Are lawyers growing or declining?
Asked by: Leo Baumbach PhD | Last update: October 4, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (21 votes)
Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 35,600 openings for lawyers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Is the demand for lawyers increasing or decreasing?
Growth of the legal profession
Over the past decade, the number of lawyers nationwide has grown by more than 41,000, according to the survey — an increase of 3.2% from 2014 to 2024.
Is the lawyer career growing or shrinking?
What is the current law career outlook? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the overall employment of lawyers to increase by 10% from 2021 to 2031. This rate is faster than the average for all occupations and translates to an average of 48,700 openings for lawyers each year over the next decade.
Is being a lawyer in high demand?
Yes, lawyers in all sectors of law are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for lawyers is expected to grow 8% from the years 2022 to 2032. This translates to just over 39,000 job openings for lawyers each year in this time frame.
Will lawyers become more or less popular?
Legal trends in 2025 and beyond
There currently are more than 1.3 million lawyers in the US, with job growth projected to increase up to 15% between 2023 and 2033. As the emerging areas of law grow, the need for lawyers practicing in these specialized fields will also grow.
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Are lawyers becoming oversaturated?
Law School Myth 5:
The job market for lawyers is oversaturated. While it is true that there are more law school graduates than there are jobs available in some markets, the job market for lawyers is actually quite strong overall.
Will attorneys be replaced by AI?
Hence, AI is highly unlikely to replace human lawyers. Dependence on Technology: Overreliance on AI tools may lead to skill atrophy among legal professionals. AI should be seen as a sidekick in law firms, improving operational efficiency but never taking the wheel from seasoned pros.
Which field of law is most in demand?
Corporate law, criminal law, human rights law, and tax law are some of the most popular specialities in law that students can select from their law school among the legal courses given in various specialisations. It takes a lot of patience to practise law as a profession. Law is one of our most prosperous professions.
Is there a future in being a lawyer?
Employment for lawyers is projected to grow 8% annually through 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This equates to roughly 39,100 job openings each year over the next decade.
Which field of lawyer makes most money?
Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.
What percentage of lawyers quit?
The 2023 findings from 128 participating firms in the U.S. and Canada, reflect data from 5,236 associate hires and 3,875 associate departures. The findings also revealed an overall 2023 associate attrition rate of 18%, continuing the decline from 2022's 20% and 2021's historically high 26%.
What type of attorney is in most demand?
Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Other quickly growing areas of law also include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.
Why does Big law pay so much?
Why does Big Law pay so well? Big Law firms pay well in part because of the extremely competitive market, in which firms are raising salaries to keep up with each other and capture top talent. That competition is creating a wider divide between the largest firms and the midlevel and small firms.
Are less people becoming lawyers?
One of the primary reasons for California's lawyer shortage may be the decline in law school enrollments. Compared to the peak enrollment year of 2010, enrollments in JD programs in 2023 were down over 20%. The high cost of legal education and the burden of student debt are likely detering many potential candidates.
Are lawyers making less money?
The average lawyer wage in the highest-paid area (San Jose, California, at $268,570) is four times greater than the average wage in the lowest-paid area (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, at $62,380). There are three surprises among the 20 areas with the highest lawyer wages. Midland, Michigan, near Saginaw, is No. 6 at $220,780.
Are law firms growing?
Billing rate growth continues to drive law firms' ascent in 2024, particularly for the top 50 firms, which could see double-digit profit gains by year-end, according to a new bank report.
Is law still lucrative?
Based on these numbers alone, it's possible to say that lawyers do indeed make good money, even just fresh out of law school. After gaining some experience, typically around five to ten years into your career, salaries can continue to increase significantly.
What is the typical life of a lawyer?
Daily job duties of a lawyer
Assist individuals and businesses as a guardian, executor or advisor. Make court appearances to represent clients or gather important case information. Review legal data, laws and evidence. Prepare, draft and review legal documents.
Do lawyers make a good living?
Lawyer salaries by state
Lawyers in these states earn the highest median salaries: California ($175,680) New York ($172,880) Massachusetts ($161,530)
What branch of law pays the most?
- Trial lawyer: $134,000.
- Tax attorney: $122,000.
- Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
- Medical lawyer: $113,000.
- Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
- Family lawyer: $93,000.
- Criminal defense lawyer: $86,000.
- Immigration lawyer: $83,000.
What is the fastest growing area of law?
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
This area is perhaps the fastest-growing, hottest area of law, with the demand for qualified lawyers exceeding the supply.
Who is the highest paid lawyer in America?
Peter Angelos | $2 Billion
The wealthiest lawyer in North America, Peter Angelos earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore and gained prominence in asbestos litigation, securing over $100 million from a single case.
What jobs will AI not replace?
Industries like healthcare, education, creative arts, human resources, and trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers) are less affected by AI because they require human judgment, creativity, and physical dexterity.
What is the future of lawyers?
The future of law is intrinsically linked to technological competence, underscoring a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. Lawyers should not be afraid of technology but rather treat it as a tool to be leveraged. Future lawyers will not only be legal experts but also proficient in harnessing technology.
Can ChatGPT replace lawyers?
Still, one thing's for certain: adopting technology responsibly can help save time managing your law firm and has a measurable impact on law firm performance. While AI tools like ChatGPT have the potential to change the way lawyers work, that doesn't mean that it will replace them.