Almost half of law firms and corporate legal departments expect to hire lawyers in the next 12 months. A survey by Robert Half Legal, a division of Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI), found that 45% planned to add attorneys. It also found that 50% planned no changes in staff levels, 3% planned to reduce staff, and 2% did not know.

Firms and legal departments also chose bankruptcy as the area of law that will experience the most growth in the next 12 months, according to the survey. It was followed by litigation.