Get to know the best Pittsburgh legal recruiters waiting to help legal industry veterans land an ideal position. Not only can a legal headhunter work proactively to speak with legal employers in the area about upcoming opportunities, but they can also help to streamline the entire interview and hiring process.
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Job Opportunities
As the 2nd most populous city in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh has a metropolitan area of over 2.3 million residents and serves as a major regional hub for education, technology, manufacturing and healthcare. Toss in a very reasonable cost of living and the “Steel City” becomes a must-see destination for talented lawyers who are seeking fresh career challenges.
Over 9,600 attorneys currently practice at Pittsburgh’s 1,000 law firms, 100s of corporations and numerous government agencies. Those lawyers earn an average base salary of $88,742 while pursuing career-enrichment opportunities through these professional organizations:
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Allegheny Bar Association
- 2 ABA-accredited law schools
- Other state and local bar associations
Requirements to Practice Law
Candidates who have earned a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school may sit for the Pennsylvania Bar Exam (PBE), along with any foreign law school graduate who meets specific requirements. In addition to passing the PBE, all applicants must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Pennsylvania does have Reciprocity agreements with most U.S. jurisdictions and will allow attorneys who have been practicing in those jurisdictions for 5 of the past 7 years to take the PBE and apply for the state Bar.
Once an attorney has been sworn in, to maintain their law license they must complete 12 hours of CLE each year, including one hour in professional ethics. For more information about practicing law in Pennsylvania visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh residents are known for their tough, blue collar work ethic. The city’s bustling downtown area is filled with ethnic restaurants, performing arts centers, museums and festivals. Seven Fortune 500 companies are based there, helping the city compete globally in economic sectors like manufacturing, technology, education, healthcare, banking and financial services. Pittsburgh’s cost of living runs lower than the national average thanks to healthcare and housing, although transportation and utility costs tend to be higher than comparable US cities.
Light rail and bus services for local commuters are provided by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, while for air travelers there’s Pittsburgh International Airport. The legal district is located downtown off I-579 near the Monongahela River. Some of the best neighborhoods in Pittsburgh include Squirrel Hill North, Point Breeze, Shadyside, Highland Park and Garfield.
In addition to its 3 professional sports teams, numerous public parks and 3 rivers, other major attractions around Pittsburgh include Mount Washington, the Duquesne Incline, Strip District, Andy Warhol Museum and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Pittsburgh’s 4-season climate produces an annual average of 160 sunny days, 38 inches of rain and 28 inches of snow. July is usually the warmest month, with daily highs near 84 degrees F., and January is typically the coolest month, with average lows of around 21 degrees F.
Employers
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Candidates
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pittsburgh’s legal candidate pool is diverse and competitive, reflecting the city’s strong academic and professional presence. Graduates from local institutions like the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University form a significant portion of the pool, while many attorneys relocate here for the city’s unique mix of career opportunities and quality of life. With a growing focus on specialized practice areas like healthcare and energy law, candidates with niche expertise are in particularly high demand. With only a limited number of roles available at top firms, competition remains relatively fierce for high-caliber positions.
Positions in healthcare law, energy and environmental law, and intellectual property are among the most in demand in Pittsburgh. The city’s healthcare giants, such as UPMC and Highmark Health, drive the need for compliance attorneys and legal advisors specializing in healthcare regulations. Similarly, the region’s robust energy sector requires lawyers proficient in environmental compliance and litigation. With the city’s growing tech industry, IP attorneys are also highly sought after to protect patents and trademarks for innovative startups and established companies.
Healthcare, energy, and technology are the dominant forces shaping Pittsburgh’s legal market. Healthcare giants like UPMC and Highmark require extensive legal teams to manage regulatory compliance and litigation. The natural gas sector, bolstered by the Marcellus and Utica Shale regions, fuels demand for energy and environmental law expertise. Meanwhile, the city’s burgeoning tech scene, supported by institutions like Carnegie Mellon University, is creating new opportunities in intellectual property and data privacy law. This unique industry mix makes Pittsburgh a vibrant and multifaceted legal market.
Pittsburgh is undergoing significant transformations that are reshaping its legal landscape. Urban revitalization projects are driving demand for real estate attorneys, while the rise of renewable energy has increased the need for lawyers with expertise in environmental compliance. Additionally, the city’s growing tech sector is fostering the emergence of technology and cybersecurity law. These trends signal exciting opportunities for attorneys who are ready to adapt to Pittsburgh’s evolving needs, with many professionals making strategic moves to the city to capitalize on its growth.
Remote work has had a profound impact on Pittsburgh’s legal market, with many firms adopting hybrid models to accommodate changing preferences. This flexibility has broadened the talent pool, allowing firms to attract top attorneys from outside the region. Compensation has remained competitive, particularly at major firms and corporate employers like PNC and Alcoa. Firms offering flexible arrangements often prioritize candidates with specialized skills, reflecting a limited availability of high-quality roles in a city that combines professional opportunity with lifestyle appeal.
Pittsburgh’s legal community is increasingly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. Initiatives from organizations like the Allegheny County Bar Association and firms such as Reed Smith and K&L Gates have brought attention to equitable hiring practices and inclusive workplace cultures. Professional groups like the Women’s Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania and the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Pittsburgh Chapter provide critical support for underrepresented attorneys. While progress continues, the city’s legal sector is making meaningful strides in creating a more inclusive environment, further enhancing its appeal to top legal talent.
