Legal recruiters help connect lawyers to Jacksonville law firms or corporations needing in-house counsel. These legal recruiters have an established network of law practices and legal departments within the corporations with whom they regularly work. The Legal Recruiter Directory is your resource for finding the right recruiter to help you find your next hire or position!
Verified Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville area.
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Job Opportunities
Originally a 16th Century French colony, Jacksonville, Florida, is now the most populous city in the Southeastern U.S., with a metropolitan area that includes over 1.5 million residents. If you’re a talented attorney who’s interested in rejuvenating your law career, the young, hip vibe found in Jacksonville, or “Jax”, might just be what you need.
Over 4,500 attorneys currently practice in the Jacksonville area at one its 900+ law firms, 100s of corporations and numerous government agencies. Lawyers in Jacksonville earn an average base salary of $97,147 while enjoying career development opportunities through these legal organizations:
- The Florida Bar
- Jacksonville Bar Association
- Jacksonville Beaches Bar Association
- Florida Coastal School of Law
- Many other state and local bar associations based on gender, race, ethnicity, practice specialties and personal interests
Requirements to Practice Law
To obtain a law license in Florida, you must first earn a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school and then pass the Florida bar exam. The fee for taking the bar exam is $600, and once you’ve passed the bar exam there is a $1000 fee for applying to the Florida Bar.
Lawyers that already have a law license and who have been actively practicing law in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least 10 years may also sit for the Florida bar exam after proving they are in good standing within their current jurisdiction. In addition, all lawyers who pass the Florida bar exam must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) within 25 months of sitting for the bar exam.
To maintain a law license in Florida, an attorney must earn 30 hours of MCLE credits every 3 years, including a combined total of at least 5 hours in ethics, professionalism, substance abuse and mental illness awareness. All lawyers are also required to report those MCLE credits to the state law examiner’s office. For more information, please visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is famous for its bustling nightlife, fine cuisine and street art. The city’s busy deep-water port also supports both military and civilian operations. In addition to shipping, major industries include logistics, banking, insurance and healthcare. There are 3 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Jacksonville: CSX Corp., Fidelity National Information Services Inc., and Fidelity National Financial Inc. Other well-known employers include Southeastern Groceries (Winn-Dixie) and Florida Blue.
Jacksonville’s cost of living is appreciably lower than the national average thanks to housing and healthcare, but residents pay slightly more for utilities and transportation. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) reliably transports commuters via bus, ferry rides across the St. John’s River, or by electric train through its Skyway rail system. Jacksonville International Airport provides convenient air transportation services for area residents.
The city’s Legal District sits in the heart of downtown just off I-95 near the St. John’s River. Some of the best neighborhoods in Jacksonville include St. John’s Bluff, Isle of Palms, Ortega Forest, Beach Haven, Secret Cove and Julington Creek. In addition to its beautiful beaches, world-class fishing and well-maintained park system, popular attractions in Jacksonville are the Zoo & Gardens, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, St. John’s Town Center, Caddy Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
With respect to climate, this part of Florida experiences both more days with rain and with sunshine than do other parts of the country, and it never snows. The warmest average month is July, with daily highs near 90 degrees F, and January is typically the coldest average month, with daily lows of around 44 degrees F.
Employers
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Candidates
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Frequently Asked Questions
The presence of Florida Coastal School of Law and nearby universities ensures a steady influx of new talent. Many candidates possess experience in industries prevalent in Jacksonville, such as transportation, healthcare, and finance, providing a rich resource for employers seeking specialized legal expertise.
In Jacksonville, there is high demand for corporate attorneys, particularly those with experience in mergers and acquisitions and regulatory compliance, due to the presence of large corporations like CSX and FIS. Also, there is significant demand for real estate lawyers to manage the city’s growing development projects and healthcare lawyers to support the robust medical sector. Employment law specialists and maritime law attorneys are also sought after.
The legal market in Jacksonville is significantly influenced by several key industries. The transportation and logistics sector, anchored by CSX Corporation, requires extensive legal support. The healthcare industry, with major employers like Mayo Clinic and Baptist Health, drives demand for healthcare law. Financial services, represented by companies like FIS and Fidelity National Financial, also shape the legal landscape, necessitating expertise in corporate and compliance law.
Current trends in Jacksonville, such as the growth of the tech and startup ecosystem, are increasing the demand for intellectual property lawyers. Additionally, the city’s ongoing real estate development boom is elevating the need for real estate and environmental law professionals. Notable neighborhoods experiencing significant growth include Brooklyn and Riverside, which are seeing substantial commercial and residential developments. The emphasis on sustainability and green initiatives, such as the Riverwalk project aimed at revitalizing the downtown waterfront, is also creating opportunities for lawyers specializing in environmental regulations and compliance. These trends underscore the dynamic nature of Jacksonville’s legal market and the diverse legal expertise required to support its growth.
Remote work has significantly reshaped Jacksonville’s legal sector, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city’s legal community, comprising over 400 law firms and thousands of lawyers, has seen a notable shift towards flexible work arrangements, with many firms adopting remote or hybrid models. This transition has prompted adjustments in compensation structures, with some firms offering competitive benefits and remote work stipends to attract and retain talent. Additionally, firms are investing in technology and infrastructure to support remote work, ensuring that attorneys can maintain productivity and client service standards from any location. This evolution reflects the broader trends in the legal industry, emphasizing flexibility, work-life balance, and innovative compensation packages.
Diversity and inclusion are key priorities in Jacksonville’s legal sector. Law firms and corporate legal departments actively promote initiatives to increase representation of women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. Organizations like the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and the Hispanic Bar Association provide support and networking opportunities, fostering a more inclusive legal community. Efforts to enhance diversity in hiring practices and create supportive workplace environments are ongoing.
