The Legal Job Market in New York City

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published September 29, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Big Law Firms versus Small Law Firms

New York City is home to numerous big law firms and even more small law firms which offer services to different individuals and entities depending on their needs and on the availability and affordability of the service in question. The big law firms offer services to the big companies and individuals who can afford it, while the small law firms typically provide services to those small businesses and individuals who cannot afford to seek services from the big law firms.
 
The Legal Job Market in New York City

Another difference between the big law firms and the small law firms is in their client bases. Big law firms tend to have a strong client base and can handle a large number of clients, whereas small firms can typically only handle a small number of clients.

Availability of Work

It is evident from the growing business economy that there is plenty of legal work available in the city. In general, there is a lot of work available in the state as a result of the growing need for legal assistance due to economic growth and burgeoning businesses. The available legal jobs are innumerable and range from positions for skilled support staff, such as legal secretaries and paralegals, to jobs for attorneys themselves, some of them with the most powerful firms in the nation. It is clear that with the ongoing increase in economic growth and productivity, there are a lot of job opportunities in the state.

General Salary Ranges

Generally, the salary ranges for legal practitioners in New York City are very competitive due to the growth in the job market and the increasing cost of living in the city. A lawyer in New York working in a big law firm earns a salary starting from $130,000 per year. The salary range, however, depends on the type of practice and the size of the firm in question.

Cost of Living in New York

New York City is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world. The reasons for this may be obvious considering that the economic power of the city results in high income which in turn result in an increased cost of living. The increased cost of transport, education, electricity and gas, rent, food, and other items is something that every citizen of the city must deal with. That said, many people who work in the city choose to live in New Jersey, which has a lower cost of living.

Quality of Life in New York

The quality of life in New York is considered to be quite good as evidenced by social, economic, and political factors. The thriving economy is the major factor contributing to the high quality of life in the city. With the increasing cost of living, employers must ensure that employees are compensated fairly and at rates allowing them to maintain or improve their quality of living.
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Pros and Cons of Being a Lawyer in New York City

Being a lawyer in New York City has its pros and cons. Some of the pros of practicing law in New York include the opportunity to learn from the best. The city attracts the best lawyers and attorneys because of its enormous legal job market, and therefore working in the city gives a lawyer the advantage of working and networking with a variety of legal experts.

Other advantages of being a lawyer in New York City include the opportunity to make good money, attract major clients, and enhance one's reputation in the legal community.

On the other hand, practicing law in New York has its challenges. As a result of strong business growth, lawyers are forced to prove their worthiness to their clients. This may be due to several reasons, including stiff competition for good jobs.

A lawyer in New York will find it hard to get the desired job if he or she does not have the necessary experience. This is especially true for junior attorneys who have only practiced law for a short period of time. Apart from academic credentials, employers consider experience when recruiting a lawyer.

The fast growth of the legal market makes it hard for an individual to open and run a private practice because of the massive costs that one has to incur in setting a new practice up, not to mention the challenges of developing a solid client base.

Conclusion

It is clear that New York City, being one of the largest legal markets in the United States, offers lawyers unlimited opportunities to put their law degrees to lucrative use.

More than thousands of legal staff jobs available in New York City, Click Here for current openings.

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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