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1. First Impressions Count

• 85% of legal recruiters spend less than 60 seconds on a CV—make every word count.
• A CV is often the first filter for interviews, making it critical in a highly competitive market.
• Tip: Use a professional template and keep the design organized for instant impact.

2. Personal Brand Statement

• Lawyers with a compelling, tailored profile are 2x more likely to get interview callbacks.
• Begin with a strong personal statement or summary highlighting unique expertise and career goals.
• Tip: Use action verbs—advocated, negotiated, advised—to show achievements, not just duties.

3. Quantify Achievements

• Applicants who quantify successes (e.g., “90% litigation win rate”) see up to 40% more interview offers.
• Stats to use: “Represented 150+ clients in arbitration” or “Managed contracts worth R500m+”.
• Tip: Always link accomplishments to measurable outcomes.

4. Tailor and Target Each CV

• Tailored CVs are 3x more likely to result in interviews versus generic submissions.
• Match keywords and skills to each job specification—legal research, contract review, client advisory.
• Tip: Have a core CV, but adjust for each new application.

5. Proof and Polish

• 1 in 4 legal CVs are rejected for simple errors—attention to detail is vital.
• Always review for grammar, accuracy, and update regularly as your expertise grows.
• Tip: Ask a trusted peer or mentor to review before sending.

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Rob Green, CEO of The GRM Group, shares a candid update for aspiring legal professionals and law students navigating the complex South African legal market. Drawing from the latest recruitment trends, retention data, and direct experience hosting the Leaders in Law event in Casablanca, Green explores the tough reality for recent graduates: too many students, too few candidate attorney positions, and the compounding threat of AI automation.

This essential briefing includes:

- Real statistics on the shortage of articles and CA positions

- Insights on retention rates from top law firms like Webber Wentzel

- The impact of AI on junior legal roles and future opportunities

- Advice for law students on career resilience, broadening opportunities, and thinking beyond traditional legal practice

- An announcement about the upcoming South African Legal Remuneration Report, the country’s largest salary survey for law professionals

If you’re a law student, trainee, or legal recruiter, this video will equip you with actionable insights and realistic perspectives to help you plan your next move in a rapidly changing industry.

Subscribe for more market updates, salary reports, and strategies for thriving in the legal field

globallegalmarket.substack.com

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/mutugi-mutegi-17192284/

An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Certified Company Secretary (CS) with 10 years' experience in commercial law practice, specialising in competition law, capital markets and securities law and financial sector regulation.

Kenya’s legal market in 2025 is characterised by strong growth in transactional work, rapid adoption of technology, a sharp regulatory focus, and elevated demand for corporate and dispute resolution services. The legal environment is adapting to global standards on data privacy, AML, ESG, and beneficial ownership, while investment activity and cross-border transactions remain high.

Transactional Demand

• M&A, private equity, and venture capital activity continue to expand, with law firms advising on deals in technology, infrastructure, and energy.
• Advances in contract automation, LegalTech, and digital contract management are making transactional work more efficient and accessible.
• Regulatory reforms following fiscal and judicial changes demand close legal oversight on investor due diligence, corporate structuring, and compliance.

Dispute Resolution and Compliance

• Litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) are increasingly popular, with the judiciary promoting mediation and arbitration to manage caseload and support swift commercial resolutions.
• Anti-money laundering (AML), beneficial ownership disclosure, and ESG compliance have become central to legal advisory work, led by new laws enacted in 2025 targeting both financial and non-financial sectors.
• Data protection and cybersecurity are top priorities, with Kenyan regulations converging on international standards like GDPR, raising enforcement action and compliance expectations for both local and multinational firms.

Key Trends Shaping Legal Work

• LegalTech is transforming service delivery and operational efficiency, enabling law firms and clients to streamline contract review, compliance tracking, and research.
• ESG and governance requirements continue to grow, with legal departments helping clients implement responsible management, anti-corruption policies, and fair labour practices.
• Kenya’s evolving regulatory environment and increased scrutiny across sectors make compliance work, risk advisory, and dispute management essential service areas for business law firms.

Law firms in Kenya that excel at transactional, compliance, and technology-driven client support are best positioned for growth in 2025, as regulatory enforcement, global investment, and legal innovation reshape the market.

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