Get to know the top legal recruiters in Lakewood who help attorneys connect with leading law firms and employers across the Denver metro area. With the Legal Recruiter Directory, you can access a complete list of boutique recruitment firms as well as larger agencies serving the Lakewood legal market.
Mestel & Company
Mestel & Company provides comprehensive legal recruiting services in Denver, in the Mountain West Region, and across the country, focusing on attorney placement of all levels. With a nationwide network and local expertise, they cater to law firms and corporations seeking top legal talent.
Job Opportunities
Lakewood offers a steady legal job market supported by its location within the Denver metropolitan area and its strong mix of residential, commercial, and government activity. Local firms frequently hire attorneys in civil litigation, real estate and land-use law, family law, employment law, estate planning, and small-business advising. The city’s proximity to Denver also creates opportunities for attorneys to work in hybrid roles or commute into larger firms while living in a more affordable suburban setting.
In-house counsel positions can be found with regional healthcare organizations, school districts, small to midsize businesses, and city or county government agencies. While the largest corporate and specialized legal roles remain concentrated in Denver, Lakewood provides meaningful opportunities for attorneys seeking community-oriented practice areas or a more balanced lifestyle within the Front Range.
The average attorney salary in Lakewood is approximately $96,940 per year. Compensation varies widely depending on practice area, experience level, and whether the role is based in Lakewood or part of the broader Denver legal market.
Professional development and networking opportunities for Lakewood attorneys include:
- Jefferson County Bar Association (JCBA): Offers local CLE programming, networking events, and community legal initiatives.
- Colorado Bar Association (CBA): Provides statewide practice sections, CLE, mentoring, and career development resources.
- Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA): Supports women attorneys across the state with leadership programs and networking.
- Denver Bar Association (DBA): Especially helpful for Lakewood attorneys who practice across the metro area or seek broader professional engagement.
Requirements to Practice Law
To be admitted and licensed to practice law in Lakewood (and throughout Colorado), you must:
- Earn a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school or otherwise meet the educational requirements recognized by the Colorado Supreme Court.
- Pass the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) and achieve Colorado’s minimum passing score of 276.
- Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a minimum scaled score of 85.
- Successfully complete a Character & Fitness investigation, including disclosure of personal, academic, and professional history, as required by the Colorado Office of Attorney Admissions.
- Complete the Colorado-specific Practicing with Professionalism Course following the bar exam.
- Take the required Oath of Admission and be formally admitted by the Colorado Supreme Court.
- Stay in good standing by completing Colorado’s mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements and maintaining active annual registration.
Why Lakewood?
Lakewood offers legal professionals a vibrant, well-connected setting that balances proximity to Denver with its own distinct character. Although the cost of living is nearly 30% higher than the national average, many find the trade-off appealing given Lakewood’s amenities, lifestyle, and convenient metro access.
The city’s neighborhoods span a wide range of tastes: historic districts like Belmar (with its walkable mix of shops, restaurants, and art), Green Mountain and West Lochwood (which offer hills, trails, and scenic views), and more family-oriented suburbs like Cloverdale and Morse Park with newer housing and parks.
Lakewood is rich in outdoor and cultural offerings: you’ll find the Bear Creek Lake Park and its trails, the Lakewood Cultural Center, access to nearby open-space and mountain recreation, and a revitalized downtown core with a Colorado flair. The climate brings sunshine, mild winters relative to mountain towns, and easy access to year-round outdoor living.
In short, for attorneys seeking an environment that offers both professional opportunity within the metro Denver legal market and a more manageable-sized community, Lakewood hits an attractive balance of lifestyle, access, and amenities.
Employers
Competition for legal talent is fierce. Gain the advantage and hire with confidence.
Candidates
Your next big opportunity is here.
We can help you find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lakewood benefits from a steady and well-rounded candidate pool, supported by its position within the Denver metropolitan area. Many attorneys living in Lakewood work locally in boutique or midsize practices, while others commute to Denver for broader opportunities. The pool is strongest in litigation, family law, real estate, estate planning, and small business advising. Access to Denver’s much larger attorney population expands the available talent base considerably.
Yes. Local demand tends to focus on community-centered practice areas, such as real estate and land-use law, civil litigation, family law, employment law, estate planning, and criminal defense. Lakewood’s growing residential and commercial development also drives demand for attorneys who understand zoning, municipal processes, and small-business needs. While large corporate and specialized roles are primarily located in Denver, Lakewood maintains consistent hiring for firms and agencies serving the western metro region.
The legal outlook is positive as Lakewood continues to grow alongside the broader Denver metro. Residential expansion, infrastructure investment, and commercial redevelopment are expected to generate ongoing demand for attorneys in real estate, construction, environmental, and business law. Continued population growth and the rise of hybrid work arrangements may also attract more attorneys to Lakewood, especially those seeking a suburban setting while maintaining access to Denver-based clients or firms.
For candidates exploring opportunities beyond Lakewood, nearby markets offer significant variety. Denver provides the largest number of legal openings in the state, including BigLaw, corporate, finance, and specialized litigation roles. Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Littleton have smaller but steady markets focused on litigation, municipal work, and family law. Moving farther along the Front Range opens additional opportunities in Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins, each with its own mix of private practice, government, and in-house roles.
Employers in Lakewood often look to Denver for experienced attorneys, particularly those with specialized skills in corporate, litigation, regulatory, and commercial matters. The University of Colorado (Boulder) and University of Denver law schools also supply strong entry-level candidates. Surrounding cities such as Golden, Arvada, and Littleton offer attorneys with local experience who may be open to lateral moves. Remote-friendly roles can even attract candidates from across Colorado or neighboring states seeking access to the Denver market while living in a suburban environment like Lakewood.
