The year 2011, in the legal industry turned out once again to be a rollercoaster ride; mergers, acquisitions and internal changes were all part of it. Here’s look at the major news that made us sit up and take notice in 2011.

January- In a major shakeup, CMS Cameron McKenna made public the details of its outsourcing agreement with Integreon. Almost one-third of the firm’s support staff was either let go or relocated.

February- After months of speculation about their entry into Australia, Clifford Chance (CC) announced their launch after partnering with local firms Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe and Chang Pistilli & Simmons.

It’s been a long hard struggle to get good grades, burn the mid-night oil to pass the Bar and become a Lawyer. After what seems like an age of being buried under a mountain of Law Journals and case studies you emerge into the real world and realize that all that hard work was not quite enough! The slow economy, job and budget cuts have affected the availability of jobs even for Lawyers.

It is a time for shifting demands and people who have adapted to this new world are doing very well indeed. Lawyers who show an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to work for smaller Law firms are doing brisk business and building up a portfolio rich in experience. Right now the best advice is to follow the money.