Global economic turmoil, credit crunch, property slump, recession ... we are currently in the midst of uncertain economic times, and whilst we seem to be hearing more and more every day about how the impact of what is happening globally is affecting us here in New Zealand, many of the predictions for our economic climate as we look ahead to 2009 are not very optimistic. So despite all the doom and gloom, is there any silver lining to this particular grey and dismal economic cloud? We believe there are certainly some positive points for firms considering their current staffing and recruitment needs.

•  Increased availability of high calibre candidates
With a downturn in work and firms starting to feel the pressure to reduce costs, we are starting to see increased numbers of staff redundancies. This is flowing through to a larger number of higher calibre candidates becoming immediately available in the marketplace – something we haven’t seen at all in recent years. Despite fewer vacancies being available, the skills shortage within the legal market does still exist, so if you do have a vacancy, now is an opportune time to recruit with a bigger pool of skilled candidates available and less competition from other firms.

•  Improved retention of staff
Staff turnover is always an area of concern for law firms, as recruiting and training a new employee is an investment in both time and money and it can be very frustrating to see your ‘investment’ walking out the door less than 12 months later. With the financial crisis impacting the UK and Australia, staff will be holding off on taking their OE and will be choosing the security and stability of their current position over the risk of the unknown in a new firm.

•  Temporary & contractors for short-term solutions
If you currently have a staffing need but are not sure about going ahead and recruiting a permanent staff member, then you can take advantage of utilising temporary or contract support or professional staff. This is a flexible, cost-effective way of resourcing short-term workflow requirements, and can also prove to be a ‘try before you buy’ way of reducing your risk in recruiting a permanent team member.

Visit now www.legalpersonnel.co.nz and go to Employer Information Centre and click on the free guide to interview questions.

Congratulations to the supreme overall winner of the Legal Personnel 'Employer of Choice' Award - Wynn Williams & Co

Winning firm with less than 50 employees: Blackman Spargo
Winning firm with 50 to 100 employees: Wynn Williams & Co
Winning firm with more than 100 employees: Simpson Grierson

If you are then this is the website for you - www.makana.co.nz - a boutique chocolate factory. You can order online - enjoy!

Solicitor
Four years in a corporate advisory law team in one of the big six firms in Auckland. Electricity and forestry sectors, sponsorships and general deals including share purchases, director liability, public listings and public offerings. Writing and drafting contract clauses and clients interviews. Recently been competing competitively in sport and now looking to return to law. Initially would be great if it was part time going to full time or some flexibility with this. Reference #9587 - judith.eller@legalpersonnel.co.nz

Solicitor
Two years in general practice, property, leases, contentious files, matrimonial property agreements and property relationship agreements in a provincial firm. Keen to move to a larger town/city and firm. Will look anywhere, ideally in a coastal location. Mature candidate with B+ degree. Outgoing and personable. Reference #9591 - judith.eller@legalpersonnel.co.nz

Solicitor - Litigation/Insurance Litigation - part time/flexi hours
Eight years experience in litigation and insurance litigation. Worked in private practice, in-house in insurance and as a barrister. Looking for part time role three days per week while completing a PhD over the next five years. An easy, outgoing personality. Reference #7133 - judith.eller@legalpersonnel.co.nz

Legal Executive
Personable, professional candidate with 15 years experience in residential & commercial property, leasing, general practice work. Very hands-on, dedicated and true team player. Seeking small to medium firm. North Shore/Warkworth or CBD location. $$neg (currently on $75,000). Reference #9596 - alison.frith@legalpersonnel.co.nz

Intermediate Solicitor - (contractor) - Commercial Property
Bright, personable candidate with three years+ top-tier NZ firm experience is back home from the UK for 3-6 months and is seeking a contract role in Auckland, would consider other North Island locations. Property development, acquisitions and dispositions, commercial leasing, conveyancing. $$neg. Reference #9602 - alison.frith@legalpersonnel.co.nz

Legal Secretary - Corporate/Commercial
Extremely obliging, warm candidate with four years mainly corporate/commercial experience in prominent Auckland firms, in addition to a wealth of secretarial experience in the medical industry. Immediately available, open to permanent or contract work, seeking $55,000 neg.  Reference #9537 - alison.frith@legalpersonnel.co.nz

Practice Manager
High calibre candidate with wealth of practice management experience in legal firms seeking an opportunity to utilise her HR staff management and finance skills in a small-medium firm. Professional, warm and approachable style.  Reference #9567 - alison.frith@legalpersonnel.co.nz

From a little book called "Disorder in the Court."
They're things people actually said in court, word for word.

Q:  How old is your son, the one living with you?

 A:  Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.

 Q:  How long has he lived with you?

 A:  Forty-five years.