June 2025Garrett Rosen
The State of the Tech Legal Market
The tech legal hiring market has followed a familiar pattern of early-year optimism, mid-cycle disruption, and a cautiously improving outlook. From startups bringing on their first in-house counsel to renewed momentum around large-scale IPO readiness, legal hiring trends have closely mirrored broader economic and regulatory policy shifts. To gain deeper insight into what these trends mean for both candidates and hiring leaders, we spoke with Garrett Rosen, Vice President at Larson Maddox, a specialist in legal executive search within technology.
Legal hiring trends: Market confidence drives demand
The first quarter of 2025 began with renewed energy across the technology sector. Legal hiring picked up sharply in January and February, driven by market optimism and business confidence. Many startups that secured funding in 2024 moved quickly to bring on their first in-house attorneys, while established companies reopened paused searches for commercial and corporate counsel, according to Garrett:
At the start of the year, the change in tone from hiring managers and executives was immediate and noticeable. For the first time in many months, we were having conversations that weren't just exploratory but actually turning into headcount approvals and active searches. Companies that had put legal hiring on the backburner were finally ready to re-engage. There was a genuine sense that the window had opened and that they did not want to miss it.
What made this period stand out was the surge in engagement from passive candidates. Lawyers who had not considered a move in years suddenly became receptive to outreach. They saw signs of economic recovery and interpreted that as a signal to look ahead in their careers.
Spring hiring pause: Legal market reacts to policy shifts
As March arrived, a wave of macroeconomic uncertainty began to weigh on momentum. New tariff announcements, geopolitical tensions, and inconsistent market signals caused companies to delay or pause their hiring plans. Legal departments that had been greenlit to grow were now being asked to justify each additional role with greater scrutiny.
"There was a marked shift in sentiment around late March. Conversations that had been progressing quickly suddenly stalled. In some cases, searches were paused indefinitely or re-scoped down to more junior levels. It became clear that policy volatility was once again influencing hiring decisions across the board."
"Candidates picked up on this almost immediately. Those who had just entered back into the market began to second-guess whether they had timed it right. There was a real sense of collective hesitation, and understandably so. When legal professionals sense uncertainty, they tend to become risk-averse very quickly," Garrett summarizes.
Legal hiring outlook: Momentum rebuilds
In recent weeks, hiring activity has started to return across several pockets of the market. While the IPO and M&A environment remains tentative, certain signs are encouraging. The public listings of Circle and Chime have injected optimism into the fintech and corporate legal space. Policy uncertainty around trade has lessened slightly, and the shock of earlier announcements is beginning to subside, says Garrett:
Over the last six weeks, we have seen a significant bounce back in legal hiring activity. While not every company is hiring at scale, there is a measurable uptick in demand, especially from businesses that were preparing for strategic events before the slowdown. Many of them are now feeling confident enough to reengage with legal search partners.
Startups continue to drive foundational hiring, especially at the Series A and B stages. But what is notable is the reactivation of searches among companies preparing for IPOs or working through M&A processes. These are not speculative moves. These are carefully considered growth hires, and that is a strong indicator of underlying confidence.
Top legal roles in tech
- The legal roles showing the strongest demand entering summer 2025 include:
- First in-house counsel with eight to fifteen or more years of experience
- Mid-level commercial counsel with a focus on SaaS and high-volume contracting
- Mid-level corporate counsel with expertise in SEC compliance, governance, and M&A
- Deputy and assistant general counsel positions at companies preparing for liquidity events
We are seeing particular interest in candidates who can operate across multiple legal functions, Garrett states. He continues:
That means professionals who are fluent in both corporate transactions and day-to-day legal operations. These hires are being made by companies that know what they need and have clear business cases for legal expansion. They are looking for impact-ready professionals who can support accelerated growth.
Legal job market forecast
As the market continues to find its footing, candidates and hiring managers alike must remain agile. While the legal job market is healthier now than at any point since early 2022, uncertainty remains in the background. Policy decisions, global developments, and investor sentiment could all shift the direction of the second half of the year; continues Garrett:
The truth is that no one can predict exactly where the market will be in three months. But what I can say is that right now, this moment we are in, is the most active and opportunity-rich stretch we have seen in years. For candidates who have been waiting for the right time to re-enter the conversation, I believe this is that time.
For those who have been navigating unemployment or extended searches, this is a particularly important moment. There are more roles coming online, more conversations happening, and more willingness from employers to engage with experienced talent.
Why Q3 2025 is critical for legal hiring
For organizations with hiring budgets still intact for 2025, this summer represents a critical opportunity. The availability of high-quality legal talent is still strong, but market could change quickly, according to Garrett:
Companies that are serious about hiring should not wait until the fall. Right now, there is a rare alignment of candidate openness and business readiness. Passive and active talent alike is available and willing to talk. That window is unlikely to remain open indefinitely. The employers who act decisively in Q3 will be the ones who secure the best long-term talent.
Looking to secure legal talent before the market shifts?
Request a call back today and connect with top legal candidates. Our team will help you assess your hiring goals, identify aligned professionals, and move quickly in a competitive market.
