A Glimpse at the Orlando Legal Scene
The Orlando legal job market is a dynamic and vibrant one driven by the diverse range of industries in the Central Florida region. Orlando is known for its hospitality and tourism industry, making it a hub for resort development, tourism law, and entertainment-related positions. The growing technology and manufacturing sectors also contribute to a robust demand for intellectual property attorneys, in-house counsel, and legal professionals specializing in corporate law.
In recent years, the legal industry in Orlando has seen growth not only in traditional law firms but also in government agencies, non-profits, and corporate legal departments. This diversified employment landscape allows for a wide array of opportunities across various legal practice areas. Specialty areas such as family law, real estate, personal injury , criminal law, and community association law also remain in demand.
One noteworthy characteristic of Orlando’s legal market is its emphasis on work-life balance and salary competitiveness. Law firms and companies tend to offer flexible work arrangements while maintaining competitive compensation packages. The region is also known for its relatively low cost of living, which adds to the attraction of working in Orlando.
Overall, while traditional private practice roles remain foundational, there is an increasing need for legal professionals in niche areas that reflect the region’s unique industry demands. Whether you are a new attorney looking to start your career or an experienced professional seeking to transition or advance, the Orlando legal job market offers a variety of opportunities to explore.
Leading Legal Roles in Orlando
Orlando hiring managers need attorneys, paralegals, clerks and other legal professionals to support their firms or departments. Orlando law firms and legal departments of corporations need qualified candidates who have strong analytical skills; experience with technology and case management software; superior research and writing dexterity; and a solid record of client service. They also prefer paralegals who bring skills in word processing, research, and familiarity with automated case management systems. This is the profile of the top legal positions in Orlando that employers are trying to fill:
Orlando Law Firms
Shareholders – 1-4 years of experience as an attorney; some will be non-equity and others will be equity shareholders; typically need portable business
Senior Associates – 4-10 years of experience as an attorney; may or may not be on a path to partnership
Associates – 0-3 years of experience; entry level position
Operations Managers – work closely with firm leadership and Human Resources; prioritize and streamline internal operations; guide hiring practices and strategies; focus on maximizing efficiencies in firm financial and client development practices while also allocating resources in accordance with firm goals and policies
Managers of Legal Recruiting, Firm Training and Development and Marketing – assist with all aspects of recruiting, training and developing staff and attorneys. Also, manage all marketing and public relations initiatives
Orlando Corporate Legal Departments
Corporate Counsel – 3-5 years of experience; skills include drafting/reviewing all types of commercial contracts and agreements; experience/capacity in managing corporate structure and governance; some M&A experience; intellectual property drafting; performing the regular roles of a General Counsel
Paralegal – this is a coveted position in Orlando because the role is relatively autonomous, and there is significant variation in the type of work performed depending upon both the industry and the individual counsel
Operations Managers – in a legal department, duties are similar to those performed in a law firm; also responsible for analyzing and identifying opportunities for legal and business process improvements
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant
Paralegals perform procedures and conduct research that requires a specialized knowledge of legal procedures and strategies. Legal assistants take what the attorney provides them and put it into a format that is needed.
Major Employers in Orlando’s Legal Industry
The legal industry in Orlando has a number of major employers, including several large law firms, corporate legal departments and government entities that hire legal talent. On the private side, national firms with offices in the city include BakerHostetler, Foley & Lardner, Holland & Knight, Carlton Fields, Nelson Mullins and Shutts & Bowen, among others. More regional firms include Akerman, GrayRobinson, Greenberg Traurig, KU Law, Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell and Trenam Law.
In-house legal departments include employers like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and embraer. Additionally, a number of legal staffing companies in Orlando recruit for both temporary and full-time positions. More than 11,000 people work in the Orlando legal services sector, with around 5,000 in law firms.
Government agencies are among the largest employers in Orlando in terms of those that seek to hire directly. The local offices of the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Labor, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Office of the Attorney General are all located in Orlando.
Connecting and Growing Your Legal Network
In the legal industry, networking is essential for career advancement. Many opportunities arise from conversations over coffee or lunch, rather than through formal job postings. Establishing a strong professional network opens doors to new opportunities, mentors, and advice. In Orlando, aspiring legal professionals can join the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (CFAWL), a professional association that hosts networking events and provides invaluable support through mentorship programs. The Orange County Bar Association also offers local networking opportunities and is home to the Young Lawyers Section. Events such as the ABA Solo & Small Firm Conference or the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center’s upcoming TechShow provide further networking opportunities . The American Bar Association hosts the Law Student Division Networking Reception at its annual conference, allowing students from across the U.S. to meet potential employers. For law students focused on criminal defense, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) will host its annual meeting and seminar at the Orlando World Center in July. For those looking to focus in a specific practice area, additional networking events include: the National Bar Association’s annual convention in July, the National Black Prosecutors Association Annual Seminar in July, and the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants 36th Annual Educational Conference in April.
Tracking Down Legal Careers in Orlando
Job-search strategies vary, but the core fundamentals remain the same. Commonly-used job-search strategies include: online job boards for jobs in Orlando, staffing agencies or recruiter services, and reaching out to law firms and companies directly.
Online resources like LinkedIn, Indeed.com, SimplyHired, and Monster.com are great for getting a full picture of the Orlando legal job market. These websites aggregate thousands of open jobs on hundreds of individual websites, allowing you to search by city, industry, or profession. This is a great way to generate a list of targeted prospective employers.
Staffing and recruiting agencies specializing in attorney placements also have their place in a successful job search. Agencies don’t charge fees to candidates — they are paid by the hiring company — making it a free resource that is underutilized by most job seekers. A recruiter can help you extend your search and give you useful feedback along the way to assist in targeting successful prospects.
For lateral attorneys, "cold calling" is also an option. Most of the time, opening a conversation with Osaka is as easy as sending us your resume and initiating a dialog about what you’re looking for in your next position. If we like what we see when we speak with you, we’ll take it from there.
The Legal Community and Culture in Orlando
Orlando’s legal community is composed of a tight-knit group of legal professionals and firms that possess a strong sense of community. Although not as dense in the number of firms compared to larger metropolitan markets, Orlando’s legal community is no less active in their efforts to nurture a robust camaraderie among their peers. Many Orlando law firms have a long-standing history within the community and take great pride in fostering and maintaining their relationships within the memory of those who have come before us. In this sense, members of the Orlando legal community enjoy a collegiality that incorporates a wide network of relationships among colleagues in other firms, judges and the business community.
The Tampa Bay area has been consistently ranked as one of the most diverse in the country . It comes as no surprise that many Orlando law firms have a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Many Orlando firms have established programs and initiatives that demonstrate their commitment to diversity, including several who have received multiple accolades from Chambers US and Florida Trend regarding their diversity achievements.
From the Arts District and Amway Center to Lake Eola and the iconic "Lake Eola swan," the Orlando community is constantly evolving as a great place to live and work. Orlando law firms are also active in supporting these community efforts by providing pro bono work and sponsoring events for the benefit of our beloved downtown area. The Orlando legal community works hard and plays harder, and it brings together some of the best and brightest individuals to practice in the context of an idyllic city that boasts year-round sunshine.