OK…so, the economy is crashing but hope is suddenly among us. A handful of law firms, for example, are enthusiastic about using this financial slump to their advantage. With California’s alternative energy generation growing and the new state toxic chemical regulation, Cali’s “green rush” means new jobs for lawyers.

“California is a great market,” said Richard Gittleman, who moved from Washington six weeks ago and orchestrated the plan to bring five lawyers with him by the end of the year to help Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s large utility clients get into some of the renewable energy developments.

“The need is there, and we recognized in our own large client base a reluctance to jump into the renewables swimming pool because they didn’t understand it,” he said. Akin Gump also brought on Vic Fazio, a 20-year Democratic representative who represented the Sacramento, Calif., area, to lobby in Washington on energy issues, as well as Bill Paxton, a former Republican representative who represented the Buffalo, N.Y., area.

Many more firms are going to follow in Akin Gump’s footsteps. Change is in the air as doors are opening.

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