Profitable Law Positions Available in Orange County
Most Prevalent Employers of Lawyers in Orange County
More than 4,000 attorneys and 3,500 paralegals work for nearly 700 law firms in Orange County, California. Orange County law firms range from mid-sized and large AM Law 200 firms to boutique firms and solo practitioners. Among the largest law firms in Orange County are Workman Nydegger, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Rutan & Tucker LLP, and Snell & Wilmer.
Government agencies and the courts provide employment opportunities for legal professionals in the public sector in Orange County. Two of the major employers in our area include the Public Defender’s Office, which has nearly 130 attorneys working in six locations, and the District Attorney’s Office with more than 350 attorneys and 200 administrative staff . Other government agencies which employ legal professionals include the Federal Attorney’s Office, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Superior Court of Orange County, California Department of Justice, Social Security Administration, Board of Equalization, and more.
Many corporations in Orange County also hire legal staff, both in the government and private sectors. For example, large hospitals and financial institutions have in-house legal departments and hire for various positions. The corporate which employs the largest number of legal professionals in Orange County is Pacific Life Insurance Co., hiring at least 60 attorneys. Other large employers include Farmers Insurance, Allergan, Inc., FivePoint Holdings LLC, Newport Beach Repair Center and Anaheim School District.
Desirable Legal Practice Areas
The legal landscape in Orange County is as diverse as its population, and finding a lucrative law job here often comes down to specialization. An increasing demand for lawyers who have expertise in niche areas of practice is evident. As the county’s economy continues to evolve, a few in-demand specializations, such as corporate law, environmental law, and intellectual property, appear to gain an achievement edge over the rest.
Corporate law encompasses a wide range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, business transactions, taxation, and international commerce. Many law firms specializing in corporate law are situated near corporate business parks and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). An in-demand corporate lawyer will have experience working with foreign and domestic corporations, and an understanding of the economic and cultural effects of globalization. New technology has changed the way corporate lawyers work, and young associates are expected to have a knowledge of social media and enterprise-based information technology management. Corporate lawyers with international experience will always be valuable assets to any firm.
Environmental law is a hot topic right now. Climate change concerns, specifically water shortage, are a top priority for California. Orange County has also become a leader in the green building movement, having more LEED-certified buildings than any other county in the country. Legal specialists in environmental law are needed in order to ensure that businesses operate in a manner that is in compliance with environmental regulations, especially after the consuming drought.
Intellectual property is another well-paid specialization that is in high demand. Tax law, litigation, criminal law enforcement, litigation support, and expungement all fall under the umbrella of intellectual property. A lawyer in this field may specialize in one or several of these practice areas. Many companies across the country, including Prime Healthcare Services and Aecom Technology Corporation, are based in and around Orange County, leading to a need for tax lawyers and business lawyers with experience in civil and commercial litigation, contractual agreements, and tax code compliance.
Essential Qualifications for Legal Positions
For those aspiring to enter the job market, the legal positions in Orange County generally require either a law degree or a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a related field. A law degree can be obtained after completing a bachelor’s degree and an exam (such as the LSAT) in about three years. A doctorate of jurisprudence (JD) is the most common law degree and is mandatory in all states in order to practice law. Law schools will only accept graduate students with a JD degree in most cases, though in California, a bachelor’s degree in a related field is all that is necessary to enter law school. For many paralegal jobs, an associate’s degree in paralegal studies is required, while a bachelor’s degree is required for other more complex paralegal jobs. Certificate programs may also provide the hands-on training needed for paralegal jobs, especially offered through community colleges or paralegal professional organizations. As with law degrees, a bachelor’s degree is needed in order to obtain an associate’s degree in a paralegal undergraduate program. A master’s or doctorate level degree in a specialized field is usually required for most legal consultant jobs. For instance, a medical malpractice consultant will typically need at least a master’s level nursing degree with advanced specialization in a certain area of medicine, while a financial consultant will need at least a master’s level finance or accounting degree. Continuing education classes are often required, with ethics classes strongly suggested by professional organizations. Licensure and certification are not typically required for jobs in the legal field; however, they can enhance career opportunities and allow for greater earnings. Certification can include formal education or experience in areas such as bankruptcy, employee benefits, environmental law, food and drug law and many others. Most certification programs require a JD degree to enter and a high passing score on an exam in order to receive the certification.
Demonstrate Professional Networking in Orange County Legal Community
As with all jobs across the country, the job market for lawyers has proven to be formidable. For those actively seeking law jobs in Orange County, the key to landing a highly sought after position is not only to showcase your experience, but also how you are going to contribute to the firm’s success in the future.
Networking within the legal community in Orange County will help you achieve this. Not only will you make connections that may be able to assist you with your job search, but joining professional organizations, attending legal events and becoming involved in your local legal community will help you to establish relationships, gain insight into your profession and learn about new opportunities that could lead to lucrative law jobs in Orange County.
Orange County bars and other legal professional organizations are among the best ways to network with other attorneys to advance your career. Through these professional groups, you will be able to connect with other attorneys, develop referral sources, foster business relationships and learn about new openings at other firms. Furthermore, professional organizations afford new lawyers an opportunity to build business acumen and learn about improvement in the field through seminars and other professional development opportunities.
Legal events provide similar networking opportunities. Whether you are attending a seminar, a conference or a social event, you may meet other lawyers who can help you in your job search. For instance, other lawyers may be able to tell you about openings at their firms and recommend you for those positions. These events allow you to meet with attorneys from across the nation and learn about the legal community as a whole. Attending these types of events can also provide insight into new developments in the field and help you to compile new resources that you can use in your new position.
By participating in networking opportunities such as these, you’ll have a better understanding of the legal field and be able to market yourself to other laws firms. In some cases, if the firm gets to know you enough and knows they want to hire you, they may even create a position tailored to your needs. Networking is a great way for law professionals in Orange County to connect with other lawyers and learn about resources and specific opportunities.
Effective Job Search Methods for Attorneys
Job search strategies for lawyers are similar to those of other executive professionals, and this can sometimes be a misconception. The availability of jobs only at larger law firms has narrowed considerably in recent years, due largely to the constantly shifting nature of large and midsize firm attorneys and their need for balance. So, where should you be looking if you would like to secure a lucrative position in an Orange County law firm? Business-focused online job boards, such as those featured on Legal Job Exchange (LJE) or one of the many legal industry specific job boards , are a great place to start. You should also consider enlisting the services of a professional recruitment agency, and hiring a recruiter who understands your industry is critical. Having a strong online video presence, with a current professional profile featuring a head-shot and links to any publications that you are currently featured in, is also a must. LinkedIn is a crucial recruiting tool for many recruiters and search firms, so take advantage of having a professional profile which clearly and concisely sums up both your education and experience.
Compensation and Opportunity for Advancement
For those pursuing different positions, salaries will range accordingly. In-house positions typically pay between $100,000 to $180,000, while litigation and transactional attorneys can expect to earn roughly $70,000 to $160,000 in general. Of course, salaries can reach the $200,000 to $300,000 range depending on the circumstances of the firms themselves. Experienced attorneys or those with specialized skills can expect to negotiate a higher salary.
A variety of factors can influence an attorney’s salary such as years of experience, practice/education specialization, and even firm size. In general, attorneys with more years of experience and a mandate of particular skills can expect to make a more competitive salary within the legal market. Law firms also value attorneys with MBAs for some positions. Those attorneys with prior business experience are also considered valuable for many positions of leadership within law firms and corporations.
The growth potential for attorneys and law firms in Orange County is on the rise. Many local firms have placed significant investments and efforts to capture a wider net of clients that require diverse legal representation. Equally important, a variety of new and existing companies have made their home in Orange County, and many of these companies need legal representation for all stages of their business. The robust and healthy opportunities in Orange County have led to an increased expansion of law firms and their attorneys. Those with ambitions to be leaders and innovators have plenty of opportunities to grow and advance their careers in Orange County.
Role Orange County’s Economy Plays in Legal Employment
The strong economic environment in Orange County and its most significant industries plays a large part in creating legal jobs for attorneys. However, the expansion of in-house legal departments has also increased the opportunities available to attorneys.
Orange County’s commercial growth is supported by several core industries, including healthcare, technology, finance, tourism and hospitality, and legal and professional services. This growth has a direct impact on demand for legal services. Corporations, for example, experience a a greater need for corporate and transactional attorneys to assist in establishing strategic joint ventures and partnerships. Likewise, given the increasing number of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the region, another area of legal demand lies in patent, trademark, or intellectual property attorneys .
There are more than 3,000 lawyers in Orange County, CA working for approximately 900 law firms and 140 corporate legal departments. One-third of the law firms employ ten attorneys or less, and nearly all of the law firms are small, employing between one and thirty attorneys each. More than half of the county’s lawyers are employed by law firms with over thirty attorneys. Orange County is home to 22 corporations with the Fortune 500, and 12 that make the Fortune 1000. Technology drives much of the demand for legal services, and many of the previous technology companies have been acquired by larger companies or have had initial public offerings. Eight large law firms are headquartered in the OC. Legal work is thus concentrated at large and medium-sized firms, as well as corporate legal departments.