What does the legal job market look like?
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the unemployment rate for lawyers was 0.9% during Q1 2025, and the rate for paralegals and legal assistants was 1.9%. That’s well below the May 2025 national rate of 4.2%, meaning many legal professionals are out of work at only about one-quarter or half the rate seen across all occupations. Top industries that are hiring for lawyers and legal professionals include business and professional services and government.
About the Demand for Skilled Talent report
The Demand for Skilled Talent report by Robert Half is an authoritative source providing essential insights into employment trends. This report has offered a deep dive into the U.S. hiring landscape for over a decade, spotlighting challenges and strategies to attract and retain talent. It explores what employees seek in their careers, identifies common recruitment errors and suggests solutions. The report spans finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources, proving crucial for business leaders and managers.
