Get to know the top legal recruiters serving St. Petersburg. With the Legal Recruiter Directory, you can browse a full list of boutique firms and established legal headhunters operating in and around the St. Petersburg area.
Garcia Legal Search, LLC
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 Tampa area.
All Other St. Petersburg Area Legal Recruiting Firms:
Job Opportunities
St. Petersburg offers a range of legal job opportunities, with positions available in various practice areas. While the city itself has a thriving legal community, many legal professionals also explore opportunities in the nearby Tampa area, which serves as a larger hub for law firms and corporate legal departments.
The average annual salary for lawyers in St. Petersburg is approximately $94,663. Entry-level positions may start at lower figures, while experienced attorneys, particularly those in specialized fields, can command higher salaries.
Legal professionals in St. Petersburg can benefit from active participation in local bar associations, which offer networking events, continuing legal education (CLE) programs, and community involvement opportunities.
Requirements to Practice Law
To practice law in St. Petersburg—or anywhere in Florida—attorneys must meet the statewide requirements set by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners:
- Earn a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
- Pass the Florida Bar Exam (standard application fee: $600)
- Pass the MPRE within 25 months of passing the bar exam
- Complete a Character & Fitness review, including fingerprinting
- Pay a $1,000 admission fee upon acceptance
- Be formally sworn in to The Florida Bar
For the most current information, refer to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and The Florida Bar.
Why St. Petersburg?
With its iconic beaches, resort-like atmosphere and beautiful climate, St. Petersburg is a great place to live, work and play. In addition to tourism, key economic sectors include financial services, medical technologies, information technologies, marine sciences and manufacturing. Several Fortune 500 companies are based in St. Petersburg, including Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Foot Locker. With all the area has to offer its cost of living runs 5% lower than the national average thanks to housing and utilities, although grocery expenses are higher than comparable US cities.
Area commuters take advantage of public bus and trolley services provided by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), and for air travelers there’s St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport. The city’s legal district is located downtown west of Tampa Bay just south of I-375. Some of the best neighborhoods in St. Petersburg are North Shore, Old Southeast, Crescent Heights, Euclid-St. Paul and Historic Kenwood.
In addition to its sandy beaches, water activities and golf courses, other major attractions around St. Pete include The Dali Museum, Sunken Gardens, Imagine Museum, Duncan McClellan Gallery and Sawgrass Lake Park. The area’s humid, subtropical climate produces 248 sunny days, 51 inches of rain and no snow during an average year. July is typically the warmest month, with average highs near 90 degrees F., and January the coolest month, with daily lows of around 53 degrees F.
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
St. Petersburg boasts a robust and diverse legal community, supported by reputable law firms and a steady influx of legal professionals. The city’s legal market offers opportunities across various practice areas, contributing to a strong candidate pool for employers seeking legal talent.
Yes, there is a consistent demand for legal professionals in St. Petersburg. The city’s economic growth and the presence of various industries have led to a steady need for legal services. Job postings for positions such as legal assistants, paralegals, and attorneys are regularly available, reflecting this ongoing demand.
The future of St. Petersburg’s legal market appears promising, with expectations of continued growth aligned with the city’s expanding economy. As the legal profession experiences wage increases nationwide, St. Petersburg’s legal market is likely to remain competitive and dynamic.
Neighboring Tampa offers a more expansive legal market with a diverse range of opportunities across various practice areas. Tampa has experienced steady growth in its legal sector, driven by economic expansion and business developments, providing legal professionals with access to a broader spectrum of cases and clients.
Employers in St. Petersburg seeking top legal talent might consider expanding their search to include the broader Tampa Bay area. This region hosts a large and diverse pool of legal professionals with expertise in various fields. Additionally, engaging with professional organizations and local law schools can facilitate connections with attorneys interested in opportunities in St. Petersburg.
