The legal sectors showing growing demand

Cyber security, construction, energy transition and family law are sectors which have experienced an unexpected uptick in business, according to survey results.

Lander & Rogers chief executive partner Genevieve Collins.

Unexpected areas of law have risen to prominence and experienced high demand over the past six months, sustaining firms through a difficult economic period as inflationary pressures have strangled typically booming corners of practice.

Areas such as cyber security, construction, energy transition and family law are key sectors repeatedly highlighted in The Australian’s Legal Partnership Survey as having experienced an unexpected uptick in business over the past six months, as the cost of living skyrocketed and business eased off in other ­sectors.

Lander & Rogers chief executive partner Genevieve Collins cited cyber security as a huge growth driver within the firm, which had established a dedicated cyber security, privacy and data governance team.

Since hacking scandals at Optus, Medibank and more recently law firm HWL Ebsworth, companies were feeling nervous about protection and employing lawyers to help, she said.

“High-profile privacy breaches and ongoing discussions about privacy and data reforms are driving demand for legal advice in responding to and mitigating the risk of cyber attacks and data breaches,” Ms Collins said.

Ms Collins said that with the advent of artificial intelligence, the firm had experienced an uptick in demand for technology and innovation services.

“Clients are increasingly seeking assistance with automation of legal processes and contracts,” she said.

“(They also require) specific tools and platforms that address particular risks such as complex privacy regulations and ESG best practice.”

Addisons managing partner Kieren Parker

Baker McKenzie, Pinsent Masons and Herbert Smith Freehills all experienced growth in energy law, which leaders say is due to predictions of energy transition across the country.

“We continue to be ambitious and remain focused on our clients and our long-term growth, building on our strong performance in recent years,” Herbert Smith Freehills executive partner Kristin Stammer said.

Speaking to the firm’s “strong capabilities” in the energy transition sector, she added: “Our teams are continuing to deliver great outcomes on the largest transformational deals and matters in the market.”

Addisons boss Kieren Parker told The Australian the firm was experiencing an unexpected uptick in demand for construction services following an industry boom. There has been discussion of gambling reform across NSW, and Mr Parker indicated that had also been an area of growth for the firm.

“We are well positioned to do well in all weather,” Ms Parker said. “There has been particularly solid activity in the construction, property and gambling teams.”

DLA Piper managing partner Amber Matthews said that while the corporate and litigation practices had experienced a slowdown, the organisation had seen greater demand in insolvencies as businesses buckled under inflationary pressure.

“Within the context of a more challenging macro-environment, it is more important than ever that we continue to operate as a values-led, strategically aligned firm and manage the business responsibly,” she said.

“DLA Piper is very well hedged as a firm, both geographically and in terms of our practice areas and sectors. Our corporate and litigation practices are countercyclical, which means when the corporate environment is slower, often we see greater demand around insolvencies and restructurings.”