Baton Rouge serves as a thriving hub for legal professionals, offering opportunities across various industries, including energy, healthcare, government, and education. The city’s diverse economy supports a range of employers that rely on skilled legal counsel to navigate complex regulatory frameworks, manage corporate transactions, and address litigation needs. Major companies, universities, and public-sector organizations are among the top employers of lawyers in the region, creating a dynamic landscape for legal careers.
Whether you’re seeking a role with a prominent energy corporation, a leading healthcare provider, or a government agency, Baton Rouge provides a unique blend of professional growth and southern charm. For those looking to secure their ideal position, teaming up with a legal recruiter can significantly enhance your chances of landing a role with one of the city’s top employers.
Biggest Law Firms in Baton Rouge
- Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips L.L.P.: Founded in 1912, Taylor Porter is one of Baton Rouge’s oldest and most respected law firms. With a team of over 75 attorneys, the firm handles diverse practice areas, including business law, healthcare, energy, and environmental law. Taylor Porter is known for representing Fortune 500 companies and governmental entities in high-profile litigation and complex transactions.
- Kean Miller LLP: Kean Miller, established in 1983, is a full-service law firm with over 160 attorneys across offices in Louisiana and Texas. The firm provides extensive legal services in energy, environmental law, intellectual property, and corporate transactions. Notable for its inclusive culture, Kean Miller has earned recognition as a top workplace and has represented major energy companies in complex litigation.
- Phelps Dunbar LLP: With roots dating back to 1853, Phelps Dunbar is an AM Law 200 firm known for its regional strength and national presence. Its Baton Rouge office is a hub for business litigation, insurance defense, and employment law, serving industries like maritime, healthcare, and energy. The firm’s history includes landmark cases in the Gulf Coast region.
- Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P.: Established in 1928, Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson (BSW) is one of Baton Rouge’s oldest firms, with more than 70 attorneys providing comprehensive legal services. Known for its work in healthcare, business law, and litigation, BSW has represented clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. The firm is widely respected for its deep roots in the Louisiana legal community.
- McGlinchey Stafford PLLC: Founded in 1974, McGlinchey Stafford has grown into a national firm with a significant presence in Baton Rouge. The firm specializes in corporate defense, financial services, and regulatory compliance. McGlinchey Stafford is notable for its representation of large financial institutions and automotive manufacturers, offering cutting-edge solutions in highly regulated industries.
- Adams and Reese LLP: Adams and Reese is a regional powerhouse that has served clients since 1951. With more than 300 attorneys across the Southeast, the firm offers robust services in corporate law, energy, and intellectual property. Known for its civic involvement, Adams and Reese has played a role in high-profile environmental cases and large-scale economic development projects in Louisiana.
- Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC: An AM Law 100 firm, Baker Donelson has built a national reputation since its founding in 1888. Its Baton Rouge office focuses on healthcare, labor law, and commercial litigation, serving regional and national clients. The firm is known for its innovative approach to client service and has consistently ranked among the top law firms for diversity.
- Jones Walker LLP: Jones Walker is one of the largest law firms in the southeastern U.S., with a history dating back to 1937. Its Baton Rouge office is integral to the firm’s work in energy law, banking, and real estate. Known for representing major corporations, Jones Walker has been involved in some of the most notable energy sector transactions in the region.
- Long Law Firm, LLP: Established in 1988, Long Law Firm is a mid-sized Baton Rouge firm with a reputation for excellence in business law, litigation, and estate planning. The firm prides itself on personalized client service, representing small businesses and large corporations alike. Long Law Firm is particularly known for its work in complex contract negotiations and dispute resolution.
- Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice, LLP: Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice is a Baton Rouge-based firm with a niche focus on education law, representing school boards and educational institutions across Louisiana. Founded in 1980, the firm is highly regarded for its expertise in employment law, special education, and policy development. Its work has shaped key legal frameworks in Louisiana’s education system.
Baton Rouge
Legal Recruiter Spotlight: YSR Search LLC
YSR Search was established in 2014 by Michael Harold who has over 2 decades of experience practicing law in Louisiana. YSR Search specializes in the placement of lawyers in all practice areas, including firms and some in-house counsel positions.
Biggest Companies Employing Lawyers
Finding the right legal position with a top employer in Baton Rouge often requires strategic networking and expertise, which is why partnering with a legal recruiter can significantly boost your chances of placement. Baton Rouge’s economy is powered by industries like energy, healthcare, and manufacturing, making it home to numerous corporations and organizations that rely on skilled legal counsel. Below are some of the biggest companies employing lawyers in the region, along with highlights of their operations and legal needs.
- ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery: The ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery, established in 1909, stands as one of the largest petroleum refineries globally and has been a vital pillar of the city’s economy for over a century. Employing thousands of people, including in-house legal professionals, the refinery handles environmental compliance, intellectual property, and corporate litigation. Lawyers here often navigate complex regulatory issues in the energy sector.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana: Founded in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a leading healthcare insurer in the state. Its legal team focuses on healthcare regulations, corporate compliance, and contract management. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, the company is known for its commitment to community health initiatives and robust legal operations.
- Louisiana State University (LSU): LSU, established in 1853, is one of the region’s largest employers and a major client for legal professionals. Attorneys working with LSU handle diverse matters, including employment law, intellectual property, and higher education compliance. The university’s extensive research operations often involve legal oversight for grants and patents.
- Entergy Louisiana: Entergy Louisiana, a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation founded in 1913, provides electricity to over 1 million customers. The company employs legal professionals to manage regulatory compliance, environmental law, and litigation related to utility operations. Entergy is also involved in significant energy infrastructure projects, offering attorneys exposure to complex legal challenges.
- Woman’s Hospital: As a leading healthcare provider founded in 1968, Woman’s Hospital is one of the largest specialty hospitals for women and infants in the country. Its legal team addresses healthcare compliance, malpractice defense, and employment law. The hospital is also involved in groundbreaking research and partnerships, creating additional legal opportunities.
- Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers: A homegrown Baton Rouge success story, Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 and has grown into a global fast-food brand with over 600 locations. Its legal team focuses on franchise law, intellectual property, and employment regulations, making it a dynamic employer for corporate attorneys with an interest in the foodservice industry.
- Dow Louisiana Operations: Dow Louisiana Operations is one of the largest petrochemical facilities in the state, employing thousands of workers since its establishment in 1956. Legal professionals here focus on environmental law, corporate governance, and contracts. The company plays a key role in Baton Rouge’s industrial economy, often requiring sophisticated legal expertise.
- H&E Equipment Services: Headquartered in Baton Rouge since 1961, H&E Equipment Services is a national leader in heavy equipment sales and rentals. Its legal department manages commercial contracts, compliance, and employment law. With operations across the U.S., H&E offers attorneys opportunities to engage in complex business and legal transactions.
