Kerwin Associates

The Legal market is on the upswing and evolving rapidly, bringing both challenges and exciting opportunities. Specialized roles are in high demand, but filling them requires precision and expertise. A candidate-heavy market means an influx of top legal talent, making competition fierce. Innovation is reshaping legal needs, with new opportunities emerging across industries. At Kerwin, we’re receiving overwhelming interest from talented legal professionals. We see you, appreciate you, and are working diligently to connect with candidates as quickly as possible. #LegalHiring #LegalRecruiting #ExecutiveSearch #Kerwin

This Thursday, March 20, I’ll be moderating a powerhouse panel at the Legal Operators Practical AI Solutions Conference alongside Kshitij Dua, Elizabeth Miller, and Damien Eastwood. Panel Topic: How AI Will Transform In-House Legal Teams Time: 3:05 – 3:45 PM  Lunch: 12:00 PM | Content Begins: 12:30 PM |  Event Ends: ~5:00 PM Location: Filoli Historic House and Garden, Woodside, CA We’ll explore AI’s impact on legal departments, how in-house teams will change, and what the future holds for these teams. If you’re in Legal Ops, In-House Counsel, Legal Tech, or Corporate Leadership, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and stay ahead of the curve. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gFDUxjiN See you there! #LegalAI #LegalOps #InHouseCounsel #AIinLaw #LegalTech #BayArea

Why New York & San Francisco Remain Key Legal Hubs New York and San Francisco have long been powerhouses for legal hiring, each driven by distinct industry forces: New York: A global financial center with a high demand for corporate, securities, and litigation attorneys. Home to Wall Street, BigLaw firms, and Fortune 500 headquarters. San Francisco: Welcome to the home of innovation, the heart of the tech industry, fueling demand for IP, venture capital, and regulatory lawyers. A thriving startup ecosystem and evolving data privacy laws make legal expertise crucial. Legal hiring trends are shifting, evolving, and growing in both hubs. Stay ahead with our latest insights. Link in comments to download the full report.

We remain optimistic about the in-house legal market in 2025!  Corporate legal roles are rising, IPOs are re-emerging, and General Counsels are expanding their influence beyond legal functions. But what does this mean for hiring strategies? Whether you are a specialist or generalist, legal hires have morphed to whatever function it is, PLUS, meaning you are called to add value in other ways... At Kerwin, we’ve analyzed the legal talent landscape in San Francisco and New York to bring you exclusive insights. Follow the link in the comments to download our latest report for the full breakdown.

Legal departments are running more like a business, and legal operations roles are central to this shift. From strategic planning to implementing systems, legal operations professionals are transforming how these teams function. With the integration of AI, legal departments can not afford to invest in legal operations. These individuals are the business and backbone of legal—they make a good legal department great! Learn why in our latest report. Link in the comments to download report.

Kerwin is honored to have our own Anne Kerwin Payne speaking at the second edition of SpotDraft Summit alongside Tom Stephenson, Micki Nute, Anna Richards, PMP, and Andrew Epstein They'll be diving into how AI is reshaping hiring trends, skillset requirements, and team structures within legal departments - highlighting new opportunities for legal professionals, what they should be learning, experimenting with, and preparing to stay ahead in an AI-enabled future. February 28, 2025 | The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco If you’re in legal ops, in-house, or leading AI initiatives—join us for an exciting summit experience! Register for the summit here (it’s free): https://hubs.la/Q034HN6y0 #SpotDraftSummit #LegalOps #AIforLegal #FutureofLegal #LegalInnovation

How Today’s Modern GCs Conquer Business, Risk, and Everything in Between The role of the General Counsel has transformed dramatically in today’s fast-paced business world. No longer just legal advisors, GCs now serve as strategic partners, blending legal expertise with business acumen to drive success. They manage budgets, mentor and scale great teams, and act as trusted confidants to management. They also take on other functions—finance, HR, business development, operations…because they are that good. Modern GCs must navigate increasing regulatory complexity, embrace technology and process, and manage global legal matters—all before their morning coffee. They integrate legal risk management into business strategies, ensuring companies can innovate while staying compliant (ideally, out of the headlines). Key traits for the modern GC include adaptability, business insight, and outstanding judgment. They lead cross-functional teams, oversee legal tech adoption, and play a vital role in corporate governance, M&A, and proactive risk management—all while fielding 11 p.m. "quick questions" from the CEO. As the role evolves, GCs who stay agile, embrace digital transformation, and align legal strategies with business goals will be indispensable in shaping their companies’ futures. Many in-house legal professionals aspire to the carrot of becoming a General Counsel, while others recognize it’s not the right path for them. Before stepping into these roles, ensure you understand the pressures and responsibilities of the modern GC. Can you rise to the challenge (and still get a decent night’s sleep)?

Curious about what General Counsels ask in interviews? In this clip from the Kerwin x Spotdraft webinar, Vercel’s VP of Legal, Wendra Liang and SWORD Health’s CLO, Beth Stevens share expert strategies to help you stand out and make a lasting impression.

What are you doing to stay balanced in the new year?

Less than 24 hours to go until Kerwin’s Maddie Payne Murray is joined by Tyler Finn to moderate “Finding Your Next Role in 2025: Career Insights for Legal Professionals”, in partnership with @Spotdraft. Featuring, Wendra Liang, Kate Karas, and Beth Stevens, we will explore the skills, experiences, and strategies needed to stand out in 2025. This webinar is not to be missed!    Register now: https://lnkd.in/gMKDNr7v  Date: Thursday, January 23rd  Time: 10:00 AM PST   #webinar #legal