Pasadena, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/11/2011 -- BCG Attorney Search has released its latest report on the hiring trends in the legal market, "State of the Market Report Summer 2011". The report covers the hot and not-so-hot practice areas and recruiting trends across the country.

The recruiting firm has created this report based on the feedback it has received from its recruiters nationwide. The recruiters work across the country, which BCG has divided into six regions for the purpose of this report. Claudia Barnes, Managing Director, says that one of the best regions was the Silicon Valley area. "There's an incredible need for attorneys with experience in technology transactions, which has increased greatly in the last six months. Attorneys with a strong technical background will do very well in the Silicon Valley market."

Hiring Trends by Region

1. Southern California - IP litigation is the main growth area, followed by the labor and employment practice areas - with openings at all levels. Firms are also recruiting heavily in the corporate and finance sectors.

2. Northern California - Attorneys specializing in IP (patent) litigation are in hot demand in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Firms also have several openings for candidates with a life sciences background. In general, individuals with a STEM background will do very well in this market.

3. Northwest - Seattle is also a good area for attorneys with IP litigation experience and also for those having experience in the corporate market. Portland has several openings for mid-levels and junior associates in the corporate sector.

4. Northeast - The DC market for associates has rebounded strongly this year. The partner market is growing as well, but partners with a self-sustaining portable business are in a much better position to move compared to those who do not have that. The New York market is also showing good signs of growth, with even small and mid-sized firms open to accepting partners who have at least $400,000 in portable business.

5. Southwest - The Las Vegas market has still not recovered and the only openings were in litigation (includes construction, real estate and bankruptcy). Associates with experience in transactional energy are in heavy demand in Houston.

6. Midwest - Chicago's legal market is still recovering but there is demand for transactional attorneys since several firms are now understaffed in a number of their practice areas. The report also covers the markets in Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado and other important Midwestern markets.