**How Houston Became a Legal Career Powerhouse**
A comprehensive review of the top law firms hiring in Houston, including seconded positions and special projects.
Houston, known as the Energy Capital of the World, is the fourth most populous city in the United States, boasting a thriving economy and a diverse job market. For legal professionals seeking employment in the Lone Star State, the city is an attractive option for many reasons. First, Houston’s economy has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing in the nation. The city has a strong job market with opportunities in various fields, including healthcare, aerospace, IT, and of course, energy. The growing population has created a steady demand for legal services in the areas of corporate law, healthcare law, and intellectual property law, just to name a few. Secondly, Houston is considered a hub for logistics and transportation, making it a popular location for logistics-based firms. The Port of Houston is the second largest in the nation, allowing it access to the world for trade possibilities. As Houston continues to grow, so does the need for legal counsel to navigate the complexities of transportation law . Thirdly, the city has a strong commitment to education and training for legal professionals. Many law firms in Houston offer training programs to develop their staff’s skills in their areas of expertise. Houston’s educational opportunities extend beyond the workplace, with the city housing several law schools and numerous legal organizations that support ongoing legal education. Finally, Houston’s cultural diversity and affordability are additional draws for legal professionals in search of employment. The cost of living in Houston is relatively low when compared to other major U.S. cities, allowing individuals and families to find affordable housing and enjoy a high quality of life while working at the top law firms. Additionally, the city’s diverse population makes for an inclusive and varied environment, where professionals from all walks of life can network and grow. In conclusion, for those legal professionals seeking employment, Houston offers a robust economy with a diverse range of job options in the legal field. Its commitment to education, coupled with an affordable cost of living and cultural diversity, make it an ideal location for legal professionals seeking new opportunities.
*Prominent Houston Law Firms Recruiting Now**
Currently, four particularly notable firms have taken it a step further by launching dedicated hiring campaigns aimed at bringing in qualified candidates to meet their specific needs. They are:
Vinson & Elkins: The Houston office of this major player has a clear focus on bolstering its teams in Energy and Intellectual Property, as well as Bankruptcy and Restructuring. With attorneys in five generations from World War II veterans to Generation Y, Vinson & Elkins is known for benefit programs that strengthen commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion.
Greenberg Traurig: Ranked the sixth largest on American Lawyer’s 2016 list of ‘America’s Largest Law Firms’, sufficient talent and experience have driven this firm’s history of pro bono and public service work, which includes assistance to the University of Puerto Rico Law School, University of Miami Law School, the Virginia State Bar Association and the Washington Supreme Court solely for the expansion of lending regulations.
Norton Rose Fulbright: This 125 year old corporate international powerhouse with 58 offices has become leading law firm based upon the strength of its Transaction and Regulatory Practice. Established in 2004, its Houston office is known for its aggressive hiring of high-profile associates.
Baker Botts: Like the city, this full-service firm, founded in 1743 in London, has evolved from its origins to offer a broad range of challenges. Hiring in Houston focuses equally on Energy, Corporate and Environmental departments. Recognized for community involvement, Baker Botts was awarded the Houston Bar Association’s John J. Healy Memorial Award for outstanding civic and charitable activities in 2012.
**Skills Firms Value in Houston Attorney Hires**
In our examination of the leading law firms in Houston, we have identified a number of key qualities that they seek in candidates. These include things like educational background and work experience. Law firms in Houston generally favor recent graduates from well known law schools, however, experienced candidates looking to lateral into new positions are also on their radar. Proven experience in certain practice areas is also valued, particularly for candidates seeking a lateral move.
Formal education is a central component of the hiring process, as is proof of success in the classroom. Leading candidates often demonstrate this through grades on the LSAT exam, which can be a clear indication of success in law school. Other common indicators include journal eligibility and/or law review experience.
Experience is of course another essential quality that law firms in Houston are concerned with when considering new hires. Candidates with esteemed legal internships and/or work experience are viewed favorably. Some candidates have also distinguished themselves by publishing legal articles while in law school.
Of course direct experience in the preferred practice area is a desired asset. Generally, desired areas of expertise include corporate law, litigation, intellectual property and labor and employment.
*Law Job Market Tips for Searching In Houston
As the top law firms make their buying decisions, it is important that you not only submit your resume to the right employer but also take a pro-active approach to help them find you. Networking is essential in the legal industry, and relying on law job boards, online lawyer recruiters and even Google searches alone to find a career opportunity is no longer sufficient.
Make your networking efforts effective by being as proactive as possible. Here is a quick checklist of things you can do today to ensure that you won’t miss that perfect opportunity tomorrow.
Let People Know What You Want: Update your LinkedIn profile. An easy way to beat the competition is to make yourself visible. Make sure that you include in your LinkedIn profile where you want to work, what your area of interest is, and what type of culture you fit best in. Use this powerful tool to tell people what you want and let them search for you when an opportunity arises.
Join Professional Organizations / Associations: One of the key benefits of an organization or association is that they provide networking opportunities. Members in these organizations are often interested in helping one another advance their careers. There are many types of professional organizations you can join, including legal practice groups, cultural, ethnic, and diversity groups, and local organizations and associations.
Use Your Current Network to Tap Into A New One: Ask your current personal and professional contacts if they know someone at a law firm you want to work for. Referrals from a trusted source go a long way in establishing your credibility among potential employers.
Build Relationships: Obtain business cards and connect with people you meet. Be sure to follow-up with them. Connect on LinkedIn and share interesting research or articles with them over time. Once you’ve established a connection, don’t be shy about asking if they would be willing to do an informational interview.
Make a Good First Impression: You only get one chance to make a first impression. Take the time to research top law firms in Houston. Review their website and check out popular sites like the ABA or Martindale-Hubbell. Familiarize yourself with their recent accomplishments, such as a recent award they’ve won. This will help you stand out from other candidates when you are offered an interview.
Follow-Up: As soon as you obtain a referral or an interview, send a thank you note. Send a typed card and be sure to hand sign it. Always send a thank you note after an interview within a day. Email is never appropriate after an interview.
**Latest Developments in Legal Employment Patterns in Houston**
In the wake of a pandemic that has changed the way we interact, both personally and professionally, the legal industry, like most others, has experienced a marked shift in its hiring practices. At the start of the 21 st century, "going into tech" was a saying attributed to individuals embarking on careers in coding and software development. Fast forward to 2021. While tech is still an industry some new law school graduates are looking to get into, the legal sector is now firmly entrenched with those who grew up immersed in technology and now wield more tools than ever — either from their previous careers or from their post-graduate studies.
Cybersecurity is a top priority; so much so that even in the throes of a historic pandemic, firms are dipping into their coffers to pay for new hires who specialize in the field. Remote work is allowing law firms to cast their nets wide to lure diverse candidates. An increase in collaboration drives the push for a hybrid model of full-time and remote workers.
Recent job postings in Houston on Lateral Link show an uptick in firms pushing for hires focused on cybersecurity. Even as jurisdictions began to shut down in March 2020, companies were not only on the lookout for malefactors, they were also re-evaluating their tech infrastructure to ensure they were protected from outside intrusion. There has been a sudden swell in COVID-related cyberattacks, and it is something customers are watching. Law firms with personal information on their clients (which is most firms!), are keenly aware that just one breach can be devastating, especially newsworthy events are usually accompanied by widespread litigation and some bad press.
For this reason, cybersecurity tends to be one of those areas where firms are willing to pay a premium for a lateral hire. Recent news reports indicate that a formerly stable segment of the Houston market that focused heavily on big oil and gas was decimated when global oil prices took a downturn several years ago. Lawyers with strong backgrounds in cybersecurity seem to be in demand by Houston law firms .
The first thing that might spring to mind when considering the offerings from today’s legal market is the high-profile move to remote work, but it would be a grave error to underestimate how significant remote work opportunities have become for many candidates. Outside of large markets, law firms tended to recruit and boast about the diversity of their partners rather than their associates. With the ability to recruit anywhere in the country, however, firms in markets that have historically been homogenous (like Houston) can now play to their strengths when it comes to recruiting.
Many firms are offering flexible remote work schedules, splitting work between home and the firm itself in a hybrid model. Post-pandemic, you may see firms recruit based on their location and then have a discussion with the hire about where (and how) the young lawyer will work.
As there is an increasing desire to find true diversity in the lateral moves of many firms in Houston, candidates may find that the ease with which they can apply to multiple firms may not necessarily be reciprocated when it comes to finding a firm in which they will fit. Firms are likely to have a specific persona in mind that they are seeking to fill. For example, a Houston firm with an established CSR footprint may be looking for a new associate with a strong practice in environmental law or one that has experience working with nonprofit organizations.
At the same time, however, in Houston, most firms appreciate and encourage client diversity as evidenced by the slew of firms that have signed the Mansfield Rule 4.0 and the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance Pledge. Thus, while they are looking for a specific type, they are also looking for diversity in those practices.
Candidates with a background in counseling or transactional law who are willing to seek opportunities where a person’s visible traits, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation may be less visible to prospective clients may enjoy recent improvements in the processes at the Houston firm they may be considering joining.
*Upcoming Houston Legal Career Fairs
For those looking to expand their industry contacts and find job openings, networking events and workshops are a tremendous asset. Legal Week Houston 2016, for instance, will be held from January 12 to 14 and is specifically designed for legal professionals, IT experts, powerful executives, and such private service providers as legal text processors. Right around the corner this past September was a career fair that was focused exclusively on those who have soared to the top of their profession or are interested in doing so. The two-day event, Leadership Conference & Job Fair, held on September 17 and 18, was able to connect first-rate talent with some pretty impressive employers. There are also events that include elements of both education and socializing. The Texas Minority Counsel Program, for example, takes place over three days (from October 21 to 23) and invites some of the best and brightest minds of Houston’s legal community to network with those who are looking for fresh talent. Ten different sponsors have been kind enough to support this meet-and-greet event and we hope that participants will garner positive results in their job seeking efforts.
**Advice for Houston New Grads Seeking An Attorney Role
Breaking into the Houston legal market can be a challenging endeavor for recent law school graduates and even for those already employed. It takes time to both make the right connections in the field and for the right opportunities to present themselves. Below, we discuss some things you can do to help boost your chances of success in the market.
Internships and clerkships are one of the best ways to stand out against a crowded field of candidates for hiring managers. If you have not had the opportunity to intern or clerk at a Houston firm during law school, do not lose hope. Consider reaching out to firms in the area and offering to work for free as an intern. This may seem like an unappealing or costly proposition, but it can pay off in the long run, particularly if they end up hiring you later on.
Networking is the name of the game both at school and later on when you’re out in the job market. Beyond making a great impression on your professors and employers through your grades or work performance , seek guidance from mentors who can help shape your career path. Find out if your school provides any organizations with active alumni chapters, as these are usually committed to helping students find work. You should also ask your professors whether they have professional contacts who may be able to assist you with getting hired.
Finally, even if you don’t have much experience, there are still ways to make a positive impression on potential employers. If approached with an arena that interests you, perform on a given assignment to the best of your ability. For example, the demands of litigation are often quite different than a number of areas of law. If you are interviewing for a litigation position, make sure you do all of the research you can about the demands of the job, as well as imparting this research to prospective employers in your interviews.
