Study: 25% of Firms Expect to Hire in 2009

According to Robert Half Legal, one quarter of lawyers surveyed believe their firm will hire in the next 12 months, most likely in bankruptcy and litigation.

The survey questioned 300 attorneys at law firms and corporations in the United States and Canada.

About 65% said that staffing levels would not change, and 10% said their organizations would reduce their staff.

Then again, in last year’s survey 45% of lawyers believed there would be an increase in hiring in 2008, and half said staffing levels would remain the same. Only a prescient 3% anticipated a decrease.

So, I’ve got some nice big grains of kosher salt here, if anyone’s interested.