2024 Legal Salaries and Hiring Trends

Demand for specialized expertise is driving much of the hiring activity in the legal field. In particular, corporate legal departments and small-to-midsize law firms seek skilled legal candidates with 3-7 years of experience to join their teams.

Legal professionals are trying to attain better work-life balance through remote and hybrid work arrangements, although many employers want them fully in-office. Robert Half recruiters report that this can contribute to positions being left unstaffed. Employee attrition and competition for expertise have law firms and corporate legal departments increasing their reliance on skilled contract professionals.

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Law Firm

Corporate (In-House)

Law Firm Administration

Legal Support

Legal Specialist

Legal Operations

Compliance Administration

Contract Management

Lease Administration

Litigation Support/eDiscovery

General Administrative

Position Title

25th Percentile

50th Percentile

75th Percentile

Lawyer/Attorney, 10+ Years' Experience

137750

167250

193250

Lawyer/Attorney, 4-9 Years' Experience

104500

133500

165500

Lawyer/Attorney, 2-3 Years' Experience

93250

117500

144500

First-Year Lawyer/Attorney

77000

94500

122750

Business and Ethics Lawyer/Attorney

100000

145000

180000

25th Percentile

New to the role, with little or no experience; requires more than casual instruction or supervision to perform day-to-day duties

50th Percentile

Has the experience to consistently perform core responsibilities without direct supervision; very comfortable with processes and subject matter associated with the role

75th Percentile

Value to the organization goes far beyond the ability to perform normal job duties; has rare qualifications that enable consistent contribution in unique ways; ready for next career level when available

Hiring Trends in Legal

Litigation experience in high demand at law firms

Law firms of all sizes need attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants to support an increase in litigation and a backlog of court cases. Legal professionals with experience in civil, class action and commercial litigation; insurance defense; and personal injury are expected to remain in high demand in 2024 and beyond. Other hot practice areas include family law and estate planning.

Smaller firms’ recruiting emphasis: a positive work culture

Small and midsize law firms are doing much of the hiring, but they may have difficulty matching above-market salaries found at larger firms.

To compete, smaller firms are emphasizing hybrid work options, a positive company culture and opportunities for growth.

Leadership and
management
experience Research and
information
analysis Advanced
technical skills Client
management AI and
machine learning Leadership and
management
experience Research and
information
analysis Advanced
technical skills Client
management AI and
machine learning

Corporate legal teams seek compliance analysts, data privacy experts

Corporate legal teams continue to handle more work in-house while facing pressure to control outside counsel costs. They seek compliance analysts, contract administrators, data privacy experts and other legal specialists to support business needs and complex regulatory requirements. Corporate paralegals are also in demand.

How legal teams handle heavy workloads

Offering flexible schedules and other perks to improve work-life balance is helping companies attract top talent.

In-house teams are leveraging technology to achieve greater efficiency.

Many managers are hiring contract professionals to help close knowledge gaps.

Lawyer Legal specialist Legal support General
administrative Legal research
and analysis Lawyer Legal specialist General
administrative Legal research
and analysis

Litigation support
and eDiscovery In-house counsel Legal support Legal operations Lease
administration Litigation support
and eDiscovery In-house counsel Legal support Legal operations Lease
administration

Hottest jobs

Contract manager

In-house counsel, 0-3 years’ experience

Legal administrator

Legal assistant

Legal secretary, 1-2 years’ experience

Manager litigation support/eDiscovery, 3-6 years’ experience

Paralegal, 2-3 years’ experience

Paralegal manager

Industries hiring most

Financial services

Healthcare

Insurance

Manufacturing

In-demand practice areas

Ethics and corporate governance

Labor and employment law

Litigation

Privacy, data security and information law

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How do we determine our salary figures? See our methodology.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Our estimates do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognizing that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

Other data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. Respondents included hiring managers and employees from small (less than $50 million in revenues), midsize ($50 million to $1 billion) and large ($1 billion or greater) private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across the United States.

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