Are you a legal recruiter in the Kansas City, Missouri region, or a law firm or corporation looking for legal talent in the area? Our listings can help you find legal recruiters in Kansas City! Legal recruiters have location-specific knowledge and legal industry expertise. They can leverage their network of clients to help candidates move into best-fit positions within law firms or corporations.
Verified Kansas City, MO Area Legal Recruiters
Atticus Recruiting is a legal recruitment agency specializing in placing highly skilled and exceptionally well credentialed attorneys at top-tier law firms and coveted in-house positions across the Midwest.
Need Help Finding a Recruiter?
All Other Kansas City, MO Area Legal Recruiting Firms:
These legal staffing agencies are always on the lookout for legal talent and employers. Legal recruiters are working to find the best candidates for openings in Kansas City area law firms and corporations with legal departments.
Job Opportunities
Founded in the 1830s as a gateway to the western US, Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri with a two-state metropolitan area encompassing 2.5 million residents. Also known as the “City of Fountains” or simply “KC”, Kansas City is famous for its craft breweries, BBQ cuisine and performing arts. Given all it has to offer KC’s cost of living is quite reasonable, making it an attractive destination for prospecting attorneys in search of fresh career challenges.
There are 8400+ lawyers practicing in Kansas City at its 850 law firms, 100s of corporations and numerous government agencies. Those attorneys earn an average base pay of $94,028 and enjoy career-enrichment opportunities through these professional organizations:
- Missouri Bar
- Jackson County Bar Association
- 1 ABA-accredited law school
- Various other state and local bar associations
Requirements to Practice Law
ABA-accredited law school graduates may sit for the Missouri Bar Exam, along with applicants who have passed the Bar Exam in another US jurisdiction. Foreign law school graduates are also eligible if they meet certain requirements. In addition to passing the Bar Exam, applicants must also pass the Missouri Educational Component Test (MECT) and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Including a mandatory fitness and character report, the application fee is $910.
Any lawyer who’s licensed in another US jurisdiction can also apply for the Missouri Bar if they meet certain qualifications. After passing the Bar Exam and completing other requirements an oath of admission is then administered. To maintain a Missouri law license newly sworn in members must complete two hours of ethics courses in the first year. All Bar members must complete 15 hours of MCLE annually, including two hours in ethics, professionalism or malpractice prevention. To learn more visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why Kansas City?
Kansas City’s family friendly downtown area has undergone a recent resurgence and is filled with performing art and music venues, upscale shops, unique eateries and a young, hip vibe. Four Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in the area, including Cerner, H&R Block, Evergy and Kansas City Southern. KC’s strong economy is also fueled by sectors like railroading, beef production, manufacturing, international trade and the Federal Government.
The city’s cost of living is below the national average due to lower housing and transportation costs, although utility expenses run a little higher than comparable US cities. Commuter bus services are provided by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and for air travelers there’s Kansas City International Airport. The legal district is located downtown between I-35 and I-70 near the old Power and Light District.
KC’s best neighborhoods include Armour Hills, Arnour Fields, Ward Parkway, Morningside and Wornall Homestead. Residents proudly support two professional sports teams while also frequenting other major attractions like Union Station, Kansas City Zoo, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Country Club Plaza. The climate here produces 42 inches of rain, 215 sunny days and 15 inches of snow each year. July is typically the warmest month, with daily highs near 90 degrees F, while January is usually the coolest month, with average lows of around 20 degrees.
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
The candidate pool in Kansas City is varied and highly skilled, showcasing the city’s growing economy and its appeal to professionals from various industries. Kansas City has several law schools, including the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, which produces a steady stream of well-qualified graduates. Additionally, the city’s relatively low cost of living and high quality of life attract experienced attorneys from other regions.
Kansas City’s legal market also benefits from a strong network of local and regional firms, providing ample opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. The candidate pool is well-equipped to meet the demands of the city’s key industries, such as healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, which require specialized legal expertise.
Several legal positions are in high demand in Kansas City, driven by the city’s diverse and expanding economy. Healthcare law positions are particularly sought after due to the prominence of the healthcare sector, which includes major employers like Cerner Corporation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Corporate and business law positions are also in demand, with Kansas City serving as a hub for industries such as finance, technology, and manufacturing.
The city’s emphasis on sustainability and environmental protection has led to an increased need for legal professionals specializing in environmental law. Additionally, labor and employment law is a growing field, as businesses of all sizes navigate evolving employment regulations and workplace issues. These positions highlight the dynamic nature of Kansas City’s legal market and the specialized skills required to succeed.
Several key industries are shaping the legal market in Kansas City, with healthcare, technology, and environmental sustainability leading the way. The healthcare industry is a major driver, with Kansas City emerging as a national center for healthcare innovation and life sciences, home to over 300 life sciences companies. This creates significant demand for legal expertise in healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property.
The technology sector, supported by a growing startup ecosystem and major companies like Garmin International, also influences the legal market, particularly in areas such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and corporate law. Additionally, Kansas City’s commitment to sustainability, as outlined in the Kansas City Metro Climate Action Plan, is shaping the demand for legal services in environmental law, as the city works towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These industries collectively contribute to a dynamic and expanding legal landscape in Kansas City.
Current trends in Kansas City, including the city’s emphasis on sustainability, healthcare innovation, and technological growth, are significantly reshaping the legal field. The Kansas City Metro Climate Action Plan’s push toward achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is driving demand for legal expertise in environmental law, particularly in regulatory compliance, land use, and renewable energy projects.
Additionally, Kansas City’s emergence as a life sciences hub, with over 300 companies involved in healthcare and life sciences research, is increasing the need for lawyers specializing in healthcare law, intellectual property, and corporate governance. The growth of the tech sector, supported by local startups and major companies like Garmin, is also influencing the legal market, creating a need for expertise in data privacy, cybersecurity, and intellectual property law. These trends are expanding the scope of legal practice in Kansas City, requiring attorneys to adapt to new areas of law and stay informed on evolving regulations.
The shift to remote work has brought significant changes to the legal field in Kansas City, much like in other parts of the country. Many law firms have adopted hybrid work models, allowing attorneys to work both remotely and in-office, providing greater flexibility and work-life balance. This shift has also made Kansas City a more attractive destination for legal professionals, as the city’s lower cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas allows attorneys to maintain a higher standard of living while taking advantage of remote work opportunities.
As a result, compensation in Kansas City has become more competitive, with firms offering salaries that align more closely with national averages to attract and retain top talent. Additionally, firms are enhancing benefits and offering flexible work arrangements to meet the changing demands of the workforce, reflecting broader trends in the legal industry.
Diversity and inclusion in Kansas City’s legal sector are steadily improving, reflecting a broader commitment within the city to create a more inclusive professional environment. Law firms and legal organizations in Kansas City are increasingly focusing on diversity initiatives, including targeted recruitment efforts, mentorship programs, and partnerships with local organizations like the Jackson County Bar Association and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA). These efforts aim to support underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ professionals, within the legal community.
While challenges remain, particularly in achieving diversity in leadership positions, Kansas City’s legal sector is making progress through continuous efforts to promote inclusivity and representation. The city’s growing diversity not only enriches the legal profession but also enhances the quality of legal services by bringing varied perspectives and experiences to the forefront.
