Insider's legal predictions for 2022: It's going to be a big year for deals, law firm talent wars, legal tech, and bankruptcy

The Big Law talent wars will continue

Big Law associates, overworked from an avalanche of deals, have been showered with raises and special bonuses in 2021 by firms desperate to keep them.

2022 is on track to be just as hot, according to recruiters.

Insider spoke with four industry experts to learn what's in store for the legal industry in 2022. They said there's no sign that the torrent of legal work will slow down enough to affect talent-market conditions.

Read more here:

The legal tech industry will mature

It's been an exciting year for legal tech, which saw a flurry of M&A activity, an outpouring of capital, and a record-breaking number of companies hitting the public markets.

Law firms and corporate legal departments have doubled down on tech, from the way they manage their contracts to how they strike deals.

Many of the trends that defined this year for legal tech will continue in 2022, according to experts. Insider spoke with seven legal-tech experts about the biggest trends of 2021, and how they'll likely shape the year ahead.

Read more here:

Bankruptcies will pick up again

2021 saw a record decline in Chapter 11 filings, but that lull won't last forever. As the Omicron surge disrupts travel and return-to-office plans, bankruptcy lawyers are preparing for a busier 2022.

As the pandemic stretches on and federal stimulus support wanes, companies in the hospitality, physical retail, travel, and commercial real-estate sectors appear especially vulnerable, bankruptcy experts said.

"You're going to see some cracks into Q1, Q2 of next year," Meagen Leary, co-chair of the business reorganization and financial-restructuring group at Duane Morris, said.

Insider spoke to Leary and four other bankruptcy lawyers to learn what's in store for 2022.

Read more here:

M&A will stay busy

Mergers and acquisitions set a volume record in 2021, and lawyers with their fingers on the pulse of dealmakers anticipate a busy 2022.

Interest rates could rise, putting a damper on debt-fueled transactions. And government scrutiny could slow or stop cross-border deals. Nevertheless, lawyers expect deals to keep flowing.

Insider spoke to seven top M&A lawyers about the new year. Here's what they said.

Read more here: