Much in line with the thawing job market elsewhere, next year's outlook for those seeking employment in the law field is looking positive.

According to a Robert Half Legal survey, 27 percent of lawyers interviewed said their respective law firm plans to add new positions within the next six months. 56 percent indicate their organization expects to maintain current staff levels by filling vacant posts, and only 12 percent of respondents say they do not intend to fill vacant positions or create new ones and another two percent expect staff reductions.

Robert Half Legal is the legal staffing division of Robert Half. The company provides law firms and corporate legal departments with lawyers, paralegals and legal support personnel. The research was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on 200 telephone interviews with lawyers in the United States: 100 of the respondents are employed at law firms with 20 or more employees and 100 are employed at companies with 1,000 or more employees. All of the respondents have hiring authority within their organizations.