Tariffs and Turbulence: Reshaping Big Law’s Hiring Playbook
The current administration continues to bring bold shifts in trade and economic policy—most notably through a renewed emphasis on tariffs. These measures, part of a broader strategy to protect American industry and reassert leverage in global trade, are reshaping the way corporations operate internationally. For Big Law, this evolving landscape presents both high-stakes challenges and fresh opportunities to support clients navigating uncertainty.
Hiring Trends: Big Law Talent Strategy Adapts
In response to these shifting legal demands, Big Law firms are evolving their hiring strategies. At Leatherwood Legal Recruiting, we are seeing there’s a growing appetite for attorneys with backgrounds in:
International trade and customs law
Administrative and regulatory compliance
Government affairs and public policy
Litigation with cross-border components
Additionally, firms are prioritizing bilingual and cross-cultural candidates, particularly those fluent in Mandarin, Spanish, or other key trade-region languages, as global client demands increase.
Lateral hiring from government agencies like the USTR (U.S. Trade Representative), Department of Commerce, and the Treasury has also picked up, as firms seek professionals with insider knowledge of tariff policy and trade enforcement. Some firms are even creating niche practices or expanding partner-level positions focused solely on global trade risk and international regulatory compliance.
This shift is not only shaping the legal workforce—it’s redefining what expertise is considered most valuable in today’s competitive legal market.
The Tariff Tangle: Complexity for Multinationals
Under Trump’s administration, tariffs have become a central tool of economic policy. Whether aimed at specific countries like China or sectors such as steel and technology, these trade barriers have introduced volatility into global supply chains. For corporations, the legal implications are immediate and complex—affecting everything from sourcing strategies and vendor contracts to customs compliance and dispute resolution.
Legal teams at large firms are playing a critical role in helping clients reconfigure global operations, conduct tariff impact assessments, and pursue waivers or exclusions through regulatory processes. Corporate counsel is also essential in handling litigation stemming from disrupted agreements or shifting trade-related liabilities.
Strategic Realignment: Legal Advice at the Forefront
Tariffs are prompting companies to reevaluate their business models, with some choosing to relocate manufacturing, diversify suppliers, or restructure import/export flows. Each of these moves carries legal implications. For Big Law, this means increased demand in areas like cross-border transactions, regulatory analysis, international arbitration, and contract renegotiation.
In-house legal departments are leaning more heavily on external counsel to interpret shifting trade policies and respond quickly to regulatory changes. The dynamic nature of these policies makes real-time legal advice a competitive advantage—especially for firms with deep expertise in international trade, administrative law, and geopolitical risk.
Risk, Compliance, and Government Relations
With more businesses under the microscope of federal agencies, legal teams must navigate not only tariff compliance but also broader national security reviews, including those conducted by CFIUS (the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.). Big Law is increasingly tasked with helping clients assess whether their business practices intersect with political priorities—particularly in sensitive industries like technology, energy, and defense.
Law firms with strong government relations and regulatory teams are proving especially valuable, offering insight into how trade policy may evolve and how corporations can proactively mitigate risk.
Adapting to a New Normal
The current approach to trade and tariffs is continuing to redefine the legal services market. For Big Law, staying ahead means delivering clear, actionable advice in an environment where the rules can shift quickly—and where the costs of missteps are high.
As corporations recalibrate their global strategies, they will look to legal advisors not only for compliance and litigation support but for strategic counsel that integrates legal, economic, and political perspectives. In this tariff-driven era, agility, foresight, and cross-disciplinary knowledge will be the hallmarks of legal leadership.
