North America in-house legal market update Q4

As we head into Q4, energy stands out as an important area of demand for organizations hiring in-house legal professionals across North America. We are seeing opportunities across the sector, from traditional oil and gas businesses to renewables and infrastructure. 

That demand is not limited to one established legal center. Hiring activity is appearing across several parts of the US, creating opportunities for experienced lawyers in a range of markets.

Energy continues to drive legal hiring 

Energy is currently a particularly active sector for in-house legal hiring. The opportunity spans oil and gas and renewables, while infrastructure-related businesses are also contributing to demand for legal talent. 

As regulatory demands evolve, US energy legal teams are adapting to regulatory complexity while managing a changing mix of projects and commercial priorities. This is creating opportunities for lawyers who can combine technical knowledge with a practical understanding of the business. 

Demand is spread across the US 

Geography is another notable feature of the market. We are seeing energy-related legal demand across the US, including the Midwest, South Florida, Texas and Arizona. 

While some locations have long-established connections to the energy industry, the spread of demand means lawyers and hiring managers should consider opportunities beyond a narrow group of traditional legal markets.

For employers, this can make location an important consideration when defining a search. For candidates, it is worth taking a similarly broad view when assessing where the next opportunity might come from. 

Senior in-house lawyers are in demand 

Within the energy sector, much of the demand we are seeing is around the Assistant General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel level. These positions can play an important role in shaping legal capability, supporting leadership and helping the business manage complex priorities. 

This focus also sits within a wider shift in how legal functions are designed. Our analysis of why US in-house legal departments are restructuring considers how organizations are reassessing where expertise sits and what they need from their in-house teams. 

For hiring managers, a clear brief is essential. Organizations should identify the experience that matters most to the role, the stakeholders the lawyer will support and the commercial priorities they will be expected to understand. 

Infrastructure an area to watch 

Infrastructure stands out within the wider energy sector as another area where we are seeing demand for in-house lawyers. This adds a further dimension to the hiring picture across energy. 

Legal professionals considering a move should look across the wider energy ecosystem rather than focusing solely on traditional oil and gas or renewables. Employers should also be conscious that experienced lawyers may be considering opportunities across several connected parts of the sector. 

Looking ahead to 2027 

The longer-term picture for energy is encouraging. We expect the sector to continue to present strong growth potential in 2027, making the coming months an important period for employers and in-house legal professionals. 

Organizations considering their future legal capability can use this time to assess where additional expertise or leadership may be required. In-house lawyers, meanwhile, should keep a broad view of both geography and the different parts of the energy market when considering their longer-term career options. 

With 2027 in sight, the clearest message is that energy remains an important area to watch. With activity spanning oil and gas, renewables and infrastructure, demand across several US regions and opportunities at the Assistant General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel level, the sector is creating options for both employers and experienced lawyers. Professionals considering a move can also review our latest in-house legal opportunities. 

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