Irvine, California, is home to a thriving business community, making it a hub for legal talent across various sectors. The city’s strong economic foundation, driven by industries such as technology, real estate, healthcare, and finance, provides numerous opportunities for legal professionals. Many of the region’s largest companies, from Fortune 500 corporations to innovative startups, maintain significant in-house legal departments, ensuring a steady demand for top-tier legal expertise. Additionally, Irvine’s proximity to Los Angeles and its role in Orange County’s legal market further enhance its appeal to lawyers seeking diverse career paths.
Biggest Law Firms in Irvine
- Knobbe Martens: Founded in 1962, Knobbe Martens is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., with over 300 attorneys across several offices. Based in Irvine, the firm is known for its expertise in patent prosecution, trademark, and litigation. The firm represents a wide range of clients, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, and has worked on notable cases in the tech and biotech industries.
- Rutan & Tucker, LLP: With roots dating back to 1906, Rutan & Tucker is one of California’s oldest and most respected full-service law firms. Based in Irvine, the firm has over 150 attorneys and offers a wide array of legal services, including business litigation, real estate, and government law. Notably, the firm has represented major clients in landmark real estate and municipal law cases, making it a key player in Orange County’s legal landscape.
- Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP:Founded in 1977, Allen Matkins is a prominent West Coast law firm with a reputation for its real estate, litigation, and corporate law practices. The firm operates across five offices in California, including Irvine. It has over 200 attorneys and is regularly recognized for its work with commercial real estate developers, investors, and large corporations. Allen Matkins has been involved in several high-profile real estate transactions and development projects.
- Troutman Pepper: Troutman Pepper, the result of a 2020 merger between Troutman Sanders and Pepper Hamilton, is a leading Am Law 100 firm with over 1,200 attorneys nationwide. The firm’s Irvine office offers a wide range of legal services, from business litigation to finance and corporate law. Known for its deep industry expertise, Troutman Pepper regularly handles high-stakes litigation and complex corporate transactions for major clients.
- Latham & Watkins LLP: Latham & Watkins, one of the largest law firms in the world, was founded in 1934 and is consistently ranked in the Am Law 100. With more than 3,000 attorneys worldwide, the firm operates across 31 offices, including its Irvine location. Known for its work in corporate law, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, Latham & Watkins has represented major global clients in landmark deals and litigation, making it a powerhouse in the legal industry.
- Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP: Founded in 1927, Sheppard Mullin is a global law firm with well over 1,000 attorneys across 15 offices. Its Irvine office provides expertise in areas like corporate law, labor and employment, and litigation. Sheppard Mullin has a strong presence in Southern California and has been involved in high-profile cases involving major corporations. The firm is also recognized for its innovative legal solutions and strong client relationships.
- Littler Mendelson P.C.: Littler Mendelson is the world’s largest employment and labor law firm, founded in 1942 and headquartered in San Francisco. With over 1,500 attorneys across more than 80 offices globally, including Irvine, Littler specializes in representing employers in all matters related to labor and employment law. The firm has been involved in significant employment law cases, shaping legal precedent in areas such as workplace discrimination and wage and hour disputes.
- Fisher Phillips LLP: Founded in 1943, Fisher Phillips is a national law firm with more than 500 attorneys in 37 offices, including Irvine. Specializing in labor and employment law, the firm represents employers in all aspects of workplace issues. Fisher Phillips has a reputation for providing proactive legal counsel, particularly in industries such as healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. The firm has worked on key cases that have shaped employment law in the U.S.
- Jones Day: Jones Day, one of the largest law firms globally, was founded in 1893 and has more than 2,500 attorneys across 40 offices. Its Irvine office plays a key role in the firm’s West Coast operations, focusing on complex litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property law. Jones Day has represented many Fortune 500 companies in significant legal matters and is consistently ranked as a top-tier law firm.
- Buchalter: Buchalter, established in 1948, is a full-service business law firm with over 200 attorneys across nine offices, including Irvine. The firm specializes in corporate law, litigation, and real estate, serving clients in various industries, from healthcare to financial services. Buchalter has a strong presence on the West Coast and is known for its client-centered approach and involvement in major business transactions and real estate deals.
Irvine
Irvine’s legal market is closely tied to its booming technology, healthcare, and real estate sectors. As a key part of Southern California’s innovation corridor, lawyers in Irvine often specialize in corporate law, intellectual property, and real estate transactions. The city’s proximity to major tech companies and medical device manufacturers creates ample opportunities for legal professionals to work on high-profile deals, patent litigation, and regulatory matters. Irvine’s strong business environment and growing economy make it an attractive destination for legal talent.
Biggest Companies Employing Lawyers
Securing a legal position with one of Irvine’s top employers often requires the assistance of a skilled legal recruiter. The city is home to several major corporations that maintain in-house legal departments, providing a range of opportunities for lawyers specializing in everything from corporate transactions to intellectual property. Working with a recruiter can help you navigate the competitive market, gain access to hidden opportunities, and secure a position at one of these prominent companies.
- Broadcom Inc.: Founded in 1991, Broadcom is a global leader in semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions. With headquarters in Irvine, the company employs over 20,000 people worldwide, including a robust in-house legal team. Broadcom’s legal department plays a crucial role in managing intellectual property, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and international trade matters. Broadcom is frequently involved in high-profile patent cases and tech industry mergers, making it an attractive employer for lawyers with expertise in technology law.
- Edwards Lifesciences: Edwards Lifesciences, established in 1958, is a leading medical technology company specializing in cardiovascular treatments. With over 17,000 employees globally, including a strong presence in Irvine, the company’s legal team handles regulatory issues, patent protection, and healthcare compliance. As a key player in the medical device industry, Edwards Lifesciences has been involved in several notable FDA approvals and landmark patent cases, offering exciting opportunities for lawyers interested in healthcare and patent law.
- Western Digital: Western Digital, founded in 1970, is one of the largest manufacturers of data storage solutions in the world. Headquartered in Irvine, the company employs more than 60,000 people globally. Western Digital’s legal department handles complex matters related to intellectual property, corporate governance, and international trade. The company has been involved in significant intellectual property litigation and corporate mergers, making it an appealing employer for lawyers with expertise in IP and corporate law.
- Blizzard Entertainment: A subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Blizzard Entertainment is a renowned video game developer and publisher founded in 1991. Based in Irvine, Blizzard employs thousands of professionals, including a dedicated legal team that manages intellectual property, licensing, and entertainment law matters. Known for iconic games like World of Warcraft and Overwatch, Blizzard’s legal department is regularly involved in handling high-profile copyright cases, making it a prime destination for lawyers interested in the entertainment and gaming industries.
- The Irvine Company: Founded in 1864, The Irvine Company is one of the largest real estate development firms in California. Headquartered in Irvine, the company employs a substantial legal team to manage real estate transactions, land use, and environmental compliance. Known for its role in shaping the city of Irvine, the company has been involved in some of the largest real estate deals in Southern California. Lawyers specializing in real estate, land use, or environmental law will find The Irvine Company a major player in the legal market.
- Pacific Life: Established in 1868, Pacific Life is a leading insurance company headquartered in Newport Beach, with a large corporate presence in Irvine. With more than 3,000 employees, the company’s legal team plays a vital role in regulatory compliance, litigation, and corporate transactions. Pacific Life’s legal department is responsible for overseeing insurance regulations, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, and handling corporate governance issues, making it a significant employer for attorneys in insurance and corporate law.
- Kia Motors America: Kia Motors America, the U.S. subsidiary of South Korean auto giant Kia, is headquartered in Irvine and employs over 1,000 people in the region. Kia’s legal team handles matters related to corporate compliance, product liability, and intellectual property. The automotive industry’s fast pace and frequent involvement in regulatory matters make Kia an exciting employer for lawyers with an interest in manufacturing, compliance, and product liability law.
- Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian: Founded in 1952, Hoag is one of Southern California’s leading healthcare providers, with a significant presence in Irvine. Hoag employs a wide range of legal professionals to manage healthcare compliance, medical malpractice defense, and corporate law. As healthcare regulations continue to evolve, Hoag’s legal team plays a crucial role in ensuring the organization meets federal and state healthcare standards, making it a major employer for lawyers specializing in healthcare law.
- FivePoint Holdings: FivePoint Holdings is a leading real estate developer focused on creating large-scale, mixed-use communities across California. Headquartered in Irvine, FivePoint’s legal team manages real estate transactions, land use, and environmental regulations. The company’s involvement in the development of communities like Irvine’s Great Park offers unique opportunities for lawyers interested in real estate development and environmental law.
- CoreLogic: CoreLogic, a leading provider of property data and analytics, was founded in 2010 and is based in Irvine. The company employs over 5,000 people and maintains an extensive in-house legal department. CoreLogic’s legal team focuses on data privacy, intellectual property, and compliance with financial regulations. As a leader in the property and financial services sectors, CoreLogic provides ample opportunities for lawyers specializing in data privacy and regulatory compliance.
