Cleveland stands out as a major hub for legal professionals, offering opportunities across a range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and technology. Home to several Fortune 500 companies and a robust network of law firms, Cleveland’s legal market is varied and dynamic. Notable employers range from national firms with deep local roots to in-house legal teams within globally recognized corporations.
With its combination of economic vitality and legal innovation, Cleveland attracts attorneys seeking challenging roles and career growth. Securing a position with one of the city’s top legal employers often requires specialized expertise and strategic networking, making Cleveland a competitive yet rewarding destination for legal professionals.
Biggest Law Firms in Cleveland
- Squire Patton Boggs: Established in 1890, Squire Patton Boggs has evolved into a global legal powerhouse with over 1,500 attorneys across 47 offices in 20 countries. The firm’s extensive reach and multidisciplinary approach enable it to provide comprehensive legal services to clients worldwide. Notably, Squire Patton Boggs maintains one of the largest lobbying practices in Washington, D.C., a strength bolstered by its 2014 merger with Patton Boggs, which was the largest U.S. lobbying firm by revenue between 2003 and 2013.
- BakerHostetler: Founded in 1916 by Newton D. Baker, former U.S. Secretary of War and Mayor of Cleveland, BakerHostetler has grown into a prominent national law firm with nearly 1,000 attorneys across 17 offices. The firm offers a wide range of services, including business, digital assets and data management, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, and tax. BakerHostetler is notably serving as counsel in the liquidation of Bernard Madoff’s firm, having recovered over $14 billion for victims of the Ponzi scheme.
- Jones Day: Established in 1893, Jones Day has grown into one of the largest law firms globally, with over 2,300 attorneys across 40 offices. The firm has represented more than half of the Fortune 500 companies, including high-profile clients like Goldman Sachs, General Motors, and McDonald’s. Jones Day has also been involved in significant political cases, representing the campaign of former President Donald Trump. The firm is recognized for its influential presence in both the legal and political arenas.
- Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP: Founded in 1938, Benesch is an Am Law 200 business law firm with offices in Cleveland, Chicago, Columbus, San Francisco, Wilmington, Hackensack, and Shanghai. The firm provides sophisticated legal services to national and international clients, including public and private middle-market and emerging companies, as well as private equity funds and entrepreneurs. Benesch is known for its commitment to honesty, trust, integrity, and ethical behavior in all its actions.
- Thompson Hine LLP: Established in 1911, Thompson Hine has grown into a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in eight offices, including Cleveland. The firm is recognized for its innovative approach to client service, exemplified by its SmartPaTH® program, which combines legal project management, process efficiency, and value-based pricing. Thompson Hine has been ranked among the top firms for client service and is noted for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP: Founded in 1903, Calfee is a full-service law firm with more than 160 attorneys across offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, and D.C. The firm serves a diverse range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to government agencies. Calfee is recognized for its strengths in intellectual property, corporate and finance, and government relations. The firm has been ranked among the top firms in Ohio for general commercial litigation.
- Ulmer & Berne LLP: Established in 1908, Ulmer & Berne is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Boca Raton. The firm offers comprehensive legal services across various practice areas, including business law, litigation, health care, and intellectual property. Ulmer & Berne is known for its commitment to client service and has been recognized for its efforts in promoting diversity within the legal profession.
- Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP: Originally founded in 1920, Hahn Loeser & Parks is a law firm with locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Fort Myers, Naples, San Diego, and Chicago. The firm provides a wide range of legal services, including litigation, corporate transactions, labor and employment, and estate planning. Hahn Loeser is noted for its client-focused approach and has been recognized for its pro bono work and community involvement.
- Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP: Tracing its roots back to 1846, Porter Wright is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. The firm offers legal services across various industries, including corporate law, litigation, labor and employment, and intellectual property. Porter Wright is known for its commitment to client service and has been recognized for its efforts in fostering diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.
- Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP: Founded in 1885, Taft has grown into an Am Law 100 firm with more than 600 attorneys across offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Chicago, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C. The firm provides a wide range of legal services, including business and finance, litigation, labor and employment, and intellectual property. Taft is recognized for its innovative approach to client service and has been commended for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Cleveland
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Biggest Companies Employing Lawyers
Cleveland’s diverse economy is home to a range of prominent companies requiring legal expertise, from Fortune 500 corporations to innovative startups. Many of these organizations seek attorneys with specialized skills in corporate law, intellectual property, healthcare, and compliance.
Due to the competitive nature of securing a position in these high-profile legal departments, working with a legal recruiter can significantly improve your chances by providing insider knowledge and strategic guidance. Below are some of the biggest companies in Cleveland employing lawyers, along with their unique contributions to the legal landscape.
- Progressive Corporation: Founded in 1937 and headquartered in Mayfield Village, just outside Cleveland, Progressive Corporation is a national leader in auto and home insurance with over 55,000 employees. Its legal department handles a wide range of matters, including insurance regulation, litigation, compliance, and employment law. Known for pioneering usage-based insurance, Progressive’s innovation requires its legal team to navigate complex and evolving regulatory landscapes, making it an exciting employer for attorneys with expertise in insurance and compliance law.
- Sherwin-Williams: Established in 1866, Sherwin-Williams is a global leader in paints and coatings, headquartered in the heart of downtown Cleveland. With over 61,000 employees worldwide, the company’s legal team is involved in high-stakes areas such as intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory compliance. One of its most notable legal undertakings was the $11.3 billion acquisition of Valspar in 2017, which required significant legal expertise to manage antitrust reviews and integration planning.
- Cleveland Clinic: The Cleveland Clinic, founded in 1921, is one of the world’s leading medical institutions and employs over 77,000 people globally. Its legal team plays a critical role in healthcare compliance, medical malpractice defense, and intellectual property related to groundbreaking research. As a consistent top-ranking hospital in the U.S., Cleveland Clinic offers attorneys the unique opportunity to support cutting-edge healthcare innovation while navigating complex regulatory challenges.
- KeyBank: KeyBank, headquartered in Cleveland since its founding in 1849, employs over 17,000 people and is a significant player in the financial sector. Its legal department handles high-level banking regulation, securities law, mergers, and litigation. With its involvement in renewable energy financing and innovative financial products, KeyBank provides attorneys with opportunities to work on impactful projects that shape the future of banking and sustainability.
- Parker Hannifin: Since 1917, Parker Hannifin has been a global leader in motion and control technologies, with its headquarters and legal team based in Cleveland. Employing over 50,000 people worldwide, the company requires its legal counsel to manage international trade compliance, environmental regulations, and intellectual property issues. Known for its cutting-edge patents and global operations, Parker Hannifin offers attorneys the chance to work at the forefront of industrial innovation.
- Eaton Corporation: Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Beachwood, a suburb of Cleveland, Eaton Corporation is a powerhouse in electrical and industrial technology, employing over 85,000 people globally. Its legal team addresses corporate governance, environmental compliance, and litigation challenges in diverse markets. With its recent shift to sustainable energy solutions, Eaton provides attorneys with the opportunity to tackle complex regulatory matters and support growth in emerging industries.
- FirstEnergy Corp.: Headquartered in Akron, near Cleveland, FirstEnergy Corp. is a key player in the utility and energy sector, with over 12,000 employees. Founded in 1997, its legal department focuses on energy regulation, environmental law, and utility-related litigation. FirstEnergy has been at the center of legal challenges surrounding Ohio’s energy policies and subsidies, providing its attorneys with opportunities to influence significant regulatory and legislative outcomes.
- American Greetings: As one of the largest greeting card companies in the world, American Greetings has been headquartered in Westlake, a Cleveland suburb, since its founding in 1906. With over 10,000 employees, the company’s legal team supports intellectual property protection, licensing, and international trade operations. Managing a vast portfolio of copyrights and trademarks, attorneys at American Greetings play a critical role in preserving its global brand and market leadership.
- Lincoln Electric: Headquartered in Cleveland since 1895, Lincoln Electric is a global leader in welding technology, employing over 10,000 people worldwide. The company’s legal team focuses on corporate governance, product liability, and intellectual property management. With numerous patents in advanced welding technology and a strong international presence, Lincoln Electric offers attorneys an engaging environment to support innovation and navigate global trade challenges.
- Rockwell Automation: Founded in 1903 and headquartered in Mayfield Heights, a Cleveland suburb, Rockwell Automation is a leader in industrial automation technology with over 25,000 employees globally. Its legal department handles product liability, intellectual property, and compliance issues, particularly as the company pioneers advancements in the industrial internet of things (IIoT). Attorneys at Rockwell Automation are at the forefront of navigating the legal complexities of cutting-edge technology and emerging global markets.
