Many new law graduates enter their field with false hopes that it will be glamorous; unfortunately, however, that is far from the truth.
Some attorneys clerk for local, state and federal judges. This work can serve as an excellent pathway to future career success.
Other lawyers work for large businesses. Their roles may include contract negotiating and management as well as corporate governance issues such as regulatory matters or litigation.
Chicago
Law firms are some of the top employers for legal professionals in the U.S. New graduates can gain valuable experience at entry-level positions before being considered for senior associate and partner levels. Large corporations with their own legal departments also hire in-house attorneys – healthcare facilities, consulting firms, financial companies and insurers are among those that frequently employ these teams directly.
Some legal practice areas are experiencing high demand, including cybersecurity, student loan, health, I.P. and cannabis law. These fields of law offer new attorneys opportunities to break into emerging fields of practice.
The City of Chicago Department of Law seeks talented and motivated attorneys. It serves the Mayor, City departments, boards, and commissions in developing policies and programs to benefit Chicago residents. Attorneys may expect to work in either an on-site or remote environment and will be provided with support staff to communicate with clients and manage cases as per their direction.
Miami
Miami law firm jobs can be demanding yet rewarding. With its bustling economy and numerous multinational companies headquartered here, as well as an expanding nonprofit sector that requires legal professionals, Miami offers diverse law firm employment opportunities that offer exciting careers in diverse settings.
Brett Trembly of Trembly Law in Miami specializes in handling workplace cases related to sexual harassment and wrongful termination, among others. Their focus includes employment discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour violations as well as lawsuits concerning unpaid wages or overtime pay.
However, work can be challenging in Seattle. Deborah Magid of HELP Inc and a law school professor sees female attorney discrimination; however it is less prevalent here than in Washington D.C or Chicago; also, complaints have been lodged against African-American colleagues being overlooked for opportunities due to racial preferences among decision-makers.
San Francisco
Attorneys seeking partnerships or who wish to specialize in certain branches of law may benefit from working in cities with high demand and median salaries; however, different areas have their own advantages and disadvantages.
San Francisco is an ideal city for practicing corporate or tech law due to the presence of large tech companies headquartered there, while its proximity to Silicon Valley may present additional job opportunities and result in faster career advancement rates.
As for attorneys specializing in labor and employment law, New York provides ample opportunity for these professions. Situated near the Hudson River, this city features one of the highest concentrations of law firms nationwide – offering attorneys ample opportunity to advance their careers. However, living costs may prove prohibitive; therefore Oxnard may provide better balance between work life balance and life outside work since its median salaries offer more financial security for living expenses.
Washington D.C.
Capital City United States of America (DCUSA) is home to one of the most competitive legal markets. Top firms here specialize in complex legal work and are known as some of the best places for associates looking to start their career.
DC firms differ significantly from their NYC counterparts by concentrating their practices in only a handful of practice areas: government investigations (which often include antitrust), international trade, environmental, regulatory law and environmental. Large firms frequently offer regulatory practice areas as well, offering clients assistance as they attempt to navigate federal bureaucracy when opening or expanding businesses.
Whoever wishes to enter this industry must network early and be willing to move their careers over to Capitol Hill where positions don’t conform to traditional legal roles — junior attorneys taking on major responsibilities across practice areas — plus competitive lateral hiring rates are usually more evident here.