New York Legal Recruiters

The Legal Industry in New York

Spearheaded by New York City, the state of New York is the largest legal market by headcount in the U.S., with more than 185,000 active lawyers. Many of the world’s most prestigious law firms are based in New York while serving global clients that compete in sectors such as finance, consumer products, technology, and retail trade.  

In addition to New York City, the most-populous cities in the state are Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, and Albany. In terms of GDP, the state of New York has the third-largest economy in the U.S., led by industries that include banking, financial services, retail trade, healthcare, manufacturing, and educational services.  

This past year, the hottest practice specialties in New York State’s legal market included Transactional Law, Commercial Finance Law, Real Estate Law, and Litigation/White Collar Bankruptcy Law. Presently, attorneys with expertise in Privacy/Cybersecurity Law, Venture Capital Law, Energy Law, and Healthcare Law are increasingly in demand. 

Is It Difficult to Practice Law in New York?

Anyone with a Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school may sit for the New York Bar Exam. Other ways to qualify for eligibility to take the Bar Exam and join the New York Bar include: 

• Having earned 28 credit hours from an ABA-accredited law school combined with a clerkship or study for at least 4 years in a law office. 
• Graduating from a non-ABA-accredited U.S. law school with a J.D. and practicing for 5 out of the past 7 years in another U.S. jurisdiction.  
• Completing a foreign law study program equivalent to an ABA-accredited law school program in the U.S.  

In addition to passing the New York Bar Exam, all qualified applicants must pass the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). For more information about how to practice law in New York, please visit www.lawyeredu.org.  

Once admitted to the New York Bar, lawyers can take advantage of the many statewide professional organizations and employment opportunities. Like many areas of the country, New York’s legal market – notably its regional and midsized firms – saw strong demand and profit increases in 2021 – a promising trend that should continue over the next few years.  

Our vast network of legal recruiting firms throughout New York is ready to perform all the groundwork for communications and research to put you in touch with the right legal employment leads. Contact the Legal Recruiter Directory today to learn more.