Crystal ball gazing during the worst economic crisis of our times is about as sensible as a trip to the casino. However, there are several recruitment trends that have emerged during the past decade - globalisation and the growth of digital media. Awareness of generational change is also a key factor. Access to and use of information (aka talent) is the most influential factor in recruitment today and the internet is the largest and fastest provider of it.

The past decade has seen the emergence and growth of legal and financial centers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and offshore sites enable thousands of Australian lawyers to work overseas in more locations than ever.

Where the next round of emerging economies and legal enclaves come from is anyone's guess. India and China are the two main challengers to the established world order but both are unlikely to provide a large number of lawyers to the outside world, mainly due to language, training and cultural reasons.

The biggest question that law firms face for the future is 'Where, in an expanding market, do we source our lawyers?' However in a consolidating market that question beomes: 'How do we recruit exceptional talent but minimize cost?'

Law firms whether global or small suburban practices have the same basic needs, to recruit talent relative to their needs at a reasonable cost. Headhunters, recruitment consultancies and agencies will always have their place but it is becoming abundantly clear that print is being overtaken by digital media and that recruitment websites are becoming far more interactive with "smart" tools bridging the gap between the digital and human world.

The benefits are ease of access to information and radically reduced direct recruitment costs. The main gripe of most employers is that quality of candidates can be very inconsistent and jobseekers complain that the same role is advertised over and over again by recruiters.

Digital-savvy high school students are the lawyers of the future. Law firms and recruiters must recognise the importance of digital media to and capture a new generation of talent locally or internationally.

Edward Andrew is managing director at EA International