Employment Opportunities in Atlanta’s Legal Sector
The legal job market in Atlanta has evolved dramatically over the last decade. A variety of factors have influenced and shaped the trends that currently exist. For example, in the great recession of 2007-2008, just like other major cities across the country, the Atlanta legal sector contracted. This meant fewer legal professionals were needed, which of course put upward pressure on salaries and downward pressure on overall employment opportunities. As the 2007-2016 economic expansion has progressed, legal employment opportunities have increased. At present, hiring and firing of both lawyers and staff is occurring at a much faster pace than in the past. In turn, this has caused a relatively high turnover rate among legal professionals in the Atlanta area (lawyers and staff), as legal professionals actively seek the best opportunities available.
In terms of trends, we continue to see an increase in demand for attorneys with technology knowledge. In addition , legal organizations in Atlanta are transferring much of their hiring focus to in-house legal departments rather than outside law firms. An increasing number of legal organizations in Atlanta and elsewhere are using predictive analytics in the hiring process (predictive analytics is a form of data mining). Also, the private equity/investor sector continues to be a strong area of practice in the Atlanta legal market, with demand for attorneys in this area continuing to grow.
Overall, the legal sector in Atlanta is definitely growing. While the demand for lawyers in Atlanta is high, the growth in legal employment in general is being fueled by a continued hiring surge of legal support staff. In Atlanta, legal organizations are hiring more and more legal professionals to cope with steady growth in business and higher billing demands. Most notably, Atlanta has experienced a surge in recent years of the hiring of paralegals, legal assistants and junior lawyers. Junior lawyers are hired at starting salaries that are generally higher than what would have been offered in the past.
The Atlanta legal community is generally optimistic about the future.
Leading Law Firms in Atlanta Offering Legal Positions
Among the most prominent law firms in Atlanta hiring for open legal roles today are:
King & Spalding
With nearly 1,000 attorneys in over 20 offices worldwide, King & Spalding offers a wide range of sophisticated legal services. The firm was founded in 1885 in Atlanta, and has earned a reputation as one of the top U.S. law firms for business. King & Spalding was recognized in 2019 as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the 21st consecutive year. Areas of specialization include Corporate, Litigation, Real Estate, Finance, Intellectual Property, Technology and Life Sciences, to name a few.
Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells is home to over 800 dedicated lawyers in more than 14 countries. The global law firm in Atlanta provides a rich network of professionals who speak over 25 languages and focus on diverse areas of the law. The firm has been anchored by the South for over 200 years, beginning life in the cradle of the law. They offer clients deep understanding and insight, state-of-the-art facilities, as well as an olde world sophistication. The firm’s clients are innovative businesses that operate at the cutting-edge where they live, work, and play.
Alston & Bird
This law firm was founded in Atlanta in 1893 as Alston, Garner, Austin & Wilcox, and has evolved over time to become a full-service law firm with nearly 900 attorneys in dozen plus key markets across the country and around the world. With an exceptional combination of depth, breadth & experience, Alston & Bird specializes in a wide variety of legal matters. The firm’s corporate, intellectual property and litigation practices rank among the largest and most highly regarded in the United States.
Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small
Founded in 1992, Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small is an all-partner firm with over 40 lawyers and staff members committed to providing high quality services and outstanding value to their clients. Their attorneys are seasoned, knowledgeable, and trusted advisors in their respective fields. Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small’s five practice groups support a wide spectrum of businesses, including emerging growth and manufacturing businesses, family enterprises, professional practices, and closely held businesses.
Greenberg Traurig
With over 2,200 attorneys and an extensive support team offering services in more than 40 locations worldwide, Greenberg Traurig is one of the leading law firms in the world. The Atlanta office is home to 200 attorneys and 80 business professionals. Both Chambers USA and The American Lawyer have consistently praised the Atlanta office for their pre-eminent practices in real estate, litigation and health care, as well as high-profile private and public clients. Approximately one quarter of the firm’s equity partners are women or of color, with 20% being LGBTQ.
The recruiting team at BCG Attorney Search constantly tracks job openings throughout the legal field and surveys hiring partners to rank law firms by those that are currently hiring. Our firm’s long-time job placement record speaks for itself: we’ve placed thousands of candidates in top legal positions all over the U.S., Canada, and even in overseas locations.
Variety of Legal Career Paths in Atlanta
While many lawyers in Atlanta will always find their place in law firms, many alternative legal careers exist. Corporate hiring remains strong in the Atlanta area, and there are many legal-related career opportunities outside of the law firm environment for those with an advanced degree of some sort.
The job growth rate for lawyers in Georgia from 2016 to 2026 is higher than the nationwide increase. For legal professionals, the Atlanta job market is trending up. A large city like Atlanta draws international attention for various reasons such as business, entertainment, technology, and education, all areas where legal professionals are needed.
In addition to the private sector positions, government job growth is on the rise in the Atlanta metro area. From the City of Atlanta to the State of Georgia, the need for attorneys, legal analysts, and paralegals is robust and showing no signs of slowing down. Many of these types of lawyers transition into external counsel for a myriad of regulatory complaints or litigations and allow those lawyers to consult with their government employer. There are also a number of NGOs and not for profit companies that offer growth opportunities in the area.
Legal careers do not have to be spent sitting behind a desk all day, especially with the variety of options available for those with legal experience. The legal industry is expanding, and there’s no shortage of opportunities.
Key Qualifications for Legal Jobs in Atlanta
The skills and qualifications in the Atlanta legal market that employers seek are as diverse as their firm environments and customer bases. However, some commonalities can be discerned by looking through recent job listings for Atlanta legal positions.
For weeks now, we have been going through our data to determine trends in the legal market in Atlanta, and while most people probably would have expected a bit of a decryption of employment trends, this was definitely a place where we were taken aback. Talking to recruiters these days about the trends and taste of employers, one thing that is consistently cropping up is the value that current employees are putting in their office cultures and how much they are valuing these over law school prestige or other traditional value systems. What we realize when taking a look at these jobs ads for Atlanta attorneys is that the skill sets required of legal professionals are not ones that are reserved for just the attorneys coming out of school and becoming associates for large firms. Many of the skills that are listed are ones that could easily be directed towards employers of all types in regards to looking at their own employees. These include: Organizational Skills: Again, it is not just the attorneys that are being hired that need this, but it is the whole office that functions better when organization is the main focus. It is the difference between knowing where there is a missing piece of evidence in a trial, and setting up meetings that benefit everyone, instead of just the most senior attorney in the room. Soft Skills: The ability to work well with others is a requirement to hold a job in the first place, and it is the second most desired skill in this market. After all the cases are won and the money is paid, a firm that is full of bickering employees is going to miss out on any referrals that those associates could have brought to the table in the future. Flexibility: In today’s legal market, your job description is not guaranteed, and with smaller firms particularly, you are going to be asked to wear a lot of hats. This includes being able to help out in areas that you may feel you are over your head in. So we have learned that employers want their employees to have useful skills that can be applied beyond just their current position. The ALC associates are taught these skills and then go out into the market to see how these skills are utilized at all levels of the law firm.
Networking and Professional Organizations in Atlanta
In today’s competitive legal landscape, establishing a robust professional network is crucial. In the heart of the South, Atlanta boasts a rich tapestry of legal professionals and associations that can provide the valuable connections necessary for career advancement. Attorneys in Atlanta are encouraged to actively pursue networking opportunities to keep their finger on the pulse of the legal community and to open doors for collaboration and career advancement.
One of the most important associations for lawyers practicing in the Atlanta market is the State Bar of Georgia. This statewide professional organization is on the cutting edge of legal advocacy, education, and information regarding the practice of law in Georgia. Online publications and newsletters offered by the State Bar of Georgia keep attorneys informed about the latest developments in regulatory law, professional conduct, and other issues affecting the profession.
The Atlanta Bar Association is another useful organization with resources offered to help legal professionals hone their skills and explore the intricacies of the law in metropolitan Atlanta . Attorneys can participate in chapters of their practice area, as well as sections, committees, and forums to help build connections within their field. These smaller organizations offer the opportunity to network directly with fellow attorneys across a wide variety of fields, from personal injury to intellectual property.
Of course, there is no substitute for direct interactions with others in the legal profession. Attending functions and social gatherings hosted by the Atlanta Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, and other legal organizations is an excellent practice for fostering valuable relationships. The legal community in Atlanta is a close-knit one, and an important part of maintaining interpersonal relationships is networking.
As a future legal professional, putting yourself forward to meet new people is one of the most important parts of forging and maintaining important bonds with others in your field. Referencing active online groups, online publications, and the respective organizations mentioned above will help you stay abreast of the latest developments in the Atlanta legal community.
How to Search for Legal Positions in Atlanta
Living in Atlanta and searching for a law job is not without its challenges. Particularly for those that have recently relocated, options may be limited. Here are some job search strategies that have proven to be effective:
Job Boards are your friend. Legal employment opportunities can be found posted on most major job boards, including Indeed, Simply Hired and more. Moreover, they currently continue to be the primary source of employment opportunities for many major law firms and companies. If you want to keep really close tabs on opportunities as soon as they become available, set up a daily or weekly alert to receive an email from these job boards with all of the current openings in the legal field in Atlanta.
Networking is your best friend. Many law firm jobs and legal positions with corporations are filled through networks from referrals. Start networking everywhere you can, whether it’s with family, friends, neighborhood contacts or your acquaintances from church. There are many local bar associations and legal professional organizations throughout Atlanta. You can also try attending one of the many alumni functions available through your law school.
Legal Recruiters Who Specialize in the Atlanta Market. The majority of legal recruiters in Atlanta specialize in law firm opportunities. However, just as important, some of the agencies have "in-house" recruiting departments for corporate law departments. We represent some of the most nationally-ranked law firms and corporations in the country, from large, multi-national to mid-sized and boutique firms. Keep in mind, however, the competition in Atlanta is fierce, so we recommend seeking assistance only if you are looking at a senior-level position. For more junior attorney jobs, we suggest concentrating your efforts with networking.
Compensation Trends for Legal Professionals in Atlanta
Salary expectations for legal jobs in Atlanta can vary significantly by the level of experience expected as well as the area of law practiced. The average salary for an entry-level attorney position in Atlanta is around $70,000 per year. New associates fresh out of law school can expect compensation in the range of $70,000 to $80,000 per year.
Mid-level associates are considered to be between three and five years out of law school. Salaries for these positions typically range from $100,000 to $130,000 per year. Senior associate positions usually require five-plus years of experience. These positions will likely offer compensation starting at $150,000 per year and may go as high as $200,000+ depending on the legal practice area.
Corporate in-house counsel positions will offer a wider range of salaries. Entry-level positions with corporations will likely pay less than $100,000 per year. In-house counsel positions for well-established corporations that require significant experience can pay up to $200 , 000 or more. Senior corporate executives often earn in excess of $300,000 per year.
Government and state employment opportunities as an attorney will offer a much lower average salary. Entry-level government prosecutor and defender positions often pay around $50,000 per year. More senior-level positions will likely pay slightly less than average private-sector salaries at around $80,000 to $90,000 per year.
Top legal employment opportunities in Atlanta will always command above-average salaries. Positions with Tier 1 law firms, such as Holland & Knight or Jones Day, will likely pay in the $200,000 range. These leading national law firms are difficult to get hired by and are very competitive. Keep in mind that large firms typically average longer hours than corporations or public sector positions. As a result, there is often an expectation that 60- to 80-hour work weeks will often be required.