Where Law Firms Are Investing Right Now
The legal market never stands still, and right now, there are a few big shifts driving demand for very specific types of people.
The new “failure to prevent fraud” offence came into force in September. Overnight, firms’ clients are facing fresh obligations and tougher scrutiny, and law firms are moving quickly to keep pace.
That means more investigations, more compliance reviews, and more client training — all of which need people behind the scenes to make them happen. We’re seeing a real uptick in demand for:
• Investigations paralegals
• AML & KYC analysts
• Risk & compliance professionals
• Legal operations staff to streamline the process
The interesting part? This isn’t just one-off hiring. Firms are quietly strengthening their compliance functions across the board, and it’s a safe bet that the rest of 2025 will see a steady stream of new roles in this space.
Disputes are still booming!
If you thought litigation might have peaked after the post-Covid wave, think again. Disputes remain one of the busiest areas in the City — so much so that some litigation-focused firms are still posting double-digit revenue growth.
Behind that growth is an ongoing need for the people who actually deliver these cases day in, day out:
• Litigation PAs who know court procedures inside out
• E-discovery project managers keeping complex disclosure exercises on track
• Paralegals who can slot into disputes teams at short notice
Alongside compliance and disputes, there’s another quiet trend. Firms are investing more in roles that sit at the heart of value and efficiency. Clients are pushing harder than ever for predictability around fees, and firms are responding by hiring:
• Pricing specialists and matter optimisation managers
• Knowledge management (KM) professionals
• Business development and marketing experts to sharpen their client offering
These hires may not always grab headlines, but they’re central to how law firms stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.
From AML to litigation to pricing, one thing is clear: firms are still investing in people — they’re just being more deliberate about where.
If you’re growing in these areas, you’re not alone. And if you’re planning your next hire, now’s the time to be proactive: the best candidates don’t hang around for long.
