Current Landscape of Legal Jobs in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a city on the rise, and the legal job market is no exception. It’s ranked in the top 10 fastest growing cities in the country, and the legal industry is benefitting from that growth. Law firms are expanding, and North Florida has long been known as the main hub for legal work in the state. Jacksonville, once seen as a sleepy Southern city, is now a major metropolitan area with a strong economy in collaboration with a high-quality lifestyle. The legal job market in Jacksonville, FL, is strong and ever-evolving, frequently adapting to new trends that arise in the economy . A 2017 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that between 2014 and 2019, the average annual wage for lawyers in Jacksonville increased by more than 5%, which is significantly higher than the national average of just 1%. This increase indicates the increasing demand for legal professionals in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. The trend is that the top employment sectors for lawyers in Jacksonville are Real Estate, which employs 44% of lawyers in the area, Other Professional legal services, which employs 19%, and General Practice, which employs 10%. Comprehensive benefits and quality of life amenities make Jacksonville a prime location for legal professional work.
Legal Employers with High Demand in Jacksonville
In enticing talent, Jacksonville has a number of top legal employers. The region’s largest law firms include Akerman White & Sherman, Bedell Dittmar DeVault Pillans & Hall, and Foley & Lardner. These firms offer a full range of legal services and are among the state’s BBTR 2017 Top 25 Firms.
In-house, legal departments are no longer the exclusive employer of choice. The legal industry has become incredibly competitive, and its inadequately addressed talent shortage only exacerbates the competition. Jacksonville Bay Street Corridor is welcoming some excellent new opportunities for associates and partners at the region’s law firms and corporations.
Corporations are increasingly appointing general counsels for in-house human resources as well as legal representation that may range from few attorneys to many. Among the largest corporations in the region hiring lawyers and paralegals either in-house or with its outside counsel include Fidelity National Financial, CSX Corporation, and EverBank.
Other in-house general counsel include the following employers: The City of Jacksonville is the largest legal employer among government entities. An additional noteworthy employer among the region’s public sector legal employers is JEA, an electric utility, and a municipal corporation with more than 88,000 customers. Other government entities in the area are the Duval County Tax Collector, St. Johns County Attorney, St. Johns River Water Management District, the State of Florida, and Clay County Government.
Most In-Demand Careers in the Legal Field
Among the most popular positions and by far the most in demand, are attorneys in multiple legal specialties. This includes attorneys who are litigation specialists in both small and large law firms, as well as corporate lawyers at Fortune 500 companies and other large organizations. Many of these positions require specific specialties, such as healthcare law, intellectual property law and information technology law. Attorneys who travel are also highly coveted, particularly those who are involved in securities work or international law.
Paralegals and legal assistants are two of the most popular legal job positions in Jacksonville. Legal administrative assistants perform various support tasks, such as legal research; docketing court dates; calendar management; filing briefs, motions and pleadings; transcribing recorded messages; organizing files; and preparing legal documents, among other tasks.
Paralegals are also highly coveted professionals in the legal field. They are also known as paralegals or legal secretaries. Their tasks include conducting research on relevant causes of action, supporting lawyers by preparing pleadings, motions and other legal documents; organizing files; and helping the attorney prep for meetings and communications. Paralegals are not licensed to dispense legal advice.
Other popular legal job positions in Jacksonville, FL, include legal secretaries, litigation assistants, litigation paralegals, contract administrators, legal transcriptionists, legal nurse consultants and commercial real estate paralegals. These positions are similar to paralegal and legal assistant work, but are generally more specialized in their legal casting, such as working in healthcare, corporate or litigation law firms.
Required Qualifications and Skills for Legal Positions
Most jobs posted in the area of law in Jacksonville require a bachelor’s degree, with some legal positions requiring advanced degrees in legal or previous work settings like paralegals or those in the legal field. Certification and professional licensure is usually required for traditional legal occupations with the most commonly required include Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or APRNs, Certified Public Accountant or CPAs, and various attorney licenses.
Employment law firms often require work experience as one of the top qualifications for aspiring candidates. A substantial amount of experience as a lawyer in the private sector is generally required to advance to senior or managerial ranking positions. Other legal support positions or jobs that require only a law enforcement background might only require high school diplomas.
A bachelor’s degree is necessary as an alternative for those who are seeking advancement beyond a basic paralegal position or legal assistant role. The graduate degree typically requires rigorous coursework in the study of law, including criminal justice, public law, or administrative law, among others.
Law schools usually require admission tests, and admissions requirements vary by state. In addition to an undergraduate degree, most legal employers will require four years of related supervisory experience.
Associations and Legal Networking Groups
Navigating the professional landscape in Jacksonville, FL requires a savvy legal professional to not try and go it alone. Leveraging professional associations and networks can help legal professionals stay abreast of important updates in the field, gain access to a wide range of potential referrals and continue their professional development in new directions.
The Jacksonville Bar Association is an excellent resource for local legal professionals, providing opportunities to network with other lawyers through a variety of programming. For example, the Bar’s networking events are a great way to meet other local legal professionals, as is their MLSC Gametime Wellness Executive Networking Social. As an added bonus, the bar often schedules events around guest speakers who deliver professional insight and commentary on the latest developments in the field.
The American Inn of Court® is another vital local network for legal professionals to consider. This organization takes an educational approach to developing the careers of local legal professionals through mentoring , skills training and networking opportunities. Regardless of the member’s focus or practice area, there’s likely to be an Inn that can help foster and develop that individual’s career.
There are numerous other ways to connect with other legal professionals in the surrounding area. The Southern Legal Counsel is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing legal services for low-income residents throughout Florida, and the attorneys they work with, like the team at Kell, Alterman & Runstein, LLP, are an excellent resource for networking opportunities.
Networking should always be a key component of a legal professional’s career development strategy, and Jacksonville has ample opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and professionals.
Job Search Strategies for the Legal Community in Jacksonville
Navigating the legal job market in Jacksonville can be daunting, but with the right strategies and local resources, you can maximize your chances of finding the perfect opportunity. First and foremost, online job portals are an essential tool for any job seeker. Websites like Indeed and LinkedIn not only list open positions but also allow you to research companies, network with current employees, and even apply directly. Be sure to use advanced search filters to target firms that align with your specific skills and career aspirations.
Beyond online tools, attending local career fairs can provide a wealth of networking opportunities and insider information about upcoming openings. Organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce often host networking events that can connect you directly to hiring managers and industry influencers. Don’t disregard the power of in-person appearances; a friendly handshake and a firm "hello" can go a long way in the tight-knit legal community.
Lastly, take advantage of local legal resources and service organizations. The Jacksonville Bar Association offers a range of professional and social networking opportunities exclusively for legal professionals in the area. These connections can lead to valuable job leads you might not discover online.
Legal Salary Ranges in the Area
Once you’ve completed your education, you’re on to the most important part and potentially the most challenging. This is your search for a first or new job in the legal field. By this point, you may feel like you know what you want to do and where you want to go. As you dive deeper into your search, one of the most critical aspects to consider for your potential career path is the average salary for that position in your ideal geographic location.
In Jacksonville, Florida, there are 6,123 total employed attorneys with an average base salary of $116,713 . The current range of salaries for legal professionals can break down as follows: Of course, this can vary significantly depending on your education, experience and what area of the field you decide to enter into, but these averages can give you a starting place when considering which segment of the industry suits you best. Once you’ve decided what you want to do, typically a recruiter or other hiring manager will ask you what salary and benefits package you require for employment. Capable of doing some market research to understand a general range for the job you seek, you can easily request what you need to be satisfied in a new position.
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