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The Legal Job Market in Columbus, Ohio

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published September 18, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

There are only a few major law firms in Columbus, Ohio, since most of them have very few attorneys and can only handle a few cases at a time. However, there is one law firm that is not only well known, and the biggest law firm in Ohio, but is also well respected throughout the nation. The law firm is known as Thompson, Hine, LLP. It was highly rated among the best corporate law firms in the United States. Thompson, Hine has a strong team of over 370 lawyers that serve premier businesses all over the world, such as Energizer/Eveready, LexisNexis, Time Warner Cable, and Ford Motor Company, just to name a few. Areas in which they specialize include telecommunications, real estate, product liability, personal and succession planning, healthcare, intellectual property, labor and employment, life sciences, and transportation.

The Thompson Hine law firm offers several different types of legal services in different areas of practice. They represent major secured and unsecured lenders, debtors, and various other parties of interest in financial transactions in the event of bankruptcy. This law firm also represents corporate clients in a wide range of corporate litigation, from tax controversies to securities fraud. Thompson, Hine also advises clients about employee benefits regarding qualified, non-qualified, and welfare benefit plans. This law firm is considered to be the best in the state, employing more attorneys than any other law firm in the city.

The Columbus, Ohio job market is growing, though existing firms are currently not big enough to accommodate the ever-growing number of law school graduates. They cannot all be accommodated by the small law firms in the city. Most of them have to relocate to other cities where they can find internships in other bigger law firms. Most law school graduates have to start their careers with internships before they can start to practice law on their own.

Thousands of law school graduates take the multi-state bar exam every year. The only states that issue a different exam are Washington and Louisiana. There is always a national exam that makes up a major component of the multi-state Bar exam. What constitutes a passing grade varies by state. Each state has different rules concerning scoring and grading, depending on the subject tested. Most of the students from Ohio have taken the Bar exam in other states and passed.

<<Passing the Bar requires deep knowledge of the law, as well as practicing different testing strategies and tactics. All these require large amounts of time to master the fundamentals. Many argue that the Bar exam is a good metric for merit as an attorney.

United States
The Bar exam, others argue, acts only as a pointless hurdle, and not a meaningful way to identify competence. They argue that the Bar only tests whether you are ready to waste more time studying.

The average attorney in Columbus earns an hourly wage of about $22.02. This amount totals to a mean annual income of $45,800, which includes a 7% rise in average income over the previous year. Columbus, Ohio compares poorly to the rest of the country regarding the annual income of its attorneys.

The cost of living in Columbus, Ohio is fairly reasonable. It's much less hectic compared to New York or Washington, D.C. Average food costs can total a mere $200 per month. Generally speaking, the cost of living in Columbus, Ohio is quite affordable when compared to the larger cities. The lower annual compensation directly reflects the cost of living.

Columbus is a quiet city. The quality of life is fairly good, though the average pay as compared to the rest of the country is lower.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
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