Adobe Stock by Kzenon Artificial intelligence, evolving regulations and data privacy are changing the role of in-house legal counsel, said legal executive search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa’s first quarter of 2025 in-house counsel market conditions report. The New Year was marked by a flurry of activity in the U.S. aimed at fundamentally reshaping the U.S. government. While the full impact of the new administration remains to be seen across the globe, C-Suite and legal executives are watching carefully, thinking ahead and assessing their talent needs accordingly. Most companies seem to have resumed hiring post-election, and they are ready to expand budgets and staffing across all levels. Impact of the new administration on talent needs Major, Lindsey & Africa teams report an influx of candidates as attorneys in both the public and private sectors are seeking new opportunities. There is a positive outlook among larger public companies anticipating deregulation, which could unlock pent-up demand and drive hiring. M&A activity is expected to spike as regulatory scrutiny eases, leading to more demand for corporate lawyers and potentially less for compliance expertise. Healthcare, pharmaceuticals and higher education are also likely to experience regulatory shifts requiring them to quickly add legal headcount. […]