Lawyers looking for career opportunities in the St. Louis area deserve expert representation. Legal headhunters assist respected law firms and corporate partners to locate and transition lawyers and legal professionals into new positions, often notified first regarding hiring needs. Discover St. Louis legal recruiters and why it’s is a great place for lawyers to work and live in below.
Verified St. Louis 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 St. Louis Area Legal Recruiting Firms:
Job Opportunities
Known for its Arch, breweries and riverboats, Saint Louis is the cultural and economic heart of a bi-state metropolitan area with 2.8 million people. Founded initially by French fur traders in the 1700s, Saint Louis is now a global trade center with five Fortune 500 companies headquartered there. With its charming blend of old and new, Midwestern location and affordable cost of living, Saint Louis is also a land of opportunity for talented attorneys on the move.
Over 10,000 lawyers currently practice in Saint Louis at its 1100 law firms, 100s of corporations and numerous government agencies. While earning an average base pay of $88,054 those attorneys find career-enrichment opportunities through these professional organizations:
- Missouri Bar
- St. Louis County Bar Association
- 2 ABA-accredited law schools
- Many other state and local bar associations
Requirements to Practice Law
Any ABA-accredited law school graduate 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). The Bar Exam fee is $910.
Lawyers from other US jurisdictions can also apply for the Missouri Bar using Admission on Motion if they meet certain criteria. Once the Bar Exam has been passed and other requirements met, an oath of admission will be administered. To keep a Missouri law license newly sworn in members must complete two hours of ethics courses within the first year. All Bar members must complete 15 hours of MCLE each year, including two hours in ethics, professionalism or malpractice prevention. For more information visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why Saint Louis?
Downtown Saint Louis is filled with eateries, unique architecture, performing arts venues and street festivals. The city competes globally in industries like service, manufacturing, trade, tourism, energy and transportation thanks to Fortune 500 companies including Centene, Ameren, Emerson Electric and Post Holdings. The area’s cost of living runs appreciably less than the national average due to its affordable housing and health care costs.
The legal district is located downtown north of I-64 and east of I-170. Some of Saint Louis’ better neighborhoods include Clayton, Webster Groves, Central West End, St. Peters and Ladue. Many Saint Louis-area commuters take advantage of bus and light rail services provided by Metro Transit and for air travelers there’s convenient Lambert International Airport.
In addition to its two professional sports teams, other major attractions in Saint Louis include the zoo, Missouri Botanical Garden, Grant’s Farm, Forest Park and the Saint Louis Arts Museum. The area’s 4-season climate produces an above average amount of rainfall each year, about 16 inches of snow and 202 days with sunshine. July is the hottest month, with average highs near 90 degrees F, and January is typically the coolest month, with lows of around 23 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. Louis’s legal candidate pool is a mix of experienced professionals and emerging talent from top law schools like Washington University and Saint Louis University. Many attorneys have transitioned to St. Louis for its unique combination of career opportunities and affordability. The market is competitive, with specialized skills in healthcare law, corporate transactions, and intellectual property highly sought after. With only a select number of top-tier roles available, standing out requires a strong resume and strategic networking.
The legal market in St. Louis is experiencing high demand for in-house counsel roles at major employers like Centene Corporation and Emerson Electric. Positions in healthcare law, intellectual property, and labor and employment law are particularly prominent due to the city’s thriving industries. Litigation roles, including those focused on commercial disputes and product liability, are also consistently in demand, reflecting the city’s dynamic corporate environment.
St. Louis’s legal market is shaped by industries like healthcare, biotechnology, manufacturing, and finance. Companies such as Bayer Crop Science, Ascension Health, and Edward Jones generate significant demand for legal professionals. The city’s role as a hub for innovation in agriculture and life sciences has elevated the importance of intellectual property law, while its strong corporate presence drives the need for expertise in corporate governance and compliance.
Trends such as sustainability initiatives and advancements in biotechnology are redefining the legal field in St. Louis. Environmental law is growing as companies prioritize compliance with sustainability goals, while intellectual property law remains crucial for protecting innovations in biotech and agriculture. Additionally, redevelopment projects like those in the Cortex Innovation District have spurred demand for real estate and zoning law expertise, creating new opportunities for attorneys.
Remote work has become more common in St. Louis, particularly in corporate legal departments and large firms. Hybrid models allow attorneys to balance flexibility with collaboration. Compensation has remained competitive, with many firms offering salaries comparable to larger metropolitan areas due to demand for top talent. The cost of living, 11% lower than the national average, further enhances the appeal of legal roles in St. Louis, allowing attorneys to maximize their earning potential.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to St. Louis’s legal community, supported by organizations like the Mound City Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association of St. Louis. These groups promote equity through mentorship programs, advocacy, and networking opportunities. Local firms and companies have implemented DEI initiatives, focusing on recruitment and retention of underrepresented attorneys. This commitment to inclusion fosters a collaborative environment that strengthens the St. Louis legal market as a whole.
