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Job outlook for litigation attorneys in the United States
Litigation attorney job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected litigation attorney job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 80,200 new jobs for litigation attorneys are projected over the next decade.
Litigation attorney salaries have increased 7% for litigation attorneys in the last 5 years.
There are over 247,426 litigation attorneys currently employed in the United States.
There are 6,918 active litigation attorney job openings in the US.
The average litigation attorney salary is $109,027.
Are litigation attorney jobs in demand?
Litigation attorney job and salary trends over time
Litigation attorney jobs over time
Litigation attorney job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 247,426 | 0.07% |
| 2020 | 239,117 | 0.07% |
| 2019 | 238,810 | 0.07% |
| 2018 | 233,572 | 0.07% |
| 2017 | 228,332 | 0.07% |
Average litigation attorney salary over time
Litigation attorney salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $109,027 | $52.42 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $105,617 | $50.78 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $103,856 | $49.93 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $102,430 | $49.25 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $101,494 | $48.80 | +2.0% |
Litigation attorney jobs by state
Most common states for litigation attorneys
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 163 | 23% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 24 | 4% |
| 3 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 318 | 2% |
| 4 | California | 39,536,653 | 402 | 1% |
| 5 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 193 | 1% |
| 6 | New York | 19,849,399 | 176 | 1% |
| 7 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 90 | 1% |
| 8 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 86 | 1% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 76 | 1% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 68 | 1% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 63 | 1% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 58 | 1% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 55 | 1% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 50 | 1% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 47 | 1% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 39 | 1% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 39 | 1% |
| 18 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 32 | 1% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 15 | 1% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 13 | 1% |
Most common cities for litigation attorneys
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hackensack | 2 | 4% | $95,610 |
| 2 | Albany | 2 | 2% | $108,639 |
| 3 | Orlando | 4 | 1% | $90,698 |
| 4 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $107,790 |
| 5 | Corpus Christi | 2 | 1% | $99,943 |
| 6 | Fort Lauderdale | 2 | 1% | $90,572 |
| 7 | Irving | 2 | 1% | $100,746 |
| 8 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $90,612 |
| 9 | Los Angeles | 12 | 0% | $136,869 |
| 10 | New York | 4 | 0% | $109,381 |
| 11 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $91,958 |
| 12 | Charlotte | 2 | 0% | $75,671 |
| 13 | Columbus | 2 | 0% | $81,872 |
| 14 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $105,660 |
| 15 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $90,429 |
| 16 | San Antonio | 2 | 0% | $101,024 |
| 17 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $143,745 |
| 18 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $102,835 |
Litigation Attorney job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of litigation attorney experts
University of North Dakota
Rollins College
University of Cincinnati
Lewis and Clark School of Law
Southern Illinois University
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Illinois State University
University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
Saint Augustine's University
What general advice would you give to a Litigation Attorney?
Kimberly Dasse: The concept of a legal career encompasses a wide array of roles, extending beyond the traditional associate-partner trajectory. I therefore recommend that law students plan early. While still in school, seek out internships or externships that afford opportunities to explore diverse roles, such as placements at non-profits, district attorney’s offices, public defender’s offices, and law firms. This type of exposure will help students to determine what roles align best with their personal circumstances, identity, and aspirations. Once a course is set, pursue that path with determination. As practitioners, they should strive to excel by applying their academic knowledge and life experiences to their work. Pose thoughtful questions that reflect genuine engagement and consideration for the work. Cultivate mentoring relationships with seasoned professionals who can offer guidance in navigating legal practice and office dynamics. The above steps are particularly important for first-generation professionals. As new entrants to the profession, one may not have a built-in or pre-existing network, so building connections early in law school can yield significant benefits later when transitioning into the profession.
What Litigation Attorney skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kimberly Dasse: By taking the steps I have outlined above, new entrants will set themselves up for success by finding the right roles for themselves and developing valued skills.
What will help Litigation Attorneys increase their earning potential?
Kimberly Dasse: Lawyers must adeptly navigate a diverse array of roles, ranging from advisors to counselors to planners, writers, researchers, supervisors, and more. Aside from producing quality legal work, reflect on your other strengths and dedicate time to developing yourself further. A skilled lawyer who is also an excellent manager of people offers a unique set of skills that may appeal to upper legal management in your organization. As the legal landscape evolves, I believe two key skills will emerge: technology and teamwork. The integration of AI into legal services is reshaping the profession with more innovation on the horizon. For our clients, blockchain technology, data analytics, and digitized workplaces are becoming standard. Thus, technology will become more embedded into an array of fields, not just “techie” industries. Those who follow and understand technological developments will engage the worlds our clients live in, enhance their own efficiency within their firms and deliver cost-effective services. Consequently, I urge new entrants to deepen their technological understanding and remain abreast of advancements. Additionally, collaboration lies at the heart of legal work, but its dynamics are transforming. While a solid grasp of technology is pivotal for future legal careers, honing interpersonal skills is equally vital. The future legal team may encompass a wide range of professionals in virtual settings. Thus, lawyers with high emotional intelligence who are adept at motivating individuals, building teams, and integrating the work of diverse professionals will become a valued skill. Accordingly, as lawyers consider ways to develop their skills, they should consider refining their skills as managers, supervisors, or coaches.
What general advice would you give to a Litigation Attorney?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: Find a mentor and be involved with your local legal associations. Porter Gale said, “your network is your net worth.” And, I couldn’t agree more! As a new paralegal, legal operations specialist, or attorney, growing your network helps in all aspects of your career. You will gain new skills, increase your business development ability, engage in meaningful volunteering opportunities, and truly find an area of law you want to specialize in.
What Litigation Attorney skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: GenAI! Which means highlights the importance of skills like organization, communication, and consensus building. The legal field has historically been technology hesitant, but the pandemic and AI have forced the use and adaptation of technology. AI’s exponential growth will require new skills at a lightning fast pace. A bellwether in the legal field is eDiscovery as it requires the ability to organize massive amounts of information as well as clearly and concisely communicate the information. AI is helping paralegals and attorneys do just this! Finally, in a world that often hides behind screens, having the ability to build consensus and connect with others will be invaluable.
What will help Litigation Attorneys increase their earning potential?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: Do your research and clearly communicate your ask with supporting evidence. A simple internet search will provide you actual salary ranges. An applicant then needs to take this information and explain why X is the amount based on individual specifics. Also, never negotiated against yourself—meaning sometimes you need to be silent and wait.
Mike Gunter Ph.D.
Director, Holt International AffairsRollins College
International Relations Faculty
What soft skills should all Litigation Attorneys possess?
Mike Gunter Ph.D.: Critical thinking is what we emphasize most and what studies show employers value most. This applies to both oral presentations and the written word. The truth is, today's graduates will hold well over a dozen different jobs in their careers. Oftentimes, you will have little to no training for those jobs. You will need to learn on the job. Solid critical thinking skills are a huge asset in negotiating this process.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Litigation Attorneys?
Mike Gunter Ph.D.: Good writing will always be crucial. There are all types of audiences, of course, so you need to adjust accordingly. But even as technology changes, good writing will remain a valuable asset.
What skills stand out on Litigation Attorney resumes?
Mike Gunter Ph.D.: From an undergraduate coursework perspective, diversity of courses taken. That combines with the level of difficulty of those courses, highlighting how a candidate has been challenged in several areas and met those challenges.
James Tomaszewski
Director of the Center for Professional DevelopmentUniversity of Cincinnati
College of Law
What skills stand out on Litigation Attorney resumes?
James Tomaszewski: Demonstrated commitment to a particular practice area, especially experiential learning opportunities such as externships and clinics.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Litigation Attorneys?
James Tomaszewski: Excellent writing skills.
What skills will help Litigation Attorneys earn the most?
James Tomaszewski: Hard work, excellent writing, and interpersonal finesse.
What soft skills should all Litigation Attorneys possess?
James Tomaszewski: Engagement, Resilience, Responsiveness, Respectfulness, Integrity.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Litigation Attorneys?
Joel Silverman: We are unique, in that we are looking for team players and attorneys that want to market and learn about the business of law. For us, it is imperative that an attorney keep an open mind towards learning about more than just the law, but about psychology, business, marketing, sales and the law. We aren't looking for experts, but those that want to grow in a more wholistic sense, within the practice of law.
How have salaries changed over time for Litigation Attorneys?
Joel Silverman: Absolutely. Salaries have gone up by 50%, since I started, 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the cost of education has gone up faster than the increase in salaries. With that said, an attorney truly has a sky's the limit to their salary. If an attorney can understand the business of the practice of law, then that attorney has a leg up on all other competition. The business of the practice will also change, based upon the firm you are working in, at the time. However, the end result is that the better you understand the business (which isn't taught in law school), then the more you will make within the practice.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Litigation Attorney job market given the pandemic?
Joel Silverman: I believe that the biggest trend we will see in the job market is that job seekers are going to have to become more flexible. Not only are they going to have to think about what is going to get them a job, but what are they going to bring to the table for an employer in a rapidly changing market? How can the recent graduate bring more than just the same old legal knowledge? Do they have marketing and sales experience? How can a new attorney help a firm with their social media presence? IT experience and remote learning/educating? Technology continues to evolve and shape the way in which we practice our craft and market our skills. The new graduate has the potential for a set of skills that the employer does not have and therefore, the graduate has to make that part of their practice shine.
What soft skills should all Litigation Attorneys possess?
Jennifer Brobst: Two soft skills come to mind immediately: kindness and self-restraint. I have noticed that this generation of new attorneys is less accustomed to taking conflict in stride. What I mean is that in a social media world, one can overreact without facing the other person or simply walk away without responding to a text or post that seems confrontational or disrespectful. In person, there is usually no way to walk away without making the situation worse, so we get better and better at figuring out how to respond with kindness, humor, and patience. That is an excellent skill to have with clients who naturally feel stressed, or with overworked or overzealous opposing counsel or judges.
As to self-restraint, many ethics violations occur among attorneys who feel overwhelmed by their workload. Law school is the best place to learn how to figure out how to manage one's time, and to learn self-restraint -- i.e., when to stop and move on to the next task. This quality of self-restraint will not only help to make sure that new attorneys are reliable on behalf of their clients, but that they are happy with their job for the long-haul. There will always be more clients, but an attorney who knows their limits, but still gets the job done, will be glad to be an attorney throughout their career.
Jason Cieslik
Assistant Professor & Academic Advisor of Legal StudiesIllinois State University
Department of Politics & Government
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Litigation Attorney job market given the pandemic?
Jason Cieslik: In terms of trends in specific areas of law, it is expected that the legal field will see an increase in workload in labor and employment, family law, healthcare, bankruptcy, and estate planning. Some general practitioners have been able to sustain a healthy workload where there has been a decrease in one area of law, but an increase in others due to the pandemic, such as family law and bankruptcy.
Since the pandemic began, we are seeing firms realize that much of the workload can be conducted remotely. Thus, firms are downsizing their workspaces and opting for smaller offices. This has allowed some firms to save money on physical space and hire additional personnel. However, some firms are asking their employees to work from the office, at least some days during the week. This requires some legal navigation with employee's health and safety concerns. Thus, management must have a social distancing policy in place, as well as taking into account privacy concerns of each employee.
Obviously, hiring practices have changed dramatically since the pandemic. Traditionally, interviews would take place in-person. However, most interviews are taking place via Zoom or some other interactive online format. Both firms and those seeking jobs in the legal field have had to adjust their advertising and job search methods due to the pandemic. In-person networking is not feasible. Thus, paralegals and attorneys seeking work have been advised to join professional organizations that meet online for the purpose of networking and sharing information. Jobs are available, but employers and future employees need to be creative and adjust to this alternative format of networking. Those seeking work need to be flexible, diligent in their search, and aggressive in following up with leads.
Hanna Royce
Assistant Dean of Career ServicesUniversity of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
Career Services Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Litigation Attorney job market given the pandemic?
Hanna Royce: The pandemic has shown many law firms that their employees can work successfully in a remote environment. I expect to see more remote opportunities. Job seekers also need to be prepared to convey themselves professionally through virtual interviews.
What Litigation Attorney skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hanna Royce: The key to success is to add new and relevant legal experience to their resume. If graduates are not taking on full-time roles, this could mean completing document review or project work on a contract basis.
What general advice would you give to a Litigation Attorney?
Hanna Royce: Graduates should keep their network active. This includes them taking the time to re-engage with the members of their network on a regular basis and continuing to make new contacts. They should make it a priority to stay in touch with their classmates and professors. They might be looking for a new position in the future, and their legal network can help them locate opportunities through the hidden job market.
Many graduates are securing remote positions. To be successful in a remote environment, employees need to make the extra effort to communicate and stay connected with colleagues. Even when employees are telecommuting, they should dress as if they are going into the office. This can help them with productivity and illustrate their professionalism when meeting with colleagues or clients.
Patrick Webb Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSaint Augustine's University
Department of Criminal Justice
What Litigation Attorney skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Patrick Webb Ph.D.: Given the influence and efficacy of data analysis and the use of data in decision-making, I would encourage students to receive additional instruction in the area of data analytics and interpretation. This includes enrolling in courses or receiving one-on-one instruction (i.e., tutoring) in the subject area of statistics and/or research methods. In addition, given the impact of global catastrophic events, I would also encourage students to receive instruction within the disciplines of sociology, social psychology, and developmental psychology.