The demand for international trade lawyers is rising amid economic uncertainty – a stark contrast to what has traditionally been a niche practice, says Warren Bongard, president and co-founder of ZSA Legal Recruitment.
Meanwhile, restructuring, insolvency, and litigation roles are also rising, while corporate law, M&A, and real estate are experiencing a hiring slump.
Bongard says international trade law has historically been a small hiring market, but recent months have seen a notable surge in demand for trade specialists.
“I placed two lawyers in the last two months in international trade… Considering I can probably count on one hand how many I did in the last few years, that’s a lot for this space.”
Trade law has traditionally been limited to firms with global clients, but with rising geopolitical tensions and new tariff threats, he adds, companies are increasingly seeking legal experts to navigate international trade regulations.
“Some of the elite firms have very reputable trade practices, but once you get below the surface of these large law firms, I don’t think it’s a big area,” Bongard says.
Meanwhile, restructuring, insolvency, and litigation roles are also rising, while corporate law, M&A, and real estate are experiencing a hiring slump.
Bongard says international trade law has historically been a small hiring market, but recent months have seen a notable surge in demand for trade specialists.
“I placed two lawyers in the last two months in international trade… Considering I can probably count on one hand how many I did in the last few years, that’s a lot for this space.”
Trade law has traditionally been limited to firms with global clients, but with rising geopolitical tensions and new tariff threats, he adds, companies are increasingly seeking legal experts to navigate international trade regulations.
“Some of the elite firms have very reputable trade practices, but once you get below the surface of these large law firms, I don’t think it’s a big area,” Bongard says.
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