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Expected Growth and Demand for Attorney Jobs

Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!

published September 29, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Attorneys act both as advisors and advocates, representing parties in criminal and civil trials and counseling clients about legal obligations and rights. Lawyers may argue and present evidence in court in support of their clients, suggest particular courses of action when it comes to personal and business matters, and perform extensive research about laws and legal decisions. It is the attorney's job to apply the law to his or her client's specific circumstances.

Expected Growth And Demand For Attorney Jobs


Types of Attorneys and Skills Required

Attorney jobs can require a variety of specific skills, depending on the given attorney's specialization and specific position. While any lawyer is licensed to represent clients in court, some appear in court much more frequently than others. For instance, trial lawyers specialize in court appearances. This means that they must have the ability to think on their feet, as well as the ability to speak easily and authoritatively. However, even trial lawyers spend most of their time outside of courtrooms. That's because researching, doing interviews with witnesses and clients, and preparing cases for trial take up most of their time.

In addition to trial lawyers, there are a number of other specialized attorney jobs available. They include environmental, elder, probate, international, bankruptcy, personal injury, and patent lawyer jobs, among others. Each has its own specific skills and knowledge required to perform the job.

For instance, an environmental lawyer might represent waste disposal companies, special interest groups, construction firms, and other organizations when dealing with the EPA and other government agencies. These lawyers may help defend their clients against fines or accusations of wrongdoing, or assist them in applying for licenses and approvals.

Intellectual property attorney jobs are one fast growing area. IP lawyers are involved in helping to protect artwork, copyrights, computer programs, product designs, patents, and more for their clients. Insurance lawyers may work as advisors for their client companies, helping them to find policies that protect them but also conform to the law. Insurance attorney jobs also involve reviewing claims when they're filed against the companies and representing such clients in court when necessary.

Most attorneys are in private practice and concentrate on criminal and civil law. Criminal law attorney jobs involve representing individuals who've been charged with crimes. Attorneys who specialize in civil law are more likely to assist clients with wills, contracts, trusts, leases, titles, mortgages, and litigation. Some lawyers only handle cases they feel are in the public interest. They concentrate on civil or criminal cases relating to a particular cause. There are even lawyers employed full-time by a single client. When this client is a corporation, the attorney is called an in-house counsel. These attorney jobs involve advising the company about legal issues that relate to its activities.

Many attorneys are also employed by the government. These attorney jobs include working for state attorneys general, acting as public defenders or prosecutors in criminal courts, investigating cases for the Department of Justice or other government agencies, developing programs and legislation, and arguing on behalf of the government in court.

<<Work Environment for Attorney Jobs

Most attorney jobs are located in law libraries, courtrooms, and offices. However, lawyers may also need to meet clients in their homes or businesses, or even in prisons and hospitals. Attorneys travel to gather evidence, attend meetings, and appear before courts and other authorities. While a case is being tried, heavy pressure may be felt by the lawyers involved, and court preparation can require significant research.

While salaried lawyers generally have structured work schedules, those in private practice may work irregular hours doing research, conducting client conferences, and in brief preparation. Most lawyers work long hours, with nearly 40% working more than fifty hours each week.

Qualifications and Advancement

Formal requirements for attorney jobs include a four-year undergraduate degree, three years of law school, and passing the written bar exam for the jurisdiction in which the given lawyer wishes to practice. Additional requirements vary by state, and admission to law schools is intense. High proficiency in speaking and writing, research, analysis, logical thinking, and other important skills are required to succeed, both in law school and in attorney jobs. Students interested in a particular aspect of the law may also wish to take specific courses. For instance, patent lawyers should have a strong background in science or engineering.

Most beginning attorney jobs are salaried positions, such as associate positions in a private firm. After several years, some associates will become partners, others will go on to practice for themselves, and still others will take another type of attorney job. Experienced lawyers may, for example, be nominated to become judges or opt to become faculty and administrators at law schools. On average, lawyers make around $100,000 per year, but some may earn significantly more, depending on their position and experience.

Conclusion

For those willing to put in the effort and to develop the skills and qualifications required, attorney jobs are a great opportunity. However, they require dedication, the ability to face strong competition, and the desire to work long hours for one's career.

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.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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