How Many Lawyer Jobs Are There in the US?
Law firms and government agencies are among the primary employers of lawyers. Newly graduated attorneys typically begin as associates before becoming partners as they gain experience. Additional opportunities arise due to retirements or transfers to different occupations.
Attorneys represent clients in criminal and civil legal proceedings, draft legal documents, manage or advise on transactions, specialize in one area of law or practice broadly.
Law Firms
At one time, becoming a lawyer seemed like one of those career moves that would withstand any economic downturn. Everyone needs lawyers at some point in time; so there were always going to be jobs available. Unfortunately, times have changed since then – with graduates competing for too few openings at law firm firms which account for most legal profession jobs – which have felt the impact.
The latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that legal services firms, government agencies, and other employers only added about 74,000 jobs over the last seven years in total – far lower than expected given both new lawyers entering the market as well as older ones leaving. This equates to approximately six newcomers competing for each opening with top firms often being their priority employers for these high-paying positions.
As the economy remains unstable, many firms are looking for ways to cut costs. Some have even outsourced legal tasks overseas – potentially leading to reduced lawyer employment opportunities.
As an attorney searching for their next position, it is key to remain adaptable and willing to put in hard work. Building up a support network of paralegals and legal secretaries who rely on you is key, while being open to shifting tasks should an opportunity arise that fits better with your skillset is also vital.
Cravath has a rich history dating back to 1819 and remains both friendly and large enough to attract top clients. The firm’s close knit culture, strong mentorship and high billable hours provide associates with an opportunity for challenging work from day one. Midwestern Sidley stands out for its global footprint and exceptional client roster; known for its dedication to diversity with generous bonuses for those volunteering their time; also providing a BOSS Lab which mentors associates across areas like healthcare and privacy & data security.
Government Counsels
Lawyers work in various environments. Law firms are the primary employers, though government agencies also utilize attorneys as needed. Public service can include serving as prosecutor or public defense lawyers at either a local jurisdiction level, statewide level or even nationally; others are needed to oversee cases involving IRS, Securities Exchange Commission or other regulatory bodies; those with expertise in finance or securities may be sought out by large companies and individuals to avoid financial fraud or insider trading.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that attorney jobs will continue to increase over time. This growth can be attributed to increasing population and business activity which require legal services; however, more law school graduates than available positions means increased competition for legal careers.
As these jobs can range from recent graduates to experienced lawyers with decades of practice, some jobs are filled by recent graduates while others may be held by attorneys with decades of experience – often called partners in their firms – while some offer higher salaries and greater responsibility; yet stress of the job can take its toll; according to one 2016 study 28% of lawyers suffer from depression.
As the market for attorney jobs changes, young graduate students are beginning to consider careers outside of law. This is particularly true of those looking for alternatives due to rising tuition fees and student loan burden. Furthermore, technology changes are disrupting legal profession. Some law school deans are considering shortening graduation times so as to help alleviate student debt while decreasing the need for private sector work immediately upon leaving law school.
Corporate Counsels
Law firms are the main employers of lawyers, while government agencies also represent significant hirers of legal talent. Both of these employers hire legal help for various issues including corporate transactions, legal disputes and disciplinary actions; reviewing legislation or policies may also require counsel services to draft these. Typically these positions involve extensive travel as they tend to be more senior than working at private firms.
Law firm employment has fallen in recent years for various reasons, such as increased competition and declining revenue. Many large companies are also cutting costs by hiring in-house legal services counsel instead of outsourcing work to law firms; many lawyers predict further job losses as automation advances further.
BLS projects that there are currently 804,200 lawyer jobs in the US, with 9 percent projected growth over the next decade. This growth can be found across different legal specializations including healthcare, intellectual property and privacy law; however, entry barriers such as high costs associated with law school education remain major obstacles to entering this profession.
Most US lawyer jobs are in private practice, meaning most new graduates begin as associates or junior attorneys before working their way up into becoming partners in their own law firm. Although this could potentially yield high earnings potential in this economic climate, this doesn’t guarantee them an attractive salary.
Only a minority of lawyers work in the public sector, typically for federal, state or local governments in roles like prosecuting cases or acting as defense counsel. Other public-interest lawyers provide legal services at discounted rates through charities and advocacy groups – these professionals are known as public interest lawyers.
Other lawyers specialize in particular fields of the law, such as real estate or taxation. Although their salary increases, job prospects still remain limited and intense competition from other lawyers for lucrative positions is an ongoing factor.
Public-Interest Lawyers
Government agencies have become an increasingly attractive job option among recent graduates of legal studies. Although law firms remain dominant, recent graduates often find government agency work more rewarding than corporate or private practice positions. Yet taking on public interest law presents its own set of unique challenges: these attorneys typically take on cases which use law to advance social or economic change – possibly working for non-profit organizations, government agencies or foundations and charities; their work often encompasses areas like civil rights, family law, environmental concerns, disability rights/death penalty/prisoner rights/prisoner’s rights/consumer law etc.
Attorney demand remains high as businesses and individuals require assistance with legal matters such as issues, disputes and lawsuits. According to projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, attorney employment will increase by an expected 8% over the next 10 years; many new job openings will arise due to retirees moving onto different occupations as existing workers move onto retirement or transfer elsewhere; along with growth driven by small businesses seeking legal services for legal matters.
Public-interest lawyers work for nonprofit groups like legal aid societies and law centers as well as government agencies such as the Department of Justice, district attorney’s offices, and public defender offices. They often offer their legal services at no or reduced rates to clients that typically belong to low income or disadvantaged backgrounds; their services may help fight employment or benefits battles or resolve legal matters related to domestic violence, children with special needs issues or criminal offenses.
Many students find it challenging to break into public-interest law directly out of school; organizations typically prefer attorneys with some experience over novice lawyers. It may be possible, though, to find internship opportunities within various public-interest settings – summer and/or school-year. It would also be wise to join a public-interest student organization, take clinic courses, or participate in pro bono opportunities provided by your school; these activities will allow you to demonstrate both passion for and aptitude in this area of law.
