Buchanan Executive Director Tom Hanlon recently spoke with Law.com about the state of Miami’s legal market, discussing talent availability, law firm expansion and the growing influence of AI across the profession.
In the interview, Tom explained that while Miami remains a highly competitive market for associate hiring, the arrival of numerous Am Law 100 firms over the past five to seven years has helped create a deeper pool of Big Law trained talent. Associates who joined these firms as local hires are now gaining valuable experience and contributing to a stronger talent market than existed previously.
Tom also highlighted the difference between the associate and partner markets. While associate talent remains relatively limited compared with traditional legal centres such as New York and Chicago, there is strong demand for partners with established client relationships, particularly in areas such as real estate, private equity and Latin America-focused practices.
Discussing AI, Tom noted that firms continue to invest heavily in junior and mid-level associates and do not view technology as a replacement for lawyers. Instead, AI is increasingly being used to improve efficiency and support legal teams, with lawyers who have experience using AI tools becoming particularly attractive to employers.
Looking ahead, Tom believes Miami remains an attractive market for firms seeking growth opportunities. However, he emphasised that successful expansion is most likely to come from firms that build around existing client relationships and experienced local talent, rather than relying solely on relocations from other markets.
Read the full article here: Miami’s Talent Market Is Tight but Expanding, and Recent Am Law 100 Entrants Are Now Targets | Law.com