_{Executive search firm Carmichael Fisher said the level of global M&A activity, demand for Australian lawyers in overseas firms, and increasing moves by practitioners to change careers or leave the workforce altogether were contributing to the high demand.}

_{“It’s well known that some 30 to 35 per cent of lawyers working in the M&A practices of English ’magic circle’ firms are from Australia and New Zealand,” said Carmichael Fisher managing director Michael Markiewicz.}

_{He said demand in Australia for in-house roles and private practices were at an “all-time high” and this would continue into the foreseeable future.}

_{A desire to change their lifestyle was also a factor. “Many have worked hard for 15 or 20 years, are comfortably off in a financial sense and just want more time to spend doing what they want,” Markiewicz said.}