Because the US and UK were among the hardest hit in the economic downturn, many industry spectators to predicted a deluge of lawyers returning to Australia and New Zealand seeking work. That mass repatriotisation has, however, failed to materialise. Firms looking to hire lawyers with recent experience overseas, therefore, have had to adjust their incentives to appeal to the small number of returning lawyers.
“We thought there would be a flood of lawyers coming back from the UK and the US and there certainly has been some, but I wouldn’t say there’s been a flood,” said Allens Arthur Robinson head of corporate Paul Quinn. “I think if we were going to see it in a major way we would have seen it by now.”
Returning lawyers have a different outlook in terms of where they want to go, Quinn said. Most of them are looking to make a final move and will join the firm that provides them with the most opportunities – not simply the largest salary.
“Most of them return to where they want to have long-term careers,” Quinn said. “They look at a number of things – it’s not only the pay packet, but also the work they’ll be doing, how they’ll fit into the practice group, and what their career prospects are.”
Allens has maintained its graduate intake throughout the downturn but, like most firms, has cut back on the lateral hiring of mid-level lawyers. “I think most law firms have cut back on their lateral hiring,” Quinn said. “But we’re seeing that starting to pick up again.”
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