We have all been bombarded with 'claims' and predications/projections for the future. Many have shared their doubts and anecdotal views about how this is not the situation or view on the ground in law firms (including in my Big Law firm).
However, the data thusfar paints a starkly different picture and this is one I wanted to share with everyone here because it allows us to take a lot of the claims with a substantial grain of salt. Things will undoubtedly change in Law, but let us remain a level-headed and rational (as well as backed by data) view on the situation.
& Law students -> keep calm, work hard and you will be more than fine; the world changes, rarely to the extend of those preaching doom and chaos (eventhough it is most often marketing language) and Law is a terrific field.
Further interesting data:
- Law firms looking to increase associate classes through 2027: https://www.citiglobalwealth.com/content/dam/cpb/internet/www-citiglobalwealth-com/wealth-at-work/docs/2026_CitiHildebrandtClientAdvisory.pdf.coredownload.pdf
- Record grad hiring: (Eventhough smaller class size, the relative (not absolute number therefore) percentage of graduates going to law firms rose 2%: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/law-grad-employment-hit-record-high-again-2025-aba-data-shows-2026-04-22/
- More jobs in Legal in Q1 2026 than same time last year: https://www.artificiallawyer.com/2026/04/10/more-ai-more-jobs-eudia-webinar-felix-legal-innovators/