The Lay of the Land When It Comes to New Jersey Legal Positions
Thinking of exploring law jobs in New Jersey? How does the legal job market in the Garden State look? Pretty good. Certainly better than it was a few years ago, and showing signs of improvement from year to year. As the ninth largest U.S. state, New Jersey’s population is a little over 8.9 million people. That makes it one of the most populous states in the country and as such, the demand for legal services has continued to increase. Much of that has been fueled by the improving economy, more robust litigation, and an uptick in corporate growth and hiring. As a result, the market for legal talent in New Jersey is at its highest level since 2007 across all practice areas, including corporate/M&A, litigation, labor & employment, real estate and IP. Also, it is clear that the economy and legal marketplace are steadily improving. In New Jersey, you’ll continue to see a high concentration of governing bodies such as municipalities, counties and the state itself, which in turn will lead to an ongoing demand for lawyers to serve those entities in governmental affairs and public sector matters. The same is true for law firms that serve municipalities and counties throughout the state, including litigation and labor/employment practices that have increased substantially in the past two years . The majority of firms that operate in NJ are small to mid-sized and the competition for attorney jobs at those firms is increasing as candidates seek greater flexibility and quality of life considerations. As such, associate selection is placed at a premium and requires more patience. Corporate firms with offices in NJ are also on the rise as it relates to hiring and expansion. Many of these firms service companies located in NY/NJ and provide the same high-end transactional representation as these Am Law 100 firms. Typically, mid and small-size firms do not have the luxury of a large client base or firms coming into the area, but they work hard to attract and retain attorneys and make every effort to invest in the right talent for their firm. Coverage of the New Jersey legal market ranges from Pennsylvania to Long Island which means these firms will compete with others across the tri-state area. The addition of third-party arbitration appointments is driving an increase in demand for litigators who are experienced in appellate law. Some states are considering arbitration as a real alternative to civil litigation and New Jersey continues to show a growth in demand for qualified neutrals in that space. Based on these encouraging statistics, North Jersey shows more demand than South Jersey. NJ, like all other markets in the U.S. has changing dynamics that requires candidates to be nimble, experienced and knowledgeable about the market and current demands.
The Best Legal Career Opportunities in the Garden State
Currently, the most popular legal positions in the State of New Jersey are attorneys (in both NY and PA), paralegals, in-house attorneys, legal assistants and contract attorneys. From a paralegal perspective, there seems to be an increase in demand for corporate compliance and litigation administrators. We are also seeing an uphill trend in regards to corporate and commercial real estate administrators. The following is a list of job positions we see the legal market in New Jersey is requesting:
Attorneys:
- Staff Attorneys
- In-House Counsel
- Transactional Attorneys
- Labor and Employment Atttorneys
- Tax Attorneys
- Land Use Attorneys
- Environmental Attorneys
- Commerical Litigation Attorneys
- Litigation Attorneys
- Defense Attorneys
- Personal Injury Attorneys
- Intellectual Property Attorneys
Legal Support Staff:
- Paralegals, litigation and corporate transactions
- Legal Assistants, litigation and corporate transactions
- Contract Attorneys
- Compliance Officers
- Legal Administrators
- Legal Secretaries
- Case Managers/Investigators
- Legal Nurse Consultants
- Court Clerks
- Process Servers
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialists
- Paralegal Managers
- Legal Project Managers
Educational and Experience Requirements for Legal Positions
Educational attainment and entry qualifications in the New Jersey legal sector are in line with national trends. The growing competition in the field has been driving applicants in all positions to have relevant university qualifications, usually atleast a degree. The bar admission process in New Jersey is uncompromising; successful candidates are expected to show a proven commitment to the ethical practice of the law, good character and fitness for practice. To practice law in New Jersey, an attorney must be admitted to the bar and hold a license from the New Jersey Supreme Court. The procedures differ for those currently enrolled in law school, foreign lawyers (ie those who obtained a law degree outside the United States) and those who have already completed their law degree and taken the bar. Once the aforementioned criteria including character and fitness, is met, applicants will be approved and provided eligibility to take the New Jersey Bar Exam. Important exceptions exist for foreign lawyers and those with disabilities, for which separate provisions apply.
Legal Salaries: Earning Potential and Job Outlook
The salaries for legal professionals in the state of New Jersey show a wide range, influenced by an individual’s experience level, the demand for particular legal specialties, and the type of employer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2018, all lawyers and attorneys earned a median weekly salary of $1,811, or an annual salary of $94,152. This was higher than the national median of $1,775 per week or $92,000 per year for attorneys and lawyers. The annual mean wage for all lawyers and attorneys in NJ was $127,190, compared to $126,930 nationally.
In-house lawyers can expect significantly higher salaries. Little Falls-based Specialty Insurance Company pays its legal counsel approx. $200,000 with a potential bonus of $100,000. A major pharmaceutical company, which is the largest employer in Summit, NJ, pays its corporate counsel at least $280,000 , depending on the seniority of the individual and his or her tenure with the company.
The salary for paralegals in NJ who work for an attorney or law office is similar to the national average of $16.54 per hour. Salaries between NJ and the rest of the country for paralegals are similar at $55,000 annually. Some of the higher-paid paralegal positions in NJ include work at the Chester County Sheriff requiring bi-lingual (Spanish) communications for investigative services, earning $24-26 per hour.
Court reporters and stenographers who are NJ-based can expect an annual mean wage of $51,090 ($24.56 per hour), higher than the national average of $50,240 ($24.18 per hour). Legal secretaries can anticipate slightly higher salaries in NJ in general: $51,000 per year compared to the national average of around $46,000.
A newly hired clerk at a firm earns between $60,000 and $70,000 in NJ. After two years, the salary for an associate or a junior partner goes up by about fourteen percent. Currently in demand are target prosecution lawyers in Newark, with an annual mean income of $112,890.
Areas of Legal Practice and Expansion in New Jersey
The same factors that are driving the legal industry in New York to change its traditional stratification system, in which the largest firms hire the most desirable law school graduates, putting pressure on smaller firms to recruit equally talented lawyers to fill their ranks. So as those firms expand into New Jersey, they require workers there and in other areas of the state. As a result, the New Jersey legal market can expect to continue to shine over the next few years, and as a result the most sought after practice areas will be the ones that reflect the ongoing expansion of Fortune 500 companies in the Garden State. To that end, New Jersey law firms are especially looking for lawyers with expertise in environmental law, intellectual property and corporate law as well as entrepreneurs and businesses that are looking to grow into a more mature market themselves. While the economy looks to be slowly improving, the legal job market for New Jersey is in the process of rebounding much more quickly than it has over the past decade. As a result, industries such as healthcare, intellectual property, real estate and corporate law are continuing to grow faster than the legal market can supply educated workers to handle the higher case loads. This trend should ensure that it continues well into the future, as these industries create jobs that, in turn, create demand for legal services.
Networking, Referral, and Placement Resources for New Jersey Legal Professionals
Navigating the New Jersey legal job market requires a proactive approach and the right resources. Understanding where to look and how to network effectively can make a significant difference in your job search outcomes and career trajectory. With over 25,000 active members as of 2022, the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) is the largest voluntary state bar association in the united states, per its official site. It provides various professional development resources, such as continuing legal education and expansive job listings. Working alongside the NJSBA in the same vein are local bar associations in NJ, the youngest of which formed in the last year or two. The Gloucester County Bar Association (GCBA), formed in 2017, and the Cape May County Bar Association, formed in 2018, are the newest associations working to support and connect their members. To gain access to the most recent developments in the industry, both state and local bar associations list articles, videos, podcasts, and more on their websites. It is important to own your career as an attorney, especially in this challenging legal market. Commitment to your own development not only enhances your skills but also helps you make a name for yourself in the field. Participating in specialized conferences allows you to learn from the best , keeping you up to speed with new trends and demands in the industry. Often, you’ll meet industry leaders and form long-lasting networks that can lead to job opportunities. Some of these include conferences held by the NJSBA, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, the New Jersey Paralegal Association (NJPA), and the New Jersey Law Center. Attending events at these venues or even just subscribing to their newsletters is a great way to network, as you will often meet like-minded professionals in attendance at these events. You could also meet influential people who attend these events, such as judges and other lawyers. It goes without saying that legal job boards are the most straightforward way to find a job in New Jersey. A few good legal and law-related job boards to check out: Legal Counsel Careers, which is the official job board of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Lawjobs.com, PlanetLegal.com, and Legalstaff.com. With a little legwork, you can greatly enhance your chances of landing a promising position in the New Jersey legal market. Take the time to read relevant publications, join professional associations, visit a few industry events, and register with some of the primary job boards. As New Jersey is constantly evolving in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s critical that you take care of every opportunity you have access to.
