The rise of corporate litigation, stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, created a corporate law attorney shortage in the U.S. This shortage is more significant in Texas because several big corporations now call the state home. With many law offices and in-house corporate attorney positions available, businesses are looking for qualified candidates. Explore the corporate law attorney shortage issue and find out how Collier Legal Search can help fill the gap between experience and availability.
The Rise in Corporate Litigation Post-Covid
In the wake of COVID-19, a rise in corporate litigation has swept the legal industry. Issues put on hold during lockdowns are moving ahead quickly. Also, new concerns that arose directly from the COVID crisis are being brought into litigation. Issues include:
- Data privacy issues
- Commercial disputes
- Bribery and corruption
- Business interruptions brought on by COVID
- Fraud
- Bankruptcy
- Contract disputes
The rise in corporate legal issues has caused a spike in in-house litigation hiring and spending to keep up with demand. In addition, there is a demand for outside legal representation in corporate matters by businesses involved in litigation.
Big Business in Texas
The corporate attorney shortage is hitting Texas business hard. Several big-name corporations have recently moved their headquarters to the Lone Star State to take advantage of our excellent quality of life. The steady climate, favorable income tax laws, low cost of living, and access to global markets with well-developed infrastructure are attractive.
The list of companies that have made Texas their home include:
- Oracle
- Hewlett Packard
- Tesla
- Dropbox
- 8VC
- Firetrail
- Amazon
Named the Best State for Business by the country’s top CEOs for the 17th year in a row, the emerging corporate landscape has shaken up the Fortune 500 lists in major Texas cities. Now, the big players include information technology companies along with oil and gas corporations.
Rising Demand for Corporate Law Attorneys
While corporate growth is positive for the Texas economy, it has created challenges in the legal sector. With the national increase in corporate litigation cases, Texas has a shortage of corporate law attorneys.
The shortage, which began before COVID-19 in Texas, has grown with the pandemic. The corporate growth of the Houston and Dallas metro areas has led to many businesses searching for legal candidates to handle the increase in legal litigation.
Lack of Experienced Corporate Law Attorneys
It isn’t just the number of corporate law attorneys that is lacking; it is the experience required to handle the complex corporate litigation required by big-name players. Mergers and acquisitions within the oil and industry sector are creating the need for highly skilled corporate law attorneys in large numbers.
Many corporations look to grow their in-house corporate law staff, while others look to outside law firms. Although the number of local attorney firms is growing, it has not yet caught up to the rate of its corporate counterpart.
Reports estimate that the available number of lawyers has stayed relatively stable since the Great Recession in 2008. Many in the legal field feel that since 2018, the legal need in Texas has grown rapidly, almost overnight, leaving a gap between the availability of lawyers and their expertise, especially in high-stakes corporate law.
Filling the Gap Between Experience and Availability
To fill the gap between the shortage of corporate law attorneys for businesses in Texas and available, experienced candidates, companies can utilize the services of Collier Legal Search, a full-service legal recruiting agency that pairs you with experienced candidates.
Our team of former legal assistants, paralegals, trial attorneys, and entrepreneurs understands the importance of meeting your company’s specific legal needs, as well as how to assess candidates for corporate law positions.
If you cannot find a corporate law attorney to represent you, work with Collier Legal to find a placement to handle your cases with legal expertise. Find out how Collier Legal Search can help you find a candidate to meet your needs.
Collier Legal Search Connects Attorneys and Businesses
Collier Legal Search connects your business with qualified corporate law attorney candidates, so you are covered for all your legal needs. We have built a network of experienced legal candidates to find you the right person. Contact Collier Legal Search today to get started.