Legal sector says recruiting talent a major issue

Legal firms are increasingly having to battle to recruit talented candidates, according to a new study published by an accountancy group.

A survey conducted by Smith & Williamson revealed that 61% of law firms admitted to having taken a team from another firm in the last two years, The Times reports.

Giles Murphy, Head of Assurance and Business Services at the company, said that the need to find and retain "quality" members of staff remains a 'major issue' for the legal industry.

'This dearth of suitably experienced people appears to be fuelling the trend towards acquisitions of established teams by law firms,' he remarked.

Considering the 'war for talent', it is unsurprising that many firms look to take on new teams, he added.

In related news, 13 members of the City Solicitors Educational Trust recently launched a new project aimed at encouraging students from a more diverse range of universities to consider a career in law, Legal Week reports.

The firms, which include Allen & Overy and Herbert Smith, have set aside £250,000 to finance the scheme for 2008.