desire expert counsel on Australia’s buoyant industry hiring trends, get in touch with our experienced recruitment team today.
Whether you are an admitted solicitor, senior associate, practice group head or aspiring law graduate, we provide specialised career coaching, career guidance and job search support.
Let us match your skills, aspirations and location preferences to current private practice jobs and upcoming opportunities suited to your experience. With roles emerging daily across the country’s top law firms, we can connect you with your ideal legal recruitment agency opening.
To discuss your career goals or talk through current market insights, contact our knowledgeable consultants online and discover how we can accelerate your legal career growth in 2024.
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Legal careers are still on an upward trend in 2024! 📈 Our latest blog explores the recruitment landscape in Australian private practice:- senior lawyer salaries for top candidates still on the rise, ample law firm job jobs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and how teaming up with specialist recruiters can help fast-track your legal career aspirations. 🚀