Which U.S. city has the most lawyers per capita?

Asked by: Henry Kilback DDS  |  Last update: January 8, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (66 votes)

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. Due to the amount of government interests in Washington D.C. there are more lawyers per capita in the district than anywhere in the United States.

Why does DC have so many lawyers?

The federal government, being one of the largest purchasers of goods and services, creates a strong demand for legal expertise in government contracts and procurement. Lawyers in this field navigate the complexities of bidding, compliance, and contract execution related to government procurement processes.

Do lawyers make $500,000 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.

Which state employs the most lawyers?

California took the top ranking, showcasing an impressive 87,000 job vacancies for legal professionals. A bustling hub of economic and cultural activity, California has emerged as a lucrative destination for lawyers, making it the state with the highest demand for this profession.

Who has the largest number of lawyers?

Location & Density: The states with the most lawyers are New York (with 9.6 lawyers per 1,000 residents), Massachusetts (with 6.1 lawyers per 1,000 residents), and Connecticut (with 5.8 lawyers per 1,000 residents).

Top 10 Cities for Lawyers (Buying Power Index!)

21 related questions found

Which city has the most attorneys?

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. Due to the amount of government interests in Washington D.C. there are more lawyers per capita in the district than anywhere in the United States.

What state has the most lawyers per capita?

Not surprisingly, New York tops the list with 9.6 lawyers per 1,000 residents. California is NOT second on the list; it has 4.5 lawyers per 1,000 residents — a little higher than the national average. Massachusetts is No. 2 with 5.7 lawyers per 1,000 residents.

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.

Where is the most demand for lawyers?

New York State has the highest concentration of lawyers compared to any other state, resulting in higher demand for the profession — nearly double the average national demand.

Is Chicago a good city for lawyers?

The Windy City offers something for every lawyer – on and off the clock. Everyone needs a break from the grind of their job, and lawyers are no exception. A legal hub for some of the top firms in the country, Chicago is also one of the best cities in the world for embracing culture, art, history, and recreation.

What type of lawyer is the richest?

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.

How hard is law school?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

How much does Harvey Specter make?

Financial Evaluation: Harvey starts at a high earning point of $1,000,000 - $1,500,000 as a senior partner. His move to managing partner could see him earning up to $2,500,000. Financial Advice: Harvey's already at the pinnacle of his career; now would be a good time to focus on investments and wealth management.

Why type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

Who is the most powerful attorney?

The World's Richest and Most Influential Attorneys
  • Wichai Thongtang — $1.8 Billion. ...
  • Charlie Munger — $1.6 Billion. ...
  • Bill Neukom — $850 Million. ...
  • Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin) — $440 Million. ...
  • Robert Shapiro — $120 Million. ...
  • Willie E. ...
  • John Branca — $100 Million. ...
  • Roy Black — $65 Million.

What is the best city to live in for lawyers?

Some of the best cities for lawyers in the US, such as New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, offer high-paying opportunities and access to prestigious law firms, making them attractive destinations for legal professionals.

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 the law field saturated?

In recent years the ratio of new law graduates to available legal jobs has been about two to one. Campos argues as a labor market becomes more saturated, wages for participants in that market will decline, all other things being equal.

Who has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

What is the easiest lawyer to become?

The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning. This involves helping clients prepare for the distribution of their assets upon death or incapacitation, making it relatively straightforward compared to other legal fields.

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.

Which state needs the most lawyers?

Top 10 U.S. States with the Highest Interest in Lawyers in 2024
  • North Carolina. North Carolina stands strong at number 1 with 252.87 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. ...
  • Colorado. ...
  • Nevada. ...
  • Connecticut. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • South Carolina. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • Oregon.

Which state pays lawyers the least?

Here's a full breakdown of the average lawyer salary in every state, with California, Massachusetts, and New York at the top, and Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana at the bottom.