Although the current legal job outlook generally has been dismal, there may be hope for lawyers seeking in-house positions. A recent survey from HBR Consulting, which provides consulting services to law firms and law departments, shows that in-house hiring may be on the rise.

The results of the 2011 HBR Law Department Survey indicate that companies are increasing internal legal spend and reducing their reliance on outside law firms, which could mean more in-house jobs. The survey compiled information from 219 companies in 20 industries. Seventy percent of the participating companies had revenues at or above the Fortune 500 level. Key findings from the survey include the following:

• More than 50 percent of companies reported an increase in worldwide legal staff between 2009 and 2010.

• More than 80 percent of companies said their legal needs are increasing.

• More than 40 percent of companies plan to increase the number of internal lawyers by an average of 10 percent in the next year.

• About 60 percent of survey participants cut outside legal spend by an average of 3 percent between 2009 and 2010.

Read more of the survey statistics from the HBR Consulting's 2011 HBR Law Department Survey.

Although the current legal job outlook generally has been dismal, there may be hope for lawyers seeking in-house positions. A recent survey from HBR Consulting, which provides consulting services to law firms and law departments, shows that in-house hiring may be on the rise.