A Look at the Legal Market in Sacramento
With the legal hiring market continuing to improve across the nation, California, and particularly the Sacramento market, has seen a steady influx of talent in the market of lawyers, paralegals and support staff.
Demand for associates and senior-level lawyers remained strong in 2015. Demand for paralegals and support staff continues to improve as well, as more clients look for alternate billings and chamber firms try to keep costs down during the recovery process. Corporate attorney positions made up the highest percentage of positions available in 2015 and were followed by litigation and IP attorneys. The demand for IP and privacy attorneys demonstrates that a large number of in-house legal departments are re-evaluating their internal needs and considering how to lessen their growing expenditures on IP legal services.
While the legal market as a whole is expanding, some areas are showing more promise than others. For example, Sacramento law firms are struggling to recruit candidates for executive level corporate counsels with $30M+ salaries. The high salaries in question are a bit out of reach for a good number of candidates. What is also making it difficult for firms to fill open positions is the fact that some of the top executive level talent in the Sacramento area are not interested in relocating. For those that are willing to relocate , firms in the Sacramento area may be able to attract executive counsel level talent to work in-house for their firm or have them work in partnership with the firm. Some firms are offering additional relocation packages to provide competitive advantages over rival firms.
Although a broad range of practice areas are experiencing job growth, the Sacramento area has particular need for junior and mid-level corporate, real estate, employment, litigation, tax, and construction lawyers. The demand for junior and mid-level-level attorneys with a few years of experience is particularly strong. Due to the aforementioned high salaries for executive level corporate counsel, the Sacramento area is also seeing a need for skilled attorneys to fill in-house general counsel positions to complete the executive management team. Privacy and intellectual property are also a good bet for anyone looking to join a firm in this area as firms are offering signing bonuses and relocation packages to attract the right talent to fill openings in increasing demand.
Leading Sacramento Law Firms
Among the most well-known law firms based in Sacramento are Downey Brand LLP, Bade and Hagedorn, Carter Law, HRW Law, and Cota Cole LLP.
Downey Brand LLP is a full-service law firm. The firm advises clients on matters such as construction, environmental law, employment law, antitrust, and family law. It has appeared in the "Best Law Firms" list for seven consecutive years, including a 2018 National Tier 1 ranking for litigation. Its attorneys have received numerous accolades, and the firm has five offices in California.
Bade and Hagedorn is a litigation firm specializing in real estate, land use, and environmental law. It was founded in 1980 and has remained a small firm to this day. It handles cases related to property rights, government reports, property management, banking, securities fraud, and litigation representing homeowners associations. The firm has won many high-profile lawsuits.
Carter Law is a minority-owned, women-owned business. According to the firm, its lawyers have a collective 30 years of experience handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases and other types of litigation.
HRW Law specializes in real estate and land use law. Its legal team has a wide array of experience, and its clients include developers, contractors, and various business entities. It has been in operation since 1971.
Cota Cole LLP has also been in business since 1971. It focuses on real estate and construction law.
Opportunities in Legal Employment
Legal employment opportunities in Sacramento vary widely, encompassing corporate law, criminal law, public interest law, and many other areas. Corporate lawyers in the area may be employed by large firms, in-house with local companies, or by private clients as solo practitioners. Criminal attorneys in Sacramento also work in a variety of settings and practice in a broad range of areas as well.
Those working in this field may represent individuals, corporations, or the government in a variety of criminal matters including misdemeanors, felony cases, and white collar cases. Public interest attorneys work for nonprofits or public interest groups and advocate for vulnerable populations such as low-income individuals and those unable to find employment due to mental illness or other issues. They typically support policy and advocacy efforts through community organizing, lobbying, and client counseling as well.
These positions can be found in government, public interest organizations, and the private sector. Law graduates also have the option of working abroad for non-governmental organizations or with international organizations in the United Nations or the European Union. Sacramento law firms have a high level of turnover, often hiring new associates on an annual basis. There are also opportunities to work as an arbitrator or mediator, at a non-profit, or as a law clerk or paralegal.
Networking within Sacramento’s Legal Community
Networking is a vital aspect of developing a legal career, and this is no less true in Sacramento than anywhere else. Both creating and maintaining a strong network of professional relationships with both current associates and local attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants, forms the backbone of developing a reputation that leads to better opportunities and career advancement.
For those new to the area, the two natural places to start are with the local Bar Association and Legal Professional Association. The Sacramento County Bar Association in particular is an excellent place to begin. They not only host many mixers and social events throughout the year, but they also publish several directories that allow you to connect with local attorneys of all types. Currently, their events include an Over the Hill 5K marathon, Bar Holiday Party, Summer Cocktails and Wines of the World, along with many more. This year will mark their 125th Anniversary, so you can expect many great events. Of course, their dedicated Events Committee is always welcoming of new members as well, and becoming active in this is a great way to forge long-lasting relationships with both peers and mentors.
Local legal conferences such as the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Forum, the Business Law Institute, and the Employment and Labor Law Institute provide great opportunities to meet associates in your field of law, as well as gather insights into developments in relevant legal fields. Many of these conferences can be attended at a discount with a Student ID, however in order to enjoy networking at these events, it is recommended that you participate in the main sessions over the "breaks" and "meals" offered.
There are other ways to forge connections with local legal professionals as well, that may not immediately seem apparent. For instance, taking part in ongoing education beneficial to your career path, such as research and writing programs through your local bar association or legal graduate school, can also have professional advantages. Participating in a legal scholarship program can be a shortcut to network with leading jurists in the area while gaining valuable experience in relevant research areas. Being active on MesotheliomaLawyersDirectory.com can also be beneficial, closing the usually wide gap between newer and seasoned lawyers by providing a platform for younger professionals to discuss cases relevant to their area of interest or specialization.
Education and Resources
For those aspiring to secure law jobs in Sacramento, an educational background in the field of law is essential. In California, all fields of law have specific licensing and educational requirements that must be completed within a certain period of time before one can practice. With many law firms offering counseling and legal representation services in multiple areas of law, law degrees and licenses are highly coveted by leading law firms. Sacramento not only has training for undergraduate and graduate level law programs but also continuing education programs for attorneys in need of additional certifications or expertise.
While most undergraduate programs take four years to complete, there are programs that offer concurrent undergraduate and graduate degrees that allow students to complete their degree in less than eight years. Sacramento law schools offer numerous opportunities for specialization , allowing students to lay the foundation for work in many different areas of the law. By the end of their training, graduates of law schools will not only have comprehensive expertise in the law but also have spent time working with clients as interns through the law school’s projects and programs.
Continuing education programs are available from multiple providers, including the American Bar Association. These programs often feature a wide variety of courses and certifications in topics such as tax law, family law, and elder care law, among others. Continuing legal education seminars are also available from other sources as well, including private attorney organizations and the Continuing Education of the Bar provided by UC Berkeley.
Compensation for Sacramento Law Jobs
It should be noted that salary ranges for law jobs can vary greatly based on a number of factors including the area of law, the level of experience and where the law firm is located. Here are the average salaries that some Sacramento legal professionals are currently making: A junior level attorney in downtown Sacramento can expect to earn anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000 at a mid-sized firm. Senior attorneys are currently making about $120,000. By comparison, attorneys licensed to practice laws in both California and Nevada make approximately $85,000 to $130,000 annually at a Sacramento law firm. Meanwhile, immigration lawyers working at non-profit agencies throughout Sacramento can currently expect to make anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000 yearly. Corporate attorneys with 10 years or more of law experience can command $200,000 salaries in private sector companies located in the heart of California’s capital city. Senior partners, who have been with a major downtown law firm for at least five years, currently pull in about $260,000 and upwards.
Future Directions and Impediments
The future of law jobs in Sacramento looks optimistic as the city continues to make great strides in establishing itself as a business and legal services hub. More businesses means more legal issues, and thus an increased need for legal representation and counsel in various sectors. According to the California Economic Development Department, a number of factors have contributed to Sacramento’s growing law firm sector – namely, populations migrating away from outlying areas of San Francisco, while at the same time a large number of lawyers are reaching retirement age – leading to an increased demand for new legal talent to fill the legal arena and support these growing businesses. While this is a good sign for job seekers, it is important to note that the increase in available positions will also see an increase in competition, and prospective candidates will be expected to put their best foot forward when applying for positions . From top new graduates to seasoned attorneys with years of experience under their belts, law firms in Sacramento have no shortage of highly-skilled candidates. By utilizing our broad network of legal professionals, recruiters can give applicants a well-deserved competitive edge. Technology and artificial intelligence are shaking up every industry across the globe, and the legal industry is no exception. Lawyer-jobs continue to change, as firms invest in hiring technology-focused support staff, such as paralegals and junior legal assistants, to better aid with research and administrative duties. This allows legal professionals to focus more on high-level responsibilities. While it may seem that this could put a damper on employment opportunities, it is important to remember that there will always be a strong need for creative and strategic legal minds to support law firms and their clients’ needs.