All that growth in private equity and venture capital has prompted a demand for attorneys specializing in finance, The New York Times reports. Law firms that worked for private equity saw some lean years after the Internet bubble went bust, but now they’re back in business, expanding their practices left and right as p.e. and VC firms hunger for someone to handle their business. And what business there is out there: In 2005, p.e funds poured some $163 billion in 697 deals, according to MergerMarket. In the last year or so, legal search firms can’t seem to keep up with the demand. For example, after limping along with 20 p.e. slots to fill just two years ago, Major, Lindsey & Africa is now scurrying to find lawyers for nearly 100 positions, says the Times. The danger for law firms that are expanding their practices to accommodate the demand, is, naturally, what will happen if the current bubble bursts.
