As like many other areas of the country, lateral hiring for Boston law firm jobs continues, but has slowed and become more selective than in previous years. Those in possession of strong academic records and good credentials will have little trouble finding law firm jobs in Boston, particularly if they specialize in the realms of corporate or tax law, or if they are intellectual property specialists with strong science backgrounds.
All areas will find that selectivity has increased, and that significant experience and good records are being required. Environmental, bankruptcy, and litigation attorneys may have difficulty in the Boston area, as these are particularly soft realms for hiring. However, the right candidates may still be able to find positions in these areas. Compensation for the Boston area is approximately the same as the rest of the Northeast, with salaries between $130,000 and $160,000 per year for first year associates.
Overview of the Market for Law Firm Jobs in Boston
At many major Boston firms, lateral hiring continues, but much more selectively than in the past. Candidates with strong academic achievements and transactional experience with large firms will remain in demand. Litigation, however, is growing much more slowly, and those seeking jobs in this area may be disappointed.
Most firms continue to report demand for corporate Boston law firm jobs for junior to mid-level attorneys. The best area for associates is for those with good investment management experience, though attorneys familiar with mergers and acquisitions and private equity will also find good opportunities for employment, provided they have good credentials. In the current market, venture capital deals continue, creating a demand for corporate associates experienced with these deals.
Specialties Needed for Boston Law Firm Jobs
Unsurprisingly, given the state of the market, hiring for real estate law firm jobs in Boston is substantially slower than it was a year or more ago. There is still an occasional demand for candidates at the top of their field, associates with real estate credentials are not in strong demand. Instead, lateral hiring remains stronger in the intellectual property realm. Patent prosecution jobs are particularly common, and candidates with experience in electrical engineering will do very well.
In general, patent attorneys with good credentials are still in significant demand. Electrical engineering backgrounds are strongly favored, but life sciences credentials (particularly for associates who possess a Ph.D. in the field) of chemistry, biotechnology and computer science are also desirable. This is because the Massachusetts economy is still strongly influenced by biotech and software concerns, generating significant work for firms that specialize in intellectual property and general firms taking patent work alike.
Another area where there are Boston law firm jobs available is for attorneys who have fund formation experience and leveraged buyout experience, with the majority of jobs occurring at single and multi-office firms based out of Boston. Branch offices of national firms are also looking for people with these types of experiences.
Litigation hiring remains soft, though there are some jobs available for litigation associates who have very fine credentials. Employment and labor are also a weak area, even though they are often strengthened by economic downturns.
Partners who are looking for better positions will find a receptive marketplace, particularly corporate partners with portable billings in excess of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars. In other practice areas, partner opportunities are also available, and there's willingness to consider partners in smaller practices that have marketing potential. Branch offices of national firms trying to expand into the Boston market are the most likely to be looking for partners.
An increase in demand for experienced tax associates is coupled with the fact that associates with strong experience in corporate transactional matters are hard to come by. Associates with ERISA experience are also desirable. So far, bankruptcy lawyers have not experienced the increase in work they've been expected, with hiring staying weak. Environmental lawyers are also finding hiring to be infrequent for Boston law firm jobs.
Compensation for Law Firm Jobs in Boston
Benefits and salaries for attorneys in Boston are generally consistent with the New England area. Summer associates tend to be offered between $2,500 and $3,000 per week, and first year associates may make between $130,000 and $160,000 each year. As with all areas, the exact compensation package will depend on the firm and on the experience and specialty of the attorney.
Attorneys who have been judicial clerks may be compensated more, according to their experience under the clerkship, and a stipend or other compensation for bar exam and course expenses may be given to new lawyers joining a firm. In some cases, associates working with the firm for six months will receive a bonus. Common benefits include purchase of all needed technology for work, retirement plans and appropriate insurance plans for the attorney and his or her family.
Conclusion
The nationwide economic uncertainty has affected the Boston area as well as others, with law firm jobs in Boston becoming more difficult to find. Litigation and environmental law are particularly difficult to find positions in, and bankruptcy lawyers may also be disappointed.
However, attorneys specializing in intellectual property law, particularly those with an electrical engineering background, and corporate and tax lawyers will find that there are many Boston law firm jobs available. In general, all firms are becoming more selective about candidates, and prefer to have those with very good credentials.
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 November 24, 2008
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
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.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
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
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!
