How many lawyers are in a New York bar?

Asked by: Dr. Adah Braun  |  Last update: September 4, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (34 votes)

Lawyers by state One-fourth of all the lawyers in the country are in just two states: New York (187,656 lawyers) and California (175,883 lawyers). Combined, they have 28% of the nation's lawyers, according to the 2024 ABA National Lawyer Population Survey.

What is a lawyer's salary in NYC?

The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is $244,021 per year in the New York City Ny area, with an average salary of $143,467 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.

Who is the biggest law firm in NYC?

The latest ranking is based on New York offices of U.S-founded firms in 2023. The NYLJ 100 reported for the first time last year that Kirkland & Ellis, with its roots in Chicago, became the largest New York firm, surpassing Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Davis Polk & Wardwell.

What three states have the most lawyers?

States with larger urban populations – like New York, Texas, California, and Florida – have the most lawyers and law firms per capita in the United States. Washington D.C. – although it is not a state and is qualified as a district – has been deemed by many as the Lawyer Capital of the World.

Does NY have bar numbers for attorneys?

Many states have Bar numbers; New York does not. The registration number, which appears on the biennial registration form, is used for internal Office of Court Administration record-keeping only.

How I Passed the New York Bar Exam and How You Can Do It Too

22 related questions found

How many lawyers are in New York?

Lawyers by state

One-fourth of all the lawyers in the country are in just two states: New York (187,656 lawyers) and California (175,883 lawyers). Combined, they have 28% of the nation's lawyers, according to the 2024 ABA National Lawyer Population Survey. North Dakota has the fewest lawyers among the 50 states: 1,663.

How many pro bono hours does a New York Bar have?

The state of New York requires all applicants to the New York Bar to complete 50 hours of law-related pro bono service before their time of application.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

What is the highest paying state for lawyers?

Highest paid states for lawyers
  • California ($201,530)
  • Massachusetts ($196,230)
  • New York ($188,900)
  • Connecticut ($174,520)
  • Colorado ($168,680)
  • Nevada ($166,740)
  • Texas ($166,620)
  • Georgia ($165,560)

What type of lawyer makes the most money in USA?

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 is the oldest law firm in New York?

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (known as Cadwalader) is a white-shoe law firm based in New York City. It is the city's oldest law firm and one of the oldest continuously operating legal practices in the United States. Attorney John Wells founded the practice in 1792.

Where do most lawyers in New York live?

More than half live in the suburbs. Chappaqua, Hastings-on-Hudson, Rye and Scarsdale have high concentrations of lawyers, as does Newstead, New Jersey. In Long Island, the North Shore (Great Neck and Manhasset) and South Shore (Hewlett Bay Park and Hewlett Harbor) of Long Island have relatively high concentrations.

Who is the highest paid lawyer in New York?

Topping the list is Blackstone chief legal officer John Finley, who received $22.2 million total compensation in 2022. Following just behind is KKR's Kathryn “Katie” King Sudol, who brought home $18.6 million in total compensation.

How long is law school in NY?

Law school is typically a three-year program, and most law schools require full-time attendance. One can attend any law school in the United States and apply to practice in NYS, as long as the law school is approved by the American Bar Association, also known as the ABA.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.

What is the highest paying job in the world?

Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. A CEO is the highest-ranked position in any organisation's structure. Irrespective of the company's size, a CEO handles all its day-to-day corporate affairs, manages resources and handles all managerial processes.

Who is the lowest paid lawyer?

We find that within the legal industry, certain segments are known to offer lower compensation. Typically, public defenders, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers working for nonprofit organizations are among the lowest paid.

Is the NY bar exam hard?

How Hard is the New York Bar Exam? The New York bar exam cut score or passing mark (266/400) is higher than it is in some other other states. However, a majority of states have higher score requirements than New York.

Which lawyer is most in demand?

Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law.

Is it harder to become a lawyer than a doctor?

It takes less time to become a lawyer than it does to become a medical doctor. Therefore, by that metric alone, it's easier to become a lawyer than a medical doctor.

Is New York Bar worth it?

There appear to be merits and weaknesses to the qualification, but it is contended that for students, the merits do outweigh the weaknesses. The New York Bar is a highly prized asset, not least because you can immediately be billed out as a qualified attorney-at-law, rather than just a UK trainee solicitor.

How do pro bono lawyers get paid?

Usually, pro bono attorneys do not get paid. But there is the possibility that a pro bono attorney may receive some amount of compensation — or at least not lose money for taking the case. Lawyers who take pro bono cases may also receive waivers of court costs and other filing fees.

What is the longest bar in NY State?

Oscar Wilde. Celebrating the legendary Irish playwright, Oscar Wilde has New York City's longest bar at 118.5 feet.