The Legal Recruiter Directory includes contact information for the best legal recruiters across Wisconsin, including cities like Madison and Milwaukee. Whether you’re a lawyer or paralegal moving across the country or grew up in Wisconsin, your first step towards a new law firm should be to get in touch with best legal recruiters in the area.
Verified Milwaukee 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
If you’re a lawyer interested in relocating to an upper Midwest city with outdoor activities galore, cultural diversity and a low cost-of-living, consider Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s metro area boasts over 2 million residents, which makes it the 31st largest in the country.
Once the beer capital of the U.S., Milwaukee is now a key global economic player in technology, insurance, retail and energy. The area’s roughly 4,000 attorneys earn an average base salary of $102,291 while practicing at the city’s over 150 law firms and 100s of corporations, including 9 Fortune 500 companies.
Lawyers in the greater Milwaukee area enjoy career development and networking opportunities through these professional organizations:
- State Bar of Wisconsin (25,000 members)
- Milwaukee Bar Association (2,000 members)
- Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
- Marquette University Law School
Requirements to Practice Law
Obtaining a law license in Wisconsin as a new attorney can be done through Diploma Privilege or by passing the state bar exam, while practicing lawyers from another U.S. jurisdiction can file an Admission on Proof of Practice. Here’s the process for all 3:
- Admission on Proof of Practice. Attorneys already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction who have been actively practicing law there for 3 out of the last 5 years can file for acceptance to the Wisconsin bar if all other requirements are met. Approval after filing for an Admission on Proof of Practice can take up to 6 months.
- Bar Exam. Graduates who obtain a professional law degree from an ABA-accredited university in another U.S. jurisdiction, or a law school whose graduates are eligible to take the bar exam in that state, are eligible to practice in Wisconsin once they pass the Wisconsin state bar examination.
- Diploma Privilege. Recent graduates from the law schools at the University of Wisconsin-Madison or Marquette University may be admitted to the Wisconsin state bar without having to take the bar exam first if they meet all other requirements.
Using any of these bar-acceptance methods requires an admission fee of $100. Additional information about being admitted to the Wisconsin bar can be found on the Supreme Court of Wisconsin’s website at: www.wicourts.gov. To continue practicing in Wisconsin, an attorney must complete 30 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) every 2 years, including at least 3 CLE hours in professional legal responsibility and ethics.
Why Milwaukee?
With its proud Native American heritage, Milwaukee features numerous restaurants, cultural events, high-rise office buildings and sightseeing attractions. Eleven universities and several major employers are based there, including WEC Energy Group, Harley-Davidson, American Family Insurance, Rockwell Automation, Kohl’s and the Manpower Group. Thanks to affordable housing, transportation and food, Milwaukee’s cost-of-living ranks below the national average.
Commuting to Milwaukee’s bustling lakefront business district is made possible through the numerous bus routes operated by the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), including convenient park-and-ride services for those living in the suburbs. On most weekdays, many of the city’s attorneys can be found at the law offices or courthouses within the legal district located two miles west of Lake Michigan near Interstates 94 and 43.
When it’s time to relax, Milwaukee’s summers are filled with golf, water sports, or just relaxing on one of Lake Michigan’s sandy beaches. The winters provide the perfect setting for activities like ice fishing, snowmobiling or skiing- all within minutes of the city limits. Other major attractions in Milwaukee include its many parks, biking and hiking trails, and the Lakefront Brewery, Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Historic Third World, Milwaukee County Zoo, Harbor District and Milwaukee Public Market.
Sports fans can choose from four professional franchises, including the Brewers (MLB) and Bucks (NBA), and a plethora of collegiate teams. Some of the better neighborhoods for working professionals in the Milwaukee metro area are Oak Creek, Kenosha, Haymarket, River Bend, Brookfield, College Heights, Fernwood and Wedgewood.
With respect to Milwaukee’s climate, late-June to mid-September is the most comfortable time of year. Summers are generally warm, while winters can get a bit cold and windy. During the summertime, the average daily high temperature is 71 degrees Fahrenheit (F), while from December 1st through Mid-March the average daily highs are only around 40 degrees F. Precipitation falls throughout the year, and snow is common during the winter months.
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Candidates
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Frequently Asked Questions
Milwaukee’s candidate pool is diverse and well-educated, bolstered by local institutions such as Marquette University Law School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The city attracts legal professionals from across the Midwest due to its vibrant legal market and quality of life.
The Milwaukee legal community includes a mix of seasoned attorneys and fresh law graduates, creating a dynamic environment. With a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion, firms actively seek candidates from varied backgrounds to enhance their teams. This blend of experience and new talent ensures a robust candidate pool ready to meet the city’s legal needs.
In Milwaukee, legal positions in corporate law, healthcare law, and intellectual property are particularly in demand. The city’s strong manufacturing sector and the presence of major corporations like Johnson Controls and Harley-Davidson drive the need for corporate attorneys.
Healthcare law is also critical, with large providers such as Aurora Health Care requiring expertise in regulatory compliance and medical malpractice. Additionally, the growing tech and startup scene in Milwaukee has increased the demand for intellectual property lawyers to protect innovations and manage IP portfolios. Employment law attorneys are also sought after, given the city’s diverse and expanding workforce.
Several key industries shape Milwaukee’s legal market, including manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services. The manufacturing sector, with giants like Harley-Davidson and Rockwell Automation, requires extensive legal services in corporate governance, compliance, and intellectual property.
The healthcare industry, led by organizations such as Aurora Health Care and Froedtert Health, drives the demand for healthcare law expertise. Financial services, with companies like Northwestern Mutual and Baird, necessitate legal professionals skilled in securities law, regulatory compliance, and estate planning. Additionally, the growing technology and startup ecosystem in Milwaukee is increasingly influencing the legal market, especially in intellectual property and cybersecurity law.
Current trends in Milwaukee are significantly impacting the legal field, with a growing emphasis on technology, sustainability, and social justice. The rise of the tech sector has increased demand for intellectual property and cybersecurity legal services. Environmental concerns are driving the need for environmental law expertise, especially related to Lake Michigan and local industries.
Social justice movements have highlighted the importance of employment and civil rights law, leading to more cases involving workplace discrimination and wage disputes. These trends are creating a more dynamic and responsive legal market, adapting to the evolving needs of the community and industries.
Remote work has become a prominent feature of Milwaukee’s legal sector, mirroring broader national trends. Many law firms now offer flexible work arrangements, including hybrid models, to attract and retain talent. This shift has influenced compensation structures, with firms adjusting salaries to reflect remote work benefits.
According to recent data, the average lawyer salary in Milwaukee is approximately $138,078. The flexibility of remote work has also expanded opportunities for professional development and client engagement, allowing legal professionals to utilize technology for virtual consultations, continuing education, and networking events, enhancing overall work-life balance.
Diversity and inclusion are increasingly prioritized in Milwaukee’s legal sector. Efforts to promote inclusivity are evident through organizations like the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers (WAAL) and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Wisconsin (HLAW), which provide networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and advocacy for minority lawyers.
Local firms are implementing more inclusive hiring practices and creating mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups. Events like the annual Diversity in the Law Conference highlight ongoing commitments to fostering an inclusive legal environment. These initiatives reflect the legal community’s dedication to creating a more equitable and diverse professional landscape in Milwaukee.
