Is the lawyer career growing or shrinking?

Asked by: Mr. Stuart Gleason  |  Last update: August 1, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (9 votes)

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.

Are 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 being a lawyer a growing field?

The employment of lawyers is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, the BLS reports.

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.

Will lawyers be in high demand in the future?

As technology continues to reshape industries and global regulatory environments become more complex, legal professionals who are equipped with a combination of legal expertise and technical knowledge will be in the highest demand.

"QUIT YOUR JOB BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.." - Jordan Peterson Motivation

26 related questions found

Is the law industry growing?

Overall, with demand high across law firm segments through most of the year, the industry is “stable,” and the practice areas that drove activity this year will likely continue to be strong next year, wrote the authors of the 2025 Citi Hildebrandt Client Advisory, published Thursday.

Which law is highest in demand?

Some of the most popular law specializations in India are – Civil Law, Criminal Law , Corporate Law , Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Law .

Will a lawyer 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.

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.

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.

Is a lawyer a stable career?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.5% employment growth for lawyers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 62,400 jobs should open up. A lawyer advises and represents individuals or organizations in legal matters.

Does law have a good future?

Yes, law is a good career in India. It offers diverse opportunities in areas like corporate law, litigation, legal consultancy, judiciary, and public service. Law is a respected profession that provides intellectual stimulation, financial growth, and job stability.

Which field of law pays the most?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • 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.

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%.

Is there an oversupply of lawyers?

However, an oversupply of lawyers can saturate the job market, leading to stiffer competition, lower starting salaries, and fewer stable positions, especially for recent graduates. This surplus may also drive some legal professionals toward high-volume, lower-fee work, potentially impacting service quality.

Are lawyers losing their jobs?

Sept 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. legal services sector lost 4,200 jobs in August, new Labor Department data showed on Friday, reaching its lowest level so far this year. Legal sector jobs totaled 1,175,700 last month, according to preliminary seasonally adjusted data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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.

Will I be poor as a lawyer?

Lucrative career

Lawyers have the ability to earn a generous income. They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year . Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience.

How stressful is the life of a lawyer?

Lawyers are expected to provide expert advice, make critical decisions, and work under tight deadlines, all while dealing with the constant demands of clients, colleagues, and the court system. This can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression, which are all too common in the legal profession.

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.

Why can't robots replace lawyers?

AI isn't there to replace legal professionals but rather change how they work. Ultimately, AI is a tool to be used and should help lawyers spend more time on the human aspects of the role, such as client relationships and advocacy. There could also be the opportunity to enhance your career prospects.

Will Chat GPT replace lawyers?

While AI tools like ChatGPT have the potential to change the way lawyers work, that doesn't mean that it will replace them. Lawyers may harness AI as a tool to help them work faster and more effectively—but they'll still ultimately be responsible for completing legal work and practicing law.

Which law has highest salary?

M&A, private equity, and banking law are some of the most lucrative practice areas, with firms paying top salaries to attract specialists​.

What is the hardest law degree to get?

The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.

What is the least stressful field of law?

What type of lawyer is the least stressful? Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice. Unlike other practice areas, people's lives aren't on the line.