Brisbane firms are struggling to find traction in a tricky market – but there are signs of improved conditions.

“There are some encouraging signs of an increased appetite for hiring, mainly among the larger firms.  However, it is too early to tell if this is a continuing trend or anomaly,” Burgess Paluch senior consultant Paul Garth told ALB.

Garth describes the hiring mood as cautious, even at the mid-tier level. “[Brisbane mid-tier firms] are generally willing to take their time and wait out the market for the perfect candidate.  The market does have a strong appetite for strong senior people with clients.  With the pressure on firms to keep fees in check, many are focusing on increased profits via lateral hires,” he said.

Salary freezes are a feature of this market, but firms appear to have retained their staff.  Garth says he has heard “very few” stories of redundancies in the present market. “Certainly fewer than was anticipated and talked about,” he commented. HopgoodGanim partner Martin Klapper told ALB that his firm had avoided redundancies. “We haven’t had any redundancies as has happened elsewhere in this market,” he said. “Our model does not involve bulking up with junior lawyers to form large teams; we don’t do that – [that’s] a little bit of an advantage.

Workflow
The Brisbane legal services market is described as patchy, with many firms operating below full capacity.  However, areas of strength remain. “In the areas of construction, infrastructure, aviation and litigation we have seen an increase throughout this year, not just as a result of the election,” said Carter Newell senior partner Paul Hopkins. Klapper describes his firm’s workflow having more of an “operational” focus of late. 

Garth nominates insurance as a busy area and also agreed that there was some demand for experienced construction and infrastructure professionals. “I suspect things will become busier in hiring terms as the year draws to a close and the new one begins,” he said. “If the Australian dollar falls, as widely predicted, then the tourist dollar will drive projects and investment in that sector, and the mid-tiers will be where most of that work flows.  Agriculture is another sector that will benefit as the dollar falls and Queensland has always been well placed in that area.  Brisbane firms have some good commodity trading and agribusiness teams that will benefit.”