The Legal Recruiter Directory includes contact information for the best legal recruiters throughout Madison. Whether you’re a lawyer or paralegal moving across the country or grew up in Wisconsin, your first move towards a new law firm should be to reach out to the best legal recruiters in the area. Discover Madison legal recruiters and why the city is an idea place for lawyers to work and live in.
Verified Madison Area Legal Recruiters
MB Attorney Search offers over 25 years of experience recruiting talented attorneys for our client’s hiring needs. MB Attorney Search connects attorneys in Madison and Milwaukee with employers forging relationships that make a positive impact on businesses, careers, and most importantly, lives. Advantageous introductions are what we do best. Our reputation depends on it.
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Job Opportunities
For attorneys seeking a fresh career challenge in a location that combines a college town feel with big city practice opportunities, Madison, Wisconsin, is the place to be. Nestled neatly on an isthmus between two lakes, Madison’s 255,000+ residents make it the 2nd largest city in the state, and 82nd largest in the country. Named after U.S. President James Madison, the city is surrounded by fertile Dade County farmland that’s also rich in Native American heritage.
Madison’s smaller size can be deceptive, as the city serves as a global player in fields like technology and research, insurance, health system startups, venture capital and higher education. The over 300 lawyers practicing in Madison earn an average base salary of $105,981, and attorneys specializing in several practice areas are constantly needed to fill positions at its over 60 corporations and like number of law firms.
Legal career enrichment opportunities can be found through the 25,000-member State Bar of Wisconsin, the local, 1,400-member Dane County Bar Association (DCBA), or via the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Law School. Additional professional organizations for lawyers include the Wisconsin Association for Justice and Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association.
Requirements to Practice Law
There are 3 ways to become a lawyer in Wisconsin, which are Diploma Privilege, passing the bar exam, or Admission on Proof of Practice. The first two avenues are for new attorneys, and the processes for all 3 are as follows:
- Diploma Privilege. If you successfully graduate from a law school at Marquette University or the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it is possible to be admitted to the bar without having to take the bar exam at all.
- Bar Examination. If you graduate with a professional law degree from an ABA-accredited school in another U.S. jurisdiction, or a law school in another state whose graduates are eligible to take the bar exam in that state, you may be eligible to practice in Wisconsin once you pass the Wisconsin state bar exam.
- Admission on Proof of Practice. If you are already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction and have been actively practicing law in that state for 3 of the past 5 years, you may be eligible to file for Admission on Proof of Practice if all other requirements are met. It can take up to 6 months for approval once an application has been submitted.
The admission fee to the Wisconsin bar using any method is $100, and additional information can be found by visiting the Supreme Court of Wisconsin’s website. To continue practicing law in Wisconsin, a lawyer must complete 30 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) every two years. And, at least three of those CLE hours must be in ethics and professional legal responsibility.
Why Madison?
On most days, downtown Madison is a bustling hub of activity framed by its unique blend of historic architecture, trendy restaurants and multi-cultural events. Four Fortune 1000 companies call Madison home, including American Family Insurance, CUNA Mutual Group, Alliant Energy Corp and Sub-Zero. The area’s largest employer is the university, but other employment opportunities abound at Land’s End, American Girl, Epic Systems and the regional office for tech giant Google.
Madison is a clean and vibrant community with a cost-of-living that’s slightly higher than the national average due to healthcare, housing and transportation. Getting around town is easy thanks to the many bus routes operated by Metro Transit, while many commuters choose to take advantage of Madison’s ubiquitous network of bike and pedestrian-friendly trails. The best neighborhoods for working professionals and their families are Tenney-Lapham, Villas, Shorewood Hills, Campus and Willy Street.
The Central Business District in Madison overlaps with the legal district, both of which can be found near Highway 151 as it enters the isthmus dividing lakes Mendota and Mononay. In addition to its many diverse eateries, Madison has 4 public golf courses, numerous parks and public pools, lots of year-around outdoor activities and biking and hiking trails galore. Additional area attractions when the work week is over include University of Wisconsin sporting events, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Henry Vilas Zoo, Capital Square and the Chazen Museum of Art.
With respect to climate, Madison experiences 4 distinct seasons, including winters punctuated by snowfall. On average, the city sees 187 sunny days per year, and receives roughly the same amount of rainfall as does most of the country. July is the hottest month, with average highs of 82 degrees F, while January is the coldest month with average lows around 10 degrees F.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Madison’s candidate pool is diverse and highly skilled, bolstered by graduates from the University of Wisconsin Law School and professionals relocating to the city for its unique mix of career opportunities and quality of life. With a strong demand for specialized skills, particularly in healthcare law and intellectual property, competition is high for top roles at leading firms and companies like Epic Systems and American Family Insurance. Attorneys with expertise in tech-driven fields and regulatory law are especially sought after, making strategic preparation essential.
Legal positions in healthcare compliance, intellectual property, and environmental law are among the most in demand in Madison. The city’s robust biotech and technology industries also create opportunities in data privacy and corporate law. Additionally, government-related legal roles are prominent, given Madison’s status as the state capital, with agencies like the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources requiring legal expertise in regulatory matters.
Healthcare, biotechnology, technology, and government are the key industries shaping Madison’s legal market. Institutions like UW Health and Exact Sciences drive demand for healthcare attorneys, while Epic Systems and Promega fuel opportunities in technology and biotech law. As the state capital, Madison’s legal market also heavily intersects with public policy and administrative law, making it a hub for attorneys specializing in regulatory and government affairs.
Madison’s emphasis on sustainability and innovation is reshaping its legal field. Urban redevelopment projects and renewable energy initiatives have increased demand for real estate and environmental attorneys. Additionally, the rise of remote work and digital innovation is driving opportunities in data privacy and cybersecurity law. These trends, coupled with the city’s focus on biotech and life sciences, make Madison a dynamic environment for forward-thinking legal professionals.
Remote work has broadened Madison’s legal talent pool, allowing firms and corporations to attract attorneys from across the Midwest. Many firms now offer hybrid models, balancing flexibility with collaboration. Compensation for legal professionals in Madison remains competitive, particularly in high-demand specialties like intellectual property and healthcare law, reflecting the city’s growing economic prominence and relatively higher cost of living compared to the state average.
Diversity and inclusion are central to Madison’s legal community, with organizations like the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers (WAAL) and the State Bar of Wisconsin actively advocating for equity and representation. Many firms and corporations in Madison have implemented mentorship programs and inclusive hiring practices to support underrepresented groups. The city’s progressive culture fosters a welcoming environment, making it an appealing destination for legal professionals seeking both career growth and a sense of community.
A Closer Look at Madison
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