what states is a lawyer most needed

by Prof. Brooks Lindgren 6 min read

  1. Illinois. Our top state for lawyers based on the six metrics we considered is Illinois. ...
  2. Massachusetts. Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 of all states in our study and D.C. ...
  3. District of Columbia. Home to the federal government, the District of Columbia is a hot spot for lawyers. In 2018, D.C. ...
  4. California. With a number of large cities for lawyers to work in, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and its capital, Sacramento, California ranks fourth on our list.
  5. Florida. Florida ranks third on two of our density measures, the number of lawyers per 1,000 employees and law offices as a percentage of total establishments.
  6. New York. With many top law offices located in New York City, it is unsurprising that New York State ranks sixth on our list.
  7. Georgia. Georgia has had impressive growth in the number of lawyers residing in the state over the past five years.
  8. Colorado. Colorado ranks in the top 10 for half the metrics we considered. They include the number of lawyers per 1,000 workers, average income and earnings growth.
  9. Texas. Texas ranks in the top half of our rankings for each metric we considered, with average income for lawyers as its highest-ranking metric.
  10. Connecticut. Connecticut rounds out our list. It is the only state in our top 10 with negative employment growth over the past five years.

Here are the best states for Attorneys in 2022:
  1. New York. Total Attorney Jobs: 447. ...
  2. District of Columbia. Total Attorney Jobs: 229. ...
  3. Massachusetts. Total Attorney Jobs: ...
  4. California. Total Attorney Jobs: ...
  5. New Jersey. Total Attorney Jobs: ...
  6. Connecticut. Total Attorney Jobs: ...
  7. New Hampshire. Total Attorney Jobs: ...
  8. Maine. Total Attorney Jobs:
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Apr 6, 2021

Full Answer

What is the best country for a lawyer?

Top 10 Countries With the Highest Salary for Lawyers

  1. Switzerland -260,739 USD: Switzerland is at the top of our list of countries that reward their lawyers the best. With an average annual salary of $260,739. ...
  2. Canada – 193,796 USD: Canada is number two on our list with an average annual salary of $193,796. ...
  3. Australia – 142,033 USD: Australia is at the top three of our list. ...

More items...

What is the best state for lawyers?

What type of lawyer gets paid the most money?

  1. Immigration Lawyer. ...
  2. Civil Rights Lawyer. ...
  3. Family and Divorce Lawyers. ...
  4. Personal Injury. ...
  5. Criminal Defense Lawyers. ...
  6. Corporate Lawyers. ...
  7. Bankruptcy Lawyers. ...
  8. Real Estate Lawyers.

What do you need to become the best lawyer?

  • Maintain contact – Your client needs information and your assurances.
  • Answer and immediately issue discovery
  • Engage in aggressive motion practice, as needed – Your client needs to know she is a priority and you need the proper responses to best represent her.

More items...

What are the best cities for lawyers?

  • 100% organic farming
  • Colorado-grown hemp
  • Third-party lab tested
  • A large variety of products
  • Money-back guarantee

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Where are the most lawyers needed?

New York, NYTop 100 cities for lawyersRankCityJobs1New York, NY55,4802San Francisco, CA10,2603Washington, DC41,4604Miami, FL8,9308 more rows•May 19, 2015

What is the best state to be a lawyer in?

Key FindingsIllinois. Our top state for lawyers based on the six metrics we considered is Illinois. ... Massachusetts. ... District of Columbia. ... California. ... Florida. ... New York. ... Georgia. ... Colorado.More items...•

What lawyers are needed the most?

The Top 10 Lawyer Types You're Most Likely to NeedCivil Litigation Lawyer (a.k.a. Trial Attorney) ... Criminal Defense Lawyer. ... Defamation Lawyer (a.k.a. Libel and Slander Attorney) ... Business Lawyer (litigation or transactional) ... Family Lawyer (a.k.a. Domestic Relations Attorney; a.k.a. Divorce Lawyer) ... Traffic Lawyer.More items...•

What area of law is most in demand?

Most employers are seeking mid-level legal professionals with three to five years of experience....Most in-demand practice areasCommercial law.Litigation.Real estate law.Intellectual property.Family law.

What is the #1 law school in America?

Yale Law SchoolTop 50 Law SchoolsUSNWR RankLaw SchoolMedian LSAT1Yale Law School1732Harvard Law School1733Stanford Law School1714Columbia University Law School17146 more rows

Are lawyers in demand in USA?

Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 46,000 openings for lawyers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Which type of lawyer is in demand?

Among the types of lawyers, Corporate Law experts are in great demand due to their specialization in contract law, securities law, bankruptcy, tax law, accounting, intellectual property rights, licensing, zoning laws, etc.

What type of lawyer is the easiest?

What is the least stressful type of law to practice?Real estate law.Intellectual property law.High Street family law.Government lawyers.Working In-House.

Is a law degree worth it?

The highest 10% of lawyers earned median annual earnings of more than $208,000 in 2019. Some law school graduates forgo serving as a lawyer in order to have more work-life balance. There are many jobs you can do with a law degree and legal-related roles where having a J.D. may be an asset.

Is it hard finding a job as a lawyer?

It's easy to find a job as a lawyer, right? Not necessarily. Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all the graduating law school students.

Is law a good career 2021?

A year after the earliest Covid-19 cases hit the United States prompting a near-shutdown of the economy, there are more law firms and corporate legal departments hiring employees in 2021 than there are letting them go.

Which lawyers are in demand in USA?

Litigation and trial lawyers The Lawyers in the litigation field concerning civil and criminal cases are in high demand in the US.

How much will the number of lawyers grow in 2029?

Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs over the next 10 years is expected to be strong because more students graduate from law school each year than there are jobs available.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school. Most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

What is the role of a lawyer?

Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes. Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in a criminal or civil trial by presenting evidence and arguing in support of their client.

How many hours do lawyers work?

Some work for federal, local, and state governments. Most work full time and many work more than 40 hours a week.

What are the courses that law students take?

Law students may choose specialized courses in areas such as tax, labor, and corporate law. Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. Prospective lawyers take licensing exams called “bar exams.”. Lawyers who receive a license to practice law are “admitted to the bar.”.

How much will the legal profession grow in 2029?

Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for legal work is expected to continue as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in many areas.

What is a lawyer called?

In law firms, lawyers, sometimes called associates, perform legal work for individuals or businesses. Those who represent and defend the accused may be called criminal law attorneys or defense attorneys. Attorneys also work for federal, state, and local governments.

10 States Where Lawyers Earn the Most Money

The national average annual wage of an lawyer is $144,230, according to the BLS, which is not far from being three-times the average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. However, that average salary is for the U.S. overall, which hides significant differences depending on geography, such as the state you reside in.

10 States Where Lawyers Earn the Least Money

The bottom-10 states where lawyers make the least money tend to be ones less densely populated, and either in the South or the Mountain states of the West. Check them out below, with No. 1 being the lowest-paying state:

How Much Do Lawyers Make in Each State

Below you’ll find the average annual wage for lawyers in all 50 states from 2013 to 2018. Unfortunately, there was no 2018 data available for the average lawyer salary in Delaware from the BLS. The rank is included, as well as the five-year change in average annual wage in percent.

Why is it important to be a multistate lawyer?

More opportunities to grow your client base. The biggest benefit of being a multistate lawyer is that you open up a larger client base. For example, for states that lack population density for your niche legal practice area, being able to take cases from the other side of the state line is big.

Is it easier to practice in one state or two?

Admittedly, it is so much easier to just practice in one state. However, there are many benefits to becoming a multi-state lawyer, including increased flexibility and opportunities to grow your legal practice.

Is the second bar exam stressful?

The second bar exam was infinitely less stressful. Although taking bar exams in multiple states to become a multi-state lawyer is challenging, it could be a good option. This is because you’ll know how hard the first exam was. The second exam likely will not be that stressful.

Can I take another bar exam?

There is always the option of taking another bar exam. This tends to be a less popular option for multi-state lawyers—reciprocity and the UBE are typically much more popular options. My first bar exam in another state was an excruciating marathon, while struggling with unemployment, insomnia, and fear of failure.

Do you need multiple state bar licenses?

As mentioned, there is a great debate on whether you need multiple State Bar licenses if you are primarily practicing federal law. Some lawyers take the stance of “it’s primarily federal, so I’ll practice everywhere.” On the other hand, a lawyer who practiced bankruptcy law in Michigan while carrying only a Texas bar card was admitted to the federal court. Years of litigation later, the Sixth Circuit sided with him in a close decision and the issue remains cloudy outside of that circuit.

Do you need a separate state law exam?

A separate state laws exam or course may be required as well. At least one state that I encountered required residency or an intent to reside indefinitely within the geographic boundaries of that state for admission via UBE score transfer. As I said, the process for multi-state lawyers is anything but uniform.

What majors are required for law school?

However, the ABA suggests certain undergraduate majors over others, such as English, history, political science, philosophy, business, or economics.

How much do lawyers make in a year?

As of May 2019, lawyers in the United States averaged $122,960 per year. However, this comfortable salary does not come easily. Becoming a lawyer in any jurisdiction requires years of undergraduate and graduate education, passing challenging examinations, and maintaining licensure through continuing education.

What is the next step to become a lawyer?

If you hold a bachelors degree, the next step to become a lawyer is the LSAT Exam. Find information on exams. Lawyer Education. A bachelors degree will be your first step. There are pre-law degrees along with online legal studies programs. Or view ABA accredited universities. The State Bar Exam. The bar exam is the next step to become a lawyer.

What do real estate lawyers do?

Real estate lawyers deal with rights concerning land, water, and structures. Perhaps you need to determine whether a lien has been asserted against your property, or you need to carve out an easement. Maybe you need to divide one lot into two or more lots, or change the zoning classification, or move a boundary line.

What is a traffic lawyer?

Traffic Lawyer. Traffic lawyers are often considered a type of criminal-defense lawyer, but there’s a big difference between being accused of murder and being accused of running a red light, and different considerations come into play in formulating defense strategy.

What is transactional lawyer?

The transactional lawyer will incorporate your startup, help secure funding, draft your employment and non-disclosure agreements, issue stock, spin off subsidiaries, and countless other tasks associated with operating your business. Unlike the business litigation attorney, the transactional lawyer does not go to court.

Why do you need a defamation attorney?

You want a defamation attorney if you need to take someone to court for defaming your character through libel and/or slander, or if you’ve been accused of causing harm to the reputation of another individual or business by making false and defamatory statements of your own.

What is considered criminal defense?

Criminal Defense Lawyer. Courtroom proceedings are considered criminal in nature (as opposed to civil) when the state (through prosecuting attorneys) charges you with the commission of a crime. If you’ve been arrested, read your Miranda rights, and taken into custody by the police, you need a criminal defense lawyer.

Is business law a category?

In fact, “business law” is too broad a category to be meaningful. Business lawyers generally fall into two mutually exclusive categories: litigation and transactional. Business litigation (often referred to as commercial litigation) is a major subset of civil litigation (see above). Businesses sue each other all the time, for any number of reasons. ...

What is the legal oath required for a lawyer?

Prospective attorneys must take a legally binding oath that they will uphold the codes and the Constitution of the United States, as well as the laws and constitution of the licensing state.

How long is the bar exam?

Most bar exams take roughly 18 hours and are spread over three days, and are administered twice a year. The exam includes standardized questions and essays on a variety of areas of law used to assess an individual's understanding of the law and capacity for logical thought. 4. Character and Fitness Review.

What kind of services do lawyers provide?

Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases. Some lawyers specialize in one or two types, such as family and divorce law.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is an individual who is licensed to practice law in a state. Lawyers are also known as attorneys or an attorney at law. Some lawyers are licensed in multiple states. Some lawyers are admitted to practice at the Federal level as well.

Why do you need a lawyer for a contract?

Even in transactional civil matters, such as drafting a contract, a lawyer can be very helpful. A lawyer can make sure contracts are drafted correctly and avoid problems at a later date. A real estate purchase, business purchase, and/or creation of a trademark or copyright will most likely involve a lawyer.

Why is it important to have a family lawyer?

It is important in divorce cases for an individual to have a family lawyer representing them to ensure their rights are protected.

What is criminal law?

Criminal law is the body of laws that pertain to crimes. Crimes are actions or behaviors prohibited by state or federal laws. Crimes are punishable by fines, probation, and/or imprisonment. Usually, crimes are categorized as misdemeanors or felonies.

Do lawyers handle different types of cases?

There are many different types of lawyers that handle many different types of cases. Some cases may even overlap practice areas. Most lawyers have experience with a variety of cases and will be able to help you with your needs. Despite the prevalence of “lawyer jokes”, lawyers are service oriented and look out for the best interest of their clients.

Can a lawyer work in a law firm?

Lawyers can work in a law firm with other lawyers, with a partner, or practice by themselves in a solo practice. In most cases, a lawyer will be chosen based on the type of case, or practice area, and the location of the case. Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases.

Yes, it is possible to practice without a JD

Alison Monahan wrote about legal careers for The Balance Careers. She is a lawyer and founder of The Girl's Guide to Law School.

The History of Law Schools and Lawyer Careers

Working as an apprentice in a law office was how most people became lawyers in the United States centuries ago. The date of the first law school in the United States is debated, but the general consensus is that it was sometime during the late 1700s. We had lawyers before that time, however.

Where Can You Become a Lawyer

Pick your location carefully if you want to become a lawyer without going to law school. Only four states—California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington—allow potential law students to skip law school entirely.

Requirements

An apprentice is typically required to work a certain number of hours in a law practice each week for a given number of weeks. Some hours must be spent under the direct supervision of an attorney, and a certain number of study hours are also required.

The Advantages of Skipping Law School

The most obvious benefit of becoming a lawyer through a legal apprentice program is avoiding the high cost of a traditional legal education, which most students finance with student loans.

The Disadvantages of Skipping School

It's critical to decide where you want to live long term before entering an apprenticeship program because you probably won’t be admitted to practice in any other state. And potential clients and employers might be reluctant to hire anyone who didn't go to law school simply because it's so unusual.

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Can Lawyers Practice in Any State?

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Mostly, no. Most practice areas are governed by state law, and those will require a State Bar license. Even fields of law that are primarily federal—bankruptcy, immigration, etc.—may require a State Bar license. However, there has been considerable litigation and debate amongst the courts on that issue. The Sixth Cir…
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Benefits of Becoming A Multi-State Lawyer

  • More opportunities to grow your client base
    The biggest benefit of being a multistate lawyer is that you open up a larger client base. For example, for states that lack population density for your niche legal practice area, being able to take cases from the other side of the state line is big. For some practice areas(like business for…
  • Increased geographical flexibility
    With the law, they only offer a bar exam twice per year. Also, moving between states can throw your career off for months or even years. This is because you have to deal with licensure and character and fitness requirements. Personally, when I met my wife, I was licensed in California …
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Ethical Responsibilities of Becoming A Multi-State Lawyer

  • As mentioned, there is a great debate on whether you need multiple State Bar licenses if you are primarily practicing federal law. Some lawyers take the stance of “it’s primarily federal, so I’ll practice everywhere.” On the other hand, a lawyer who practiced bankruptcy law in Michigan while carrying only a Texas bar card wasadmitted to the federal court. Years of litigation later, the Sixt…
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Not Quite “Uniform” Bar Exam

  • It is no longer 50 states, 50 bar exams. Even the legendarily difficult New York state bar exam is now gone in favor of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). There are even rumors that California—the state that once had the longest, most difficult exam and zero reciprocity—may move to the UBE soon. The Uniform Bar Exam is at once a welcome change and a frustrating misnomer. While ea…
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How to Become A Multi-State Lawyer

  • Apply for reciprocity with other states’ bars
    Even if you did not take the uniform bar, there are other ways to get admitted in a state without taking another bar exam. Most states have some form of reciprocity where they will allow lawyers admitted in a reciprocal state to gain admission on application—no exam required. The states ty…
  • Take bar exams in multiple states
    There is always the option of taking another bar exam. This tends to be a less popular option for multi-state lawyers—reciprocity and the UBE are typically much more popular options. My first bar exam in another state was an excruciating marathon, while struggling with unemployment, inso…
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Transactional Lawyer vs. Litigator

  • The process of gaining admission to the bar will not vary based on whether or not you like to step into a courtroom. Similarly, the advantages are similar for transactional lawyers and litigators if they stack up a couple of bar cards. For transactional lawyers, other than the cost of admission, bar dues, and CLEs, there is very little downside to being a multi-state lawyer. You can probably …
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Federal Courts

  • As mentioned, there is a great debate about whether you need additional state licenses for practicing federal law out-of-state. Theoretically, if you are admitted to the federal court and the law is entirely federal, you should not need a local State Bar license. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get into trouble with the State Bar from the unauthorized practice of law. However, it is im…
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Practical Considerations For Multi-State Lawyers

  • For lawyers licensed in multiple states, be prepared to put in more work upfront. Trust accounts?Some states will allow you to piggyback on another state’s trust account if you are a multi-state legal practitioner. But most states will require their own. Finding a bank that can effectively handle lawyer trust accounts is challenging in itself. Finding a bank that can successf…
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You Could Benefit from Getting Licensed in Multiple States

  • Admittedly, it is so much easier to just practice in one state. However, there are many benefits to becoming a multi-state lawyer, including increased flexibility and opportunities to grow your legal practice. Today, with reciprocity and uniform bar admission, becoming a multi-state lawyer is a lot less challenging than before. If your circumstances require it or if you find it advantageous for y…
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