Less international firms may show signs of strain, though, and legal recruiters singled out a few that have let associates go.

Laura Colangelo, a legal recruiter in New York, explained why.

Her mother is retired as a legal recruiter for the Columbus Bar Association in Ohio.

Both partners at law firms and legal recruiters say that demand for lawyers with experience in bankruptcy is soaring.

And legal recruiters say the job situation is likely to get tighter.

Ms. Cosslett, a legal recruiter, said she reads labels and sometimes worries that her garments are "made by some child chained to a sewing machine."

So we make sure that the Palauan employers are in touch with legal recruiters who can produce qualified workers.

"In certain ways it's worse, because back then young associates didn't have the same expectations," said another legal recruiter.

Another legal recruiter based in San Francisco, who insisted that he not be identified, agreed.

Mrs. Levine, 31 years old, is a legal recruiter at Mestel & Company in New York.