New Orleans is a thriving city with a variety of legal recruiters and staffing firms working to build connections between legal professionals, law firms, and other legal employers. The Legal Recruiter Directory is your top directory for finding the right legal recruiting firm for your needs and the contact information you need to reach those firms.
Verified New Orleans Area Legal Recruiters
YSR Search was established in 2014 by Michael Harold who has over 2 decades of experience practicing law in New Orleans. YSR Search specializes in the placement of lawyers in all practice areas, including firms and some in-house counsel positions.
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Job Opportunities
Affectionately called the “Big Easy”, New Orleans is the most populous city-parish in Louisiana with a metropolitan area of over 1.2 million residents. Legendary for its annual celebrations, Creole cuisine and music, New Orleans is a major US shipping port and transportation hub on the Mississippi River. As a cross-cultural, multi-lingual community with a low cost of living New Orleans is an intriguing location for prospecting attorneys seeking fresh career challenges.
Many of the city’s 8,700+ lawyers currently practice at one of its 1,000 law firms, 100s of corporations and numerous government agencies. New Orleans attorneys earn an average base salary of $95,940 and enjoy career-enrichment opportunities through these professional organizations:
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association
- 2 ABA-accredited law schools
- Various other state and local bar associations
Requirements to Practice Law
Unlike all other US jurisdictions Louisiana’s legal system is based on civil law and not common law. To sit for the Bar Exam, you must hold a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school or be a foreign law school graduate who meets certain requirements. The Bar Exam fee is $750, and all applicants must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Louisiana does not have reciprocity agreements with any other US jurisdiction.
Once you pass the Bar Exam and meet all other requirements a Bar admission swearing in ceremony is then held. To maintain a law license in Louisiana you must complete 12.5 CLE hours during your first 12 months, including at least eight hours in legal ethics, law office management or professionalism. During each subsequent year 12.5 CLE hours are required. To learn more about becoming a lawyer in New Orleans visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why New Orleans?
Downtown New Orleans has a culturally diverse feel that is punctuated by celebrations, festivals, amazing restaurants and entertainment venues. Led by Fortune 500 giant Entergy, the local economy is driven by industries like energy, shipping, petrochemicals, digital media, healthcare, and arts and entertainment. The area’s cost of living runs below the national average thanks to affordable housing and healthcare, although transportation costs are higher than comparable US cities.
Bus, ferry, and streetcar services for commuters are provided by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) while air travelers take advantage of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The city’s legal district is located downtown off I-10 near the Mississippi River. Some of the best neighborhoods in New Orleans include Lake Shore-Lake Vista, Garden District, Uptown, Audubon and Marlyville-Fontainebleau.
In addition to its art, music, restaurants and two professional sports franchises, major attractions in New Orleans include the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Garden District, National WW2 Museum, Audubon Zoo, Jackson Square and New Orleans City Park. New Orleans’ warm sea climate produces an average of 216 sunny days, 38 inches or rain and no snow every year. July is usually the warmest month, with average daily highs near 92 degrees F., and January is typically the coldest months, with lows of around 45 degrees F.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The candidate pool in New Orleans is diverse and highly skilled, with graduates from top law schools such as Tulane University Law School and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. The city attracts legal professionals with expertise in maritime law, energy law, and healthcare law, reflecting the region’s economic strengths. Additionally, the unique cultural and historical context of New Orleans draws lawyers interested in fields like environmental law and historic preservation, contributing to a well-rounded and adaptable legal workforce.
There is strong demand for attorneys specializing in maritime and admiralty law, energy law, healthcare law, and environmental law. New Orleans’ strategic location along the Mississippi River and its bustling port operations make maritime law especially critical. Additionally, positions in commercial litigation, real estate law, and intellectual property law are highly sought after due to the city’s dynamic economic activities and growing sectors like technology and tourism. The increasing focus on sustainability and green energy also drives demand for environmental and regulatory compliance lawyers.
Key industries influencing the legal market in New Orleans include maritime and shipping, oil and gas, healthcare, real estate, and tourism. The city’s strategic location as a major port and its role as a cultural and economic hub drive the demand for specialized legal services in these sectors. The energy sector, bolstered by significant offshore drilling activities, requires extensive legal support for regulatory compliance and environmental issues. The healthcare industry, led by major institutions like Ochsner Health System, drives demand for healthcare law expertise. Additionally, the robust real estate market, characterized by both historic preservation and new developments, necessitates comprehensive legal services.
Current trends such as technological advancements, increased environmental regulations, and a growing focus on renewable energy are shaping the legal field in New Orleans. Lawyers are increasingly required to have expertise in cybersecurity, environmental compliance, and sustainable energy solutions. The city’s emphasis on green infrastructure and coastal restoration projects has heightened the need for legal professionals skilled in environmental law and public policy. Furthermore, the rise of telehealth services and digital health records in the healthcare sector is driving demand for legal expertise in data privacy and health information security.
Remote work has become more prevalent in the New Orleans legal market, with many firms offering flexible work arrangements. This shift has influenced compensation structures, with competitive salaries and benefits being offered to attract and retain top talent in a more flexible working environment. Legal professionals in New Orleans now often enjoy the option to work from home or adopt hybrid models, which has broadened the talent pool by making it easier for lawyers from outside the region to join local firms. Also, remote work has led to emphasis on digital communication skills and proficiency with legal technology platforms.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to the New Orleans legal sector. The city’s multicultural population is reflected in its legal community, with various organizations and initiatives promoting inclusivity. Professional groups like the Louisiana Association of Black Women Attorneys and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Louisiana play significant roles in supporting minority lawyers and fostering a diverse legal environment. These organizations offer mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and advocacy for equitable practices within the legal profession. Additionally, many law firms in New Orleans have adopted diversity and inclusion policies, actively working to create a more representative and inclusive workforce. This commitment to diversity enhances the legal community’s ability to address the varied needs of its clients and the broader public.
