Which issues are having the greatest impact on the practice of law? This Robert Half Legal slideshow provides an overview of four top trends affecting law practice management and legal careers. Visit futurelawoffice.com for more legal research.

1. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
Transforming the Legal Profession
Four Top Trends
During interviews Robert Half Legal recently conducted with leaders in the
legal field for its annual Future Law Office program, one clear consensus
emerged: The profession is entering a critical period, and
adaptability will be a defining factor of success.

2. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
2
Heightened Demand for Specialized Expertise
More than half (55%)
of lawyers surveyed
said finding skilled
legal professionals
is a challenge.
ISSUES MAKING THE GREATEST
IMPACT ON THE PRACTICE OF LAW:*
Corporate governance/regulatory
31%
Privacy, data security
22%
Globalization
15%
*Top three responses shown
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 350 lawyers with the largest
law firm and corporations in the United States and Canada
futurelawoffice.com

3. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
3
GCs Taking Center Stage
General counsel are
playing greater roles in
business decision-
making as companies
address compliance and
regulatory demands.
Corporate legal departments are
taking on more work in-house and
retaining five outside law firms, on
average, for specialty projects.
More than one-third (34%) had
retained five or more law firms.
*Top three responses shown
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 175 lawyers with
the largest corporations in the United States and Canada
futurelawoffice.com

4. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
4
Flexible Workplaces on the Rise
39% of lawyers said
the number of
telecommuting
employees grew in
the last 12 months.
16% of lawyers said
their firms plan to
redesign its office
space to accommodate
mobile workers.
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 175 lawyers with
the largest law firms in the United States and Canada
futurelawoffice.com

5. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
5
Client Service Pressures Mount
Evolving client
expectations are placing
more lawyers in the
role of business
advisor.
Law firms are deploying
specialized teams
composed of partners,
associates and
paralegals to better
support clients.
futurelawoffice.com

6. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
6
Changing of the Guard
22% of lawyers plan to retire
from their law firms within the
next five years, yet 41% of
firms have no succession plans
in place.
59% of lawyers said that
working for a small-to-
midsize law firm holds
the most appeal.
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 175 lawyers with
the largest law firms in the United States and Canada
futurelawoffice.com

7. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
7
Big Data Driving eDiscovery Priorities
Predictive coding is emerging
as a viable resource, but
76% of lawyers have no
experience with the
technology.
Traditional data management
alone is no longer effective
in eDiscovery.
76%
Big data is causing organizations to seek innovative solutions to
better manage the eDiscovery process and control costs.
Source: Robert Half Legal survey of 175 lawyers with
the largest corporations in the United States and Canada
futurelawoffice.com

8. © 2015 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
Transforming the Legal Profession
Four Top Trends
To download a complimentary copy of the report, or learn
more about the Future Law Office research project, visit
futurelawoffice.com