Job search and lateral move coaches for lawyers
A job search coach helps with a lawyer job search from start to finish: choosing targets, sharpening the resume, preparing for interviews and weighing offers. A coach works on your goals across every route you use, including direct applications, your network and recruiters. This directory lists 55 coaches who name job search or lateral moves as a focus; 27 of them offer a free consultation, and published prices per session or hour run from $250 to $650.
The 55 coaches
Filter them by stage, format or state.
From public sources, A to Z
55 listings
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- Based in
- Portland, OR
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Susanne Aronowitz:
I have helped thousands of lawyers and other professionals achieve their goals.
Also helps with Career change, Leadership, Returning to law
Credentials and background: Law school career services experience.
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Big Law Coaches
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Big Law Coaches:
Tailored Career Coaching for Aspiring Attorneys
Also helps with New lawyers
-
Bruce Blackwell
Career Strategies Group
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Bruce Blackwell:
Bruce Blackwell, career coach for professionals, has spent 25+ years helping more than 2000 lawyers just like you switch into new careers that they love
Also helps with Career change
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Rachel Boufford
Your Next Law Job
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Rachel Boufford:
The accelerator gives lawyers a proven system to land the right next role, position their experience, and run a strategic job search
Also helps with In-house and GC
Credentials and background: JD. Big Law experience.
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Paul W. Boyer
GC Coaching LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- $70
- (Mock Interview)
Paul W. Boyer:
As an executive coach for attorneys, my mission is to help fellow lawyers navigate their careers and lives with purpose, power and performance.
Also helps with Career change, Leadership, Well-being
Credentials and background: JD, Coaching certification. In-house experience.
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Deborah Brown
D&B Consulting, Inc.
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Deborah Brown:
She specializes in executive coaching and leadership development, career management, and executive career transitions and outplacement.
Also helps with Leadership
Credentials and background: Coaching certification.
-
Bryce Legal
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Bryce Legal:
Shauna C. Bryce, Esq. is the founder and CEO of Bryce Legal, a comprehensive career services boutique exclusively for lawyers.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Partner track and 2 more
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Shauna C. Bryce
Bryce Legal
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Shauna C. Bryce:
Shauna Bryce is a lawyer coach, as well as former AmLaw 100 Chief Legal Talent Officer, AmLaw 100 / 200 attorney, and in-house counsel.
Also helps with Career change, Partner track, Leadership and 1 more
Credentials and background: JD, Coaching certification. Big Law experience, in-house experience and 1 more.
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Inna Buschell
Kivoon Coaching
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Inna Buschell:
Inna Buschell is a Certified Executive coach who works with executives, Lawyers, entrepreneurs, and high potential leaders
Also helps with Partner track, Leadership, Well-being
-
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Mo Chanmugham:
Reclaim your clarity, confidence, and conviction in yourself.
Also helps with Career change, Leadership
Credentials and background: JD, ICF ACC. In-house experience, legal recruiting experience and 1 more.
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McKenzie Cotter
The Legal Career Coach, LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
McKenzie Cotter:
I help legal professionals and law students gain clarity, confidence, and momentum in their careers.
Also helps with Career change, In-house and GC, New lawyers
Credentials and background: In-house experience.
-
Sarah Cottrell
Former Lawyer
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Sarah Cottrell:
I help lawyers who are considering leaving law explore alternative careers and identify the next right step for them.
Also helps with Career change
Credentials and background: ICF ACC, Coaching certification. Big Law experience.
-
Jill Lynch Cruz
JLC Consulting
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Jill Lynch Cruz:
Jill is an executive coach and career development consultant specializing in the career and talent development of attorneys in the legal profession.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Leadership and 3 more
Credentials and background: ICF PCC, CPC. Legal recruiting experience.
-
Kamilah Exum
Bryce Legal
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Kamilah Exum:
Her goal is to help lawyers achieve their career goals with ease - by digging deep to uncover hidden obstacles to success.
Also helps with Well-being, New lawyers, Lawyers of color and first-generation lawyers
Credentials and background: JD, ICF PCC, Coaching certification. Public interest experience.
-
- Based in
- Minneapolis, MN
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Roy S. Ginsburg:
My goal is to help lawyers become more successful and satisfied in their careers.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Firm owners
Credentials and background: JD. In-house experience.
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Yolanda Goettsch
Bryce Legal
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Yolanda Goettsch:
Yolanda helps senior leaders and rising executives take the next step.
Also helps with Business development, Partner track, Leadership and 1 more
Credentials and background: JD, Coaching certification. Big Law experience, in-house experience and 2 more.
-
- Based in
- South Orange Village, NJ
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- $250
- per session
Irina Gomelskaya:
I help lawyers live a joyful and purposeful life ignited by their passion to make a difference.
Also helps with Career change, In-house and GC, Well-being
Credentials and background: JD, ICF PCC.
-
Greiner Consulting Group
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Boston, MA
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Greiner Consulting Group:
Greiner Consulting moves attorneys forward.
Also helps with Career change, Business development
-
Niteesha Gupte
Bryce Legal
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Niteesha Gupte:
Niteesha helps equip lawyers with the tools to navigate their careers.
Also helps with Career change, In-house and GC, Well-being and 2 more
Credentials and background: JD, ICF ACC. Big Law experience, in-house experience and 1 more.
-
Amanda Dealy Haverstick
Writing Law Tutors LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Amanda Dealy Haverstick:
I help lawyers become better writers.
Also helps with Legal writing
Credentials and background: JD. Big Law experience.
-
Jessica L. Hernandez
Jessica L. Hernandez Coaching and Consulting
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Jessica L. Hernandez:
I partner with attorneys, executives and professionals to move beyond obstacles toward greater fulfillment.
Also helps with Career change, Leadership
Credentials and background: JD, ICF PCC, CPCC. Big Law experience, in-house experience and 2 more.
-
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Khara Kelsch:
Strategic legal career coaching for attorneys, leaders, & organizations
Also helps with Career change, Leadership, Well-being
Credentials and background: ICF PCC. Big Law experience.
-
Hannah K. Kiernan
Kiernan Consulting Group LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Hannah K. Kiernan:
Hannah is a certified executive leadership coach whose passion is helping people develop into the most successful professionals they can be.
Also helps with Business development, Leadership, In-house and GC
Credentials and background: JD, Coaching certification.
-
Linda E. Laufer
Laufer Career Strategies
- Based in
- Manhattan, NY
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Linda E. Laufer:
Laufer Career Strategies provides counseling on job search techniques and coaching on career development and management skills
Credentials and background: JD. Law firm professional development experience.
-
Law Career Center
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Law Career Center:
Law Career Center offers empathic + effective support with sophisticated career strategies.
Also helps with Career change, Leadership
-
Leave Law Behind
Coaching firm
- Based in
- San Francisco, CA
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- $300
- per session
Leave Law Behind:
We help unhappy attorneys find happiness by discovering alternative careers they love, are good at, find meaning & fulfillment within and that pays well.
Also helps with Career change, In-house and GC, Well-being
-
Jason Levin
Ready, Set, Launch, LLC
- Based in
- Washington, DC
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Jason Levin:
As a seasoned legal career and business development coach, Jason Levin has helped countless attorneys secure new opportunities and grow their practices.
Also helps with Business development, In-house and GC
-
Annie Little
JD Nation, LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Annie Little:
Attorney-turned-career coach helping lawyers find and land jobs they actually like.
Also helps with Career change, In-house and GC, ADHD
Credentials and background: JD, ICF PCC.
-
Amy Berenson Mallow
Talent Success, LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Amy Berenson Mallow:
Executive Coach for Lawyers and Legal Professionals and Talent Management Consultant
Also helps with Career change, Partner track, Leadership and 1 more
Credentials and background: JD, ICF ACC, CPC, Coaching certification. Big Law experience, government experience and 3 more.
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Kathy Morris
Under Advisement, Ltd.
- Based in
- Chicago, IL
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Kathy Morris: Also helps with Career change
Credentials and background: JD. Law school career services experience.
-
Jessica Mullery
Bryce Legal
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Jessica Mullery:
Jessica helps lawyers prepare for - and land - their next role.
Also helps with Career change, Partner track, Leadership and 1 more
Credentials and background: JD. Big Law experience, law school career services experience.
-
Charise Naifeh
Happy Law Mom
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Charise Naifeh:
I help Lawyer Moms find fulfilling careers, create flexible work arrangements, and develop the leadership skills needed to succeed
Also helps with Leadership, Women lawyers, Well-being
Credentials and background: JD. Big Law experience.
-
Catherine Nathan
Catherine Nathan Coaching for Lawyers LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Catherine Nathan:
Coach and Consultant for Lawyers
Also helps with Career change, Partner track, In-house and GC
Credentials and background: JD, Coaching certification. Big Law experience, legal recruiting experience.
-
Sheila Markin Nielsen
Nielsen Career Consulting
- Based in
- Chicago, IL
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Sheila Markin Nielsen:
Sheila specializes in executive coaching and career direction for lawyers and other business professionals.
Also helps with Business development, Leadership, New lawyers
Credentials and background: Government experience.
-
Novateur Partners
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Durham, NC
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Novateur Partners:
Executive coaching and leadership development for lawyers and corporate leaders.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Leadership
-
Sheryl Odentz
Progress in Work LLC
- Based in
- New York, NY
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Sheryl Odentz:
Progress in Work helps attorneys and other high-level professionals progress in work.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Partner track and 1 more
Credentials and background: Legal recruiting experience.
-
Swati Parikh
Swati Parikh Coaching
- Based in
- Brooklyn, NY
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Swati Parikh:
I am a career and leadership coach, and an expert on social justice and public sector career paths.
Also helps with Leadership
Credentials and background: Public interest experience.
-
Paxton Coaching & Consulting
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Paxton Coaching & Consulting:
Paxton Coaching & Consulting supports Lawyers, Executives & Coaches in their Leadership, Business Growth, and Career Management.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Leadership and 2 more
-
PracticePro
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Irvine, CA
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- $449
- per session
PracticePro:
PracticePro bridges the gap between legal education and legal practice
Also helps with Business development, Leadership, In-house and GC and 2 more
-
Matthew Queler
Bryce Legal
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Matthew Queler:
Matthew helps government lawyers in transition, whether to the private sector or other public service.
Also helps with Partner track, Leadership
Credentials and background: JD. Big Law experience, law firm partner experience and 1 more.
-
Anna Rappaport
Excelleration Coaching
- Based in
- Washington, DC
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Anna Rappaport:
I coach lawyers on business development, leadership and career strategy.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Partner track and 3 more
Credentials and background: JD.
-
Jared Redick
Bryce Legal
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Jared Redick: Also helps with Career change
Credentials and background: Legal recruiting experience.
-
Julie Caron Remer
Amicus Coaching
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Julie Caron Remer:
Partnering with law firms, in-house legal departments, and individual attorneys, I guide coachees in reaching their full potential.
Also helps with Business development, Partner track, Leadership and 2 more
Credentials and background: JD. Big Law experience.
-
Daniel Roberts
Coaching for Lawyers
- Based in
- Tucson, AZ
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Daniel Roberts:
I will help you achieve greater success in your law practice and legal career.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Partner track and 4 more
Credentials and background: JD, ICF PCC. Law firm partner experience.
-
Jonathon Roth
Berry Hill Consultants, LLC
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Jonathon Roth:
We help lawyers and law students pursue in-house roles with clear strategy, résumé/LinkedIn optimization, and interview preparation.
Also helps with In-house and GC, New lawyers
Credentials and background: JD. Big Law experience.
-
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Lauren Ruvo:
I am dedicated to empowering legal professionals and aspiring attorneys in their career journeys.
Also helps with Career change, Well-being, Legal writing
Credentials and background: JD.
-
Stephen Seckler
Seckler Attorney Coaching
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Stephen Seckler:
I am an attorney career coach, business development coach, and leadership coach
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Partner track and 3 more
Credentials and background: Legal recruiting experience.
-
See Clear
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
See Clear:
We coach you to help you achieve the change you’re aiming for
Also helps with Leadership, Well-being
-
Successful Career Strategies
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Beverly Hills, CA
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Successful Career Strategies:
Career coaching for lawyers by lawyers.
Also helps with Career change, In-house and GC, Firm owners
-
Marianne Talbot
Lawyer BFF
- Based in
- Alexandria, VA
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Not confirmed
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Marianne Talbot:
My Mission: Helping lawyers create careers & lives they love.
Also helps with Career change, Business development, Leadership
-
Kenny Tatum
Bar Advantage, LLC
- Based in
- Atlanta, GA
- Meets clients
- Virtual
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- $650
- per session
Kenny Tatum:
I offer career coaching for experienced attorneys who want options beyond firm life.
Also helps with Career change, In-house and GC
Credentials and background: Big Law experience, legal recruiting experience and 1 more.
-
Total Talent Design
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Total Talent Design:
Our team offers bespoke solutions to companies and firms looking to engage and retain their talent.
-
VIM Executive Coaching
Coaching firm
- Based in
- Denver, CO
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
VIM Executive Coaching:
VIM offers personalized executive and business coaching, along with team coaching
Also helps with Business development, Partner track, Leadership and 1 more
-
Carroll Welch
Carroll Welch Consulting
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Virtual and in person
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Carroll Welch:
Carroll is an executive, career and leadership coach who has helped hundreds of professionals in transitioning, relaunching or advancing in their careers.
Also helps with Career change, Leadership, Returning to law
Credentials and background: JD, ICF PCC, Coaching certification. Law school career services experience.
-
Ann Woodley
Law Career Coaching
- Based in
- Not confirmed
- Meets clients
- Not confirmed
- Free consult
- Offered
- Published price
- Not confirmed
Ann Woodley:
I am a lawyer, a long-time law professor, and a certified professional coach who has taught and mentored thousands of students.
Also helps with Career change, Well-being, New lawyers
Credentials and background: JD, Coaching certification. Big Law experience, government experience.
That is every coach who lists job search and lateral moves, in the order above. Verified listings come first, then everyone else from A to Z by surname. No coach pays to be listed or to rank. Browse all 198 coaches.
Know a coach who works with lawyers and is not listed? Coaches can ask to be added on the For coaches page.
Planning a move to another law firm?
Voll Recruiting, a legal recruiting firm owned by The Voll Group, which runs this site, helps lawyers make lateral moves between law firms. A coach can help you decide what you want next; a recruiter works on getting you in front of specific firms.
Job search coaching at a glance
5 of the 55 show a published price. A session or hour costs $250 to $650, with a median of $300.
The numbers
- Coaches listed
- 55
- Verified by the coach
- 0
- Work with partners
- 22
- Work with associates
- 18
- Meet by video or phone
- 24
- Meet in person
- 9
- Offer a free consultation
- 27
- Show a published price
- 5
- Session or hour
- $250 to $650
- Median session or hour
- $300
- Have legal recruiting experience
- 8
Computed from the listings on October 16, 2026.
Who it is for
- Associates and partners planning a lateral move to another firm.
- Lawyers moving from a firm to a company, government or public interest job. For moves in house, see coaches for in-house counsel.
- Lawyers searching after a layoff, a deferral or a hard review.
- Lawyers changing practice areas or cities.
- Law students and new lawyers looking for a first job. See coaches who work with law students and new associates.
By career stage
- Partners 22 coaches who work with partners
- Associates 18 coaches who work with associates
- In-house lawyers 17 coaches who work with in-house lawyers
- Law students 12 coaches who work with law students
- General counsel 9 coaches who work with general counsel
- Government lawyers 8 coaches who work with government lawyers
- Law firm owners 4 coaches who work with law firm owners
When to hire one
- Before you send applications, to choose targets and tighten your story.
- When your attorney resume or deal list is not getting interviews. Ask whether the coach reviews legal resumes.
- When interviews keep stalling.
- When you have an offer to weigh or negotiate.
- After a layoff or a bad review, when you need a plan and a way to explain it.
What the job market looks like
Most new law graduates find attorney jobs: NALP found that 84.6% [1] of new law graduates had jobs that require bar admission, and 92.8% [2] had a job of any kind, when it measured their outcomes on March 16, 2026 [3]. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 28,700 [4] openings for lawyers each year, on average, over the decade, and 52% [5] of lawyer jobs are in legal services such as law firms. Lateral moves are a normal part of law firm careers: in the NALP Foundation’s attrition survey of 141 firms [6], lateral associate hires (3,296 [7]) outnumbered entry-level hires (3,039 [8]).
Coach or recruiter?
A legal recruiter is usually paid by the firm that hires you, so a recruiter’s work centers on placing you at specific firms. A coach is paid by you or your employer, helps you decide what you want, and prepares you for every route. You can use both. Our guide Career coach or legal recruiter? compares them in detail, and what you can do with a law degree covers the jobs beyond law firms.
Before you hire, compare the coach’s background, format and published prices on each profile, and see what a lawyer coach costs.
What job search coaches charge
Prices that coaches in this specialty publish on their own websites. Each dot is one coach; the shaded band holds the middle half of the prices.
Per session or hour
4 listings show one
| Measure | Per session or hour |
|---|---|
| Listings that show one | 4 |
| Lowest | $250 |
| 25th percentile | $250 |
| Median | $300 |
| 75th percentile | $449 |
| Highest | $650 |
50 of the 55 listings in this specialty show no published price, so ask on a first call. What a lawyer coach costs covers every specialty.
Questions about job search coaching
Is it hard to get a job as a lawyer?
Most new graduates find one. NALP found that 84.6% [1] of new law graduates had attorney jobs, meaning jobs that require bar admission, and 92.8% [2] had a job of any kind when it measured their outcomes on March 16, 2026 [3]. For experienced lawyers it depends on practice area, city and record. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 28,700 [4] openings for lawyers each year, on average, over the decade.
What kind of jobs can you get as a lawyer?
About half of lawyer jobs, 52% [5], are in legal services such as law firms, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other lawyers work for themselves, for companies, for government, for courts, for public interest groups and for law schools. A law degree also leads to JD advantage jobs that do not require a law license, such as contracts, regulatory and compliance roles.
How do you lateral to another law firm?
Decide what the move should fix: practice, pay, hours, platform or path to partner. Build a list of target firms and choose for each one whether to apply directly, through someone you know there or through a legal recruiter. Have your resume, a deal or case list, your law school transcript and, for litigators, a writing sample ready. Partners also prepare a business plan and a list of the clients and matters they expect to bring, which feeds the conflicts check. Expect several interviews, a conflicts check and an offer. At firms that pay associates by class year, the usual terms to negotiate are class-year credit, start date and bonus.
Can I lateral without a recruiter?
Yes. You can apply through a firm’s website or through a lawyer you know there. If you also work with a recruiter, agree in writing which firms each route covers, so no firm receives your name twice.
Should I hire an interview coach?
It helps most when interviews are the step where you stall. Ask for mock interviews built on your own deals or cases, not a script. Your law school’s career office may also prepare you at no cost.
Sources
- 1
The percentage of graduates securing jobs for which bar admission is required or anticipated (i.e., attorney positions) improved by 0.3 percentage point to 84.6%, the highest level recorded since NALP introduced the current job classifications in 2001.
nalp.org/uploads/PressReleases/Classof2025SelectedFindings_PressRelease.pdf NALP, retrieved October 14, 2026 - 2
The overall employment rate for the Class of 2025 was 92.8%, down 0.6 percentage point from the Class of 2024's record high of 93.4%.
nalp.org/uploads/PressReleases/Classof2025SelectedFindings_PressRelease.pdf NALP, retrieved October 14, 2026 - 3
NALP measured employment and salary information for the Class of 2025 as of March 16, 2026
nalp.org/uploads/PressReleases/Classof2025SelectedFindings_PressRelease.pdf NALP, retrieved October 14, 2026 - 4
About 28,700 openings for lawyers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, retrieved October 14, 2026 - 5
Some of the largest employers of lawyers were as follows: Legal services 52% Self-employed workers 11
bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, retrieved October 14, 2026 - 6
The 2025 data from 141 participating firms in the U.S. and Canada, detailing 6,335 associate hires and 4,442 associate departures, revealed both ongoing trends and notable shifts
nalpfoundation.org/news/the-nalp-foundation-releases-latest-update-on-associate-attrition-and-hiring-(cy-25) NALP Foundation, retrieved October 14, 2026 - 7
In contrast to last year, the total number of lateral hires (3,296) exceeded entry-level hires (3,039) in 2025, reverting to norms for the prior years.
nalpfoundation.org/news/the-nalp-foundation-releases-latest-update-on-associate-attrition-and-hiring-(cy-25) NALP Foundation, retrieved October 14, 2026 - 8
In contrast to last year, the total number of lateral hires (3,296) exceeded entry-level hires (3,039) in 2025, reverting to norms for the prior years.
nalpfoundation.org/news/the-nalp-foundation-releases-latest-update-on-associate-attrition-and-hiring-(cy-25) NALP Foundation, retrieved October 14, 2026
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