Law360: Legal Sector Jobs Ticked Up In May Amid Uncertain Economy

By Alison Knezevich | 2025-06-06 16:24:58

The U.S. legal industry added 1,100 jobs in May, holding steady in the midst of economic uncertainty, according to preliminary data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Seasonally adjusted numbers showed the number of jobs in the sector grew to 1,195,500 in May, up from 1,194,400 in April. The count includes lawyers, paralegals and other legal professionals.

The figures showed year-over-year growth in the industry, with 1,600 more jobs in May 2025 than in May 2024.

Although preliminary data released last month said the legal industry added 1,400 jobs in April, the data out Friday said the number of jobs in the sector was virtually unchanged between March and April.

Michelle Fivel, a founding partner of legal recruiting firm Hatch Henderson Fivel, told Law360 Pulse in an interview Friday that she has seen that "there's been no slowing of the demand for partner talent."

Demand for associates remains steady, but "firms are being very deliberate through their process," she said.

"They're being very thoughtful through the interview process, and taking their time in making decisions about extending offers," she said. "They're being more judicious when it comes to offering … sign-on bonuses."

Areas that are staying busy include litigation, regulatory oriented practices, finance and, particularly in California and New York, labor and employment, she said.

The deal market "is still in a kind of wait-and-see mode, and so we're seeing transactional hiring happening — but again, firms are being very deliberate and selective," Fivel added.

More broadly, the U.S. economy added 139,000 jobs in May, the preliminary data released Friday showed. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%. The healthcare, leisure and hospitality, and social assistance sectors saw employment gains, while the federal government continued to shed jobs.

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