Hiring in Legal: Multi-skilled and adaptable legal talent in high demand

2022 was a year of business recovery for companies in Thailand, with positive hiring activity witnessed across sectors. For legal professionals, the covid-19 pandemic has led them to reassess job requirements alongside personal or family commitments. As a result, there was greater demand for work-from-home policies. This often came as a price to companies, shares Suchanasa Nantanapramoth, Manager of Legal, Robert Walters Thailand, as companies that did not incorporate work flexibility into their policies lost talent in 2022.

The market saw growing interest in digital and fintech businesses, particularly with the younger generation of talent finding greater appeal in packages offered by such companies. It led to a smaller candidate pool for traditional businesses, as legal professionals may be more keen to move into fintech than join traditional financial services. 

However, Suchanasa adds that not all was lost, as many traditional companies that relooked at workplace culture and engagement policies were able to attract talent in 2022.

Read on as Suchanasa shares her expectations of the labour market and hiring trends for legal and corporate governance professionals in 2023.

Companies in need of double-hat positions

On the back of 2022, 2023 is likely to see more companies offering flexible work arrangements to attract a wider pool of talent. Suchanasa shares that multi-skilled skills will be highly sought after for in-house counsel positions. “Companies will prefer to hire multi-skilled candidates for double-hat positions. This will include dual capabilities in legal as well as compliance and risk, litigation and employment law, or expertise to manage regional markets.”

With the expansion of companies in Thailand, there will be strong hiring demand for start-up lawyers with well-rounded legal skills and commercial acumen to cope with unregulated transactions. Ultimately, hiring managers will also be looking for professionals who are adaptable to change and willing to go the extra mile, says Suchanasa, as many companies undergo reorganisation and transformation.

Keep motivation up to retain legal talent

Hiring managers looking to attract talent in 2023 can consider offering market-rate salary packages and flexible work arrangements, as these are attractive propositions to potential candidates. Suchanasa believes quiet quitting can be prevented when companies consider internal job rotations or provide training, as they can keep employees engaged and motivated.

She adds, “Legal candidates are drawn to scope changes, salary increments, and good fit to work culture when looking for new opportunities.”

Legal talent are drawn to scope changes, salary increments, and good culture fits when looking for new opportunities.
 

Salaries to increase across most legal roles

Suchanasa expects salaries for legal professionals to increase in 2023, particularly for high-demand positions or candidates with niche skillsets.

Find out more

Request access to our 2023 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about the latest hiring and talent trends for Legal professionals in Thailand.