Connecticut’s Legal Job Market Profile
As is true in many industries, the legal job market is dense. Add to that the fact that market demand changes and evolves over time. Right now, marquee firms continue to hire heavily in Connecticut, with the regional and national offices expanding and committing to Connecticut. Despite the national economic downturn, Connecticut remains an attractive destination for major firms looking to expand. Small and midsize firms also responded to the unprecedented legal market in Connecticut by recruiting a large number of associates. Firms are keen to add lateral associates, who come with more specialized work experience and are more likely to be credentialed for other sections of the bar. As a result, there is little doubt the lateral market will continue to operate at full throttle, and there is no great attraction for big firms to hire large numbers of summer associates. Although there are still more opportunities in Connecticut for partners and senior associates , the demand for junior associates has recovered with significant velocity. Employers are currently looking nationally and locally for candidates with experience in: New England is the only U.S. region where increases in demand for associates is still ahead of 2008 levels. Connecticut is seeing an especially strong recovery. Even as industry demand has slowed nationwide, the demand for litigators here has remained robust. Real estate is another strong area in CT, which comes as no surprise given that the legal community there is close to neighboring New York City, which generates a huge amount of affluent real estate clients. The Connecticut legal market is increasingly regional; with much of its activity concentrated in Connecticut’s largest cities, Hartford and New Haven.
Law Firms Hiring Attorneys in Connecticut
Based on feedback from large firms and hiring managers – there are a number of firms in Connecticut that are stepping up hiring. Below are those firms, the type of positions they are hiring for and what they have been doing over the last few months to expand.
Murtha Cullina: Murtha Cullina added a Construction Law group a couple of years ago specializing in federal contracting and suretyship. They have steadily grown this group adding 6 partners and 4 associates in the past two years and they do not plan to stop there. This is an unusual market for a firm of their size to make such growth in one practice area, but it has been very successful and is a significant focus moving forward. With this in mind, they are open to talented construction lawyers inside or outside of the construction practice.
Robinson and Cole has been very busy of late and doing well. They announced 37 new attorneys who joined the firm in all four of its offices and its London office. An article on the firm’s website stated there are no plans to slow down hiring and senior management has asked practices to informally propose expansion candidates. In addition, Robinson and Cole is offering the benefit of additional time off (up to two additional weeks) to those associates in the first four years of practice who spend less than 50 hours in a work week outside of billable time.
Shipman & Goodwin has become more aggressive of late adding partners from big law firms and poaching an industry group from Locke Lord. It added two real estate partners in Stamford, and a tax partner (also in Stamford) in the fall of 2018.
BakerHostetler regularly adds intellectual property and patent candidates. Recently, the firm strengthened its Stamford office by adding a global cyber risk management group.
Hinckley Allen has been facing increasing demand for their labor and employment services, and both the Labor, Employment and Labor practice groups have grown significantly in recent years. Most recently, the firm has added partners Kelly Ziegler and Robert Watson, as well as a group of partners and associates from Bingham.
K&L Gates has also been busy in New York and Hartford in the past year with IP and Class Action litigation associates joining both offices. They have also added Europe based partners in their IP practice group and Data & Privacy Protection team.
Reed Smith has been active in Connecticut, adding trademark, commercial litigation and labor and employment attorneys to their Hartford office.
Lawyer Salaries in Connecticut
As with any profession, salary for Connecticut law jobs can vary considerably. Factors that may affect the numbers include the size of the firm, area of specialty and location. For example, a large Hartford-based firm specializing in litigation may expect a first-year associate to start at a salary above national average. The latest compensation survey available from the National Association of Legal Placement reports that in 2012, associates entering firms with 701 or more attorneys earned an average $160,000. The numbers tend to drop sharply among smaller, general practice firms. Associates entering an established Westport practice specializing in estate planning, for example, might start at around $65,000 to $90,000 per year, according to Kevin O’Keefe at LexBlog. Salaries here are lower than the national average by a considerable amount. Many of Connecticut’s law jobs, though, are found among government or educational institutions. As such, they are not – nor are they expected to be — well-compensated. According to data from PayScale.com: Lawyer salaries in Connecticut typically range from $63,559 to $172,486 annually.
Qualifications and Skills for CT Legal Jobs
In an increasingly competitive job market, candidates vying for law jobs in Connecticut must present a robust combination of educational qualifications, relevant experience, and the essential soft skills that define a successful legal professional. Typically, entry-level positions in law firms require a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school, which is generally obtained after a student completes a bachelor’s degree in their desired field of concentration. For those looking to sit for the Connecticut bar exam, a J.D. may be substituted for being an attorney in good standing in another state court or the United States Supreme Court for five years. A financial background or knowledge of financial securities can put a candidate ahead in specific practice groups such as trusts and estates, private client groups, and business law. Even though most positions will expect potential employees to hold a license to practice, other credentials are valuable. Specializations such as Master of Law (LL.M.) certification in taxation, intellectual property rights, and international laws can distinguish candidates and demonstrate their commitment to future career advancement. Boards of Specialization can also award certificates to recognize areas of concentrated expertise that can make candidates more attractive in niche fields. Experience is not limited to previous employment and can include volunteer legal activities, internships, clerkships, and externships. For instance, intern experience at the prosecutor’s office or public defender’s office can facilitate entry-level prosecuting and criminal defense positions. Similarly, clerking is vital in obtaining work with judges and can lead to more advanced positions at the state’s larger law firms. In addition to educational and experiential qualifications, law professionals at all levels benefit from a variety of soft skills, many of which can be demonstrated during the interview process. Legal candidates should convey strong analytical skills and the ability to make logical conclusions based on research and other information. Since legal jobs involve extensive writing, it is critical that candidates have well-developed verbal and written communication skills. Candidates must also have the interpersonal skills to get along well with clients and coworkers, while balancing the professionalism needed for interactions with judges, juries, and other legal professionals. Job seekers must also convey the ethics and integrity expected of attorneys and must have the ability to perform well under pressure and the willingness to adapt to changing work environments and deadlines. Strong academic achievements and other credentials and professional accomplishments are also beneficial. The combination of these factors will ensure that your application and professional qualifications are competitive and persuasive for law jobs throughout the state.
Emerging CT Legal Practice Areas
Emerging legal fields and specializations in Connecticut are also starting to create new opportunities. For instance, data privacy is becoming a key focus not only for corporations but also for law firms. Why? The 2018 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which brought a sea change in how the world’s top companies handle data, has been forcing businesses around the world to update their standards to meet the new requirements. This means that even small law firms need in-house counsel capable of advising them on GDPR compliance .
Other emerging areas in Connecticut law jobs include environmental law positions as well as healthcare law positions. Environmental law positions can be found at various government agencies across the state as well as at state law firms. These positions offer a good deal of opportunity. Much like data privacy, the digital nature of today’s health records means that law firms with an understanding of this highly specialized niche will be in demand.
Get and Stay Connected: Networking Tips
After you’ve secured a legal position in Connecticut, the next challenge is to continue expanding your career through networking and learning opportunities. Expanding your network of professional contacts can be just as important to your growth as your position. Often, your network can lead you right to some of the best opportunities that will help you achieve your career goals.
Take advantage of conferences and events held throughout Connecticut for lawyers and other legal professionals. Your local bar association is a good place to start with networking opportunities, but don’t dismiss business networking organizations for the legal community. Statewide events are great for meeting other professionals from across the state. Visit some of the smaller, more localized associations in your area for events closer to home, such as the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association or the New Haven County Bar Association. These groups often offer regular networking events and educational seminars that can help you get to know other legal professionals and grow in your career.
Mentors are vital to your success. Find someone with experience and success in the area of law you want to pursue and ask for their mentorship. You may be surprised at how receptive established professionals are to guiding you in your career, especially if you share a similar career focus. A good mentor should help you identify opportunities to gain experience and knowledge, including new professional opportunities, conferences, academic programs and legal seminars. Someone with good mentorship experience should also help you prepare for interviews and office etiquette that is specific to Connecticut law firms.
Never stop learning—take advantage of opportunities to learn on your own and from others. You can search for online courses from legal organizations or universities, participate in webinars that address issues you deal with in your job, and take advantage of cross-training opportunities if and when you have them in the office. Continuing education is also available in the form of seminars and conferences, so look for events that apply to your career goals and focus area. Finally, consider doing some research on your subject area in law, including scholarly articles and publications, and see if your local community college offers any courses that are applicable to your professional growth and goals in law.
Legal Job Resources in Connecticut
Several resources are available to Connecticut attorneys looking for job opportunities or to simply network. While some resources may not be free, others are worth the time it takes to create an account. The Connecticut Bar Association is a nonprofit organization that offers several resources to attorneys looking for jobs in Connecticut, including a job board with postings from local employers. Attorneys can visit the website regularly to view postings or sign up for alerts to be sent directly to them. The CBA also has a number of tools and tips for anyone searching for employment – everything from evaluating offers to interview tips. Additionally, the CBA publishes a Connecticut Directory of Lawyers and Law Firms, which can be a valuable resource for identifying potential job leads or networking contacts (note that this resource costs $25). The Connecticut Department of Labor has a job bank with around 8,000 listings for jobs across the state. While not all of the listings are for attorneys or even related to the legal profession, they are another resource for identifying openings as well as researching salaries and companies you may be interested in . Other resources statewide include the Career Center at the University of Connecticut School of Law, whose electronic job bank lists over 20 other job boards, many with postings specific to Connecticut. Additionally, the Mystic Valley Chapter of the Federal Bar Association provides a Jobs Bank for both employers and job seekers, focusing on the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) maintains a variety of databases with information on jobs, salaries and employers, plus a job bank with nationwide listings for those with and without experience. Sometimes there are targeted listings for Connecticut attorneys, and this is also a good resource to connect with recruiters who are working with employers in Connecticut. LawCrossing.com features a listing of many attorney jobs in Connecticut, generally classified by category and by practice area. Additionally, the website includes a plethora of articles and resources for job seekers.
