Are you active in the Fort Lauderdale legal industry? Are you an attorney looking to relocate to the Fort Lauderdale area, and searching for the right job? Legal professionals in search of the right job and firms and corporations in search of the right candidates now have an exhaustive resource for finding solutions to their employment challenges: The Legal Recruiter Directory. Our directory is built to help legal professionals and law firms network with the right legal headhunters that can help them navigate the recruitment process. Our extensive directory puts all the location-based information that you need in one place so that you can find the right legal recruiter.
Verified Fort Lauderdale Area Legal Recruiters
Garcia Legal Search, LLC is a firm devoted exclusively to attorney placement. We assist law firms and corporations in locating the best and brightest legal talent in the Fort Lauderdale area.
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All Other Fort Lauderdale Area Legal Recruiting Firms:
The above list of Fort Lauderdale legal headhunting firms can be of great assistance to legal professionals and legal employers alike. These recruiting firms are actively engaged in the recruitment process, and ready to work with the best legal candidates and clients.
Job Opportunities
Located 28 miles north of Miami in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, falls within Miami’s sprawling metropolitan corridor of over 6 million people. First settled in the 1800s as a series of military forts for housing U.S. troops, Fort Lauderdale is now a major oceanside tourist attraction that’s also a “must-see” destination for talented lawyers on the move.
Over 2,000 attorneys practice law in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, many of whom do so at its 100s of law firms, corporations and government offices. They earn an average base salary of $100,430 while also enjoying the opportunity to network with their peers through these professional and academic pursuits:
- The Florida Bar
- Broward County Bar Association
- Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law
- Various other local and state bar associations based on race, gender, ethnicity, practice specialties and personal interests
Requirements to Practice Law
To practice law in Florida, you must first earn a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school and then pass the Florida bar exam. The bar exam fee is $600, and once you’ve passed the bar exam there’s an additional $1000 filing fee to be admitted to the Florida Bar.
Lawyers who have already been actively practicing law in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least 10 years may also apply to take the Florida bar exam after proving they are in good standing in their current jurisdiction. Additionally, all lawyers who pass the Florida bar exam must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) within 25 months of taking the bar exam.
To continue practicing law in Florida, an attorney must earn 30 hours of MCLE credits every 3 years, including at least 5 hours in ethics, professionalism, substance abuse and mental illness awareness. Those credits must then be reported to the law examiner’s office. For more information, please visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why Fort Lauderdale?
In addition to its 63 golf courses, 300 miles of waterways, 12 shopping malls, sparkling beaches and numerous restaurants, Fort Lauderdale is a major South Florida economic hub for tourism and marine commerce. AutoNation is the only Fortune 500 company based in the area, but there are plenty of other corporate and non-corporate openings for talented lawyers who wish to relocate there.
Even with its breath-taking surroundings, Fort Lauderdale’s cost of living is only slightly higher than the national average due mainly to housing and transportation. On the other hand, its residents enjoy healthcare and utility costs that are lower than other comparable U.S. cities. Countless South Floridians take advantage of the Broward County Transit (BCT) system’s reliable bus and shuttle services, including light rail links to Miami and Palm Beach County.
The Legal District in Fort Lauderdale is located downtown between U.S. Highway 1 and I-95. Some of the city’s better neighborhoods include Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, Sunrise Intercoastal, Galt Mile and Riviera Isles. Popular area attractions, in addition to the beaches, golf courses and ocean-related activities, include Las Olas Boulevard, Port Everglades and the Riverwalk.
Fort Lauderdale’s climate is very mild, and residents enjoy roughly 246 sunny days per year coupled with slightly above-average amounts of rainfall. It never snows in that part of Florida, and July is usually the warmest month, with average daily highs near 90 degrees F. January is typically the coolest month of the year, with daily lows of around 60 degrees F.
Employers
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Candidates
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Frequently Asked Questions
The candidate pool in Fort Lauderdale is diverse and highly skilled, with many professionals having graduated from reputable law schools such as Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law and the University of Miami School of Law. The city attracts both seasoned attorneys and new graduates, offering a robust mix of experience and fresh perspectives. Additionally, Fort Lauderdale’s proximity to Miami expands the talent pool, allowing firms to draw from a larger metropolitan area.
There is strong demand for attorneys specializing in real estate law, maritime law, healthcare law, and corporate law. Additionally, positions in immigration law, intellectual property law, and environmental law are highly sought after due to the region’s economic activities and demographic makeup. The city’s growing tech sector also drives demand for legal expertise in technology and data privacy.
Key industries influencing the legal market in Fort Lauderdale include real estate, healthcare, maritime, and technology. The presence of major corporations like AutoNation, Citrix Systems, and Chewy, Inc. drives the need for corporate legal services, further shaping the market. The maritime industry, supported by Port Everglades, is a significant contributor, with legal services needed for shipping, marine insurance, and environmental compliance.
Current trends such as technological advancements, increased environmental regulations, and a growing focus on diversity and inclusion are shaping the legal field in Fort Lauderdale. Lawyers are increasingly required to have expertise in cybersecurity, data privacy, environmental compliance, and social justice issues. The city’s push towards sustainable development and green initiatives is also driving demand for environmental law specialists.
Remote work has become more prevalent in Fort Lauderdale’s legal market, with many firms adopting flexible work arrangements. This shift has influenced compensation structures, with competitive salaries and benefits being offered to attract and retain top talent. Additionally, remote work options have expanded the candidate pool, allowing firms to hire talent from a broader geographic area, including other parts of Florida and beyond.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to the Fort Lauderdale legal sector. The city’s multicultural population is reflected in its legal community, with various organizations and initiatives promoting representation and equality. Professional groups like the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association and the T.J. Reddick Bar Association support minority lawyers and advocate for inclusive practices within the profession. Law firms and legal departments are increasingly committed to diversity and inclusion initiatives, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in delivering comprehensive legal services. The city’s active participation in events such as the South Florida Diversity Council highlights its ongoing commitment to these values.