A Look at the New Jersey Legal Job Landscape
The legal job market in New Jersey has been steadily improving over the past few years, reflecting the state’s broad-based economic recovery. As businesses of all sizes continue to expand their operations in the Garden State, the demand for legal professionals has similarly increased in numerous sectors, including corporate law, litigation, compliance, intellectual property, and labor & employment. In the corporate sector, there is a high demand for attorneys with experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and real estate transactions. For law firms, there is also a strong need for associates who possess expertise in intellectual property rights such as trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
Similar to many jurisdictions around the country, New Jersey has seen the proliferation of in-house legal departments, which have grown exponentially in the last decade or so . As a result, there is a growing demand for seasoned in-house counsel with industry-specific expertise in a number of fields, such as technology, healthcare, and energy. In addition, Fortune 1000 companies seeking to establish a presence in New Jersey have hired in-house legal counsel to oversee their compliance and regulatory requirements.
New Jersey has also experienced growth in the area of litigation, with further increases expected over the coming years. Much of the growth has been fueled by a strong demand for litigators to represent clients in high-stakes commercial and business disputes. This demand for legal services in the litigation arena has spurred a hiring boom among both large and mid-sized New Jersey law firms. Experimentation in the professional services space has led to the hiring of project managers and other support staff to enhance the efficiency of firms and legal departments.
Most In-Demand Legal Positions in New Jersey
With the ever-evolving nature of legal practice, the demand for certain positions continues to change within the state of New Jersey. According to various surveys and reports, some of the most sought-after legal jobs in New Jersey in recent years include:
Corporations in New Jersey are always in need of skilled corporate attorneys who can manage legal compliance, provide expert advice on business law, and help with mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions. The high demand for this role is fueled by New Jersey’s diverse economy, with industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, technology, and real estate.
As businesses continue to grow, the need for skilled paralegals becomes increasingly evident. Throughout the state, law firms and corporations alike are seeking qualified paralegals who can assist with administrative tasks, legal research, and client interaction. Paralegals in New Jersey have an array of options across diverse sectors, from big law firms to government agencies and non-profits.
Legal assistants, while having a somewhat different role than paralegals, are similarly high in demand. These professionals help attorneys in several administrative and clerical tasks, organizing files, and ensuring that all legal documents are properly filed. Law firms and corporate legal departments throughout New Jersey are on the lookout for legal assistants who can contribute to the day-to-day operations of their practices.
While many consider public defenders to be "do-gooders," this role is far more nuanced. Public defenders play a critical role in ensuring that all individuals have access to an attorney, no matter their financial situation. Public defenders in New Jersey typically earn a competitive salary, making this role attractive to many. However, the job is met with challenges, such as the number of cases attorneys must round.
Criminal law is not only a well-known specialty but also a high-demand one. The state of New Jersey is seeing a significant uptick in criminal defense attorneys, but there’s still a substantial gap in supply and demand. This is especially true in larger cities like Newark and Jersey City, where the need for skilled criminal attorneys remains paramount.
The expanding field of environmental law is another area seeing increased hiring and demand. As businesses strive to meet state and federal environmental regulations, the demand for legal professionals who can navigate this complex regulatory environment continues to grow. From environmental consultants within law firms to in-house counsel, opportunities abound in this growing field as states nationwide push more stringent environmental policies.
Needed Skills and Experience
To embark on a successful career as a lawyer in the State of New Jersey, you will first need to earn a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or college and pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). You will then have to complete three years of law school and obtain a Juris Doctorate degree. After graduation, you will need to pass the bar exam for the state where you wish to practice. If you plan to work for a law firm or a corporation, you will most likely need to go through an extensive hiring process that will include several interviews and background checks. The most successful legal professionals in the state have demonstrable experience and can outline a variety of notable accomplishments. If you are interested in opportunities in corporate law, you may wish to select undergraduate coursework that emphasizes business, accounting, or finance. If you plan to specialize in criminal defense or personal injury, a background in psychology may be beneficial. The need for qualified lawyers is expected to grow over the next decade. Experienced professionals who have strong communication skills and networking contacts will be most sought after.
Key Employers and Firm Leaders
Employers depend on their staff to bring with them their experience, education, and qualifications. Leading law firms and employers look for the same thing from their candidates and this is why they hire staffing firms to help them find the best resource for their needs. These leading firms and employers are concentrated around the major cities but there are law firms and companies throughout New Jersey that seek the same caliber of candidates. Here are the leading law firms and companies in New Jersey: BakerHostetler: BakerHostetler stands tall when it comes to some of the best law firms in NJ. They have over 935 attorneys and 14 offices, serving both U.S. and non-U.S. companies. They provide strategic counsel in corporate, employment, intellectual property, litigation, private wealth, tax, and data privacy and security. Blank Rome: They are a top labor and employment practice in the nation. They strive to be a leading firm within the markets and industries they chose to serve and meet the needs of every client with the best legal services at the most efficient rates. Fox Rothschild: They have over 800 attorneys and more than 8 locations across the country. Fox Rothschild is ranked as one of the largest, most skilled law firms. They are skilled in core competencies: business and corporate; commercial litigation; and labor & employment. Gibbons P.C.: This law firm is nationally recognized and has a strong reputation throughout New Jersey. Gibbons P.C. combines the most experienced lawyers capable of representing clients in almost every area of practice. They have offices in Cherry Hill, New Brunswick, and Trenton. Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP: Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, and Davis, is composed of over 70 lawyers with offices located in West Orange, New Jersey, and New York. The New Jersey office is a full-service law firm with a broad spectrum of practice areas. Littler Mendelson P.C.: Littler’s team is dedicated to employment law. They provide exceptional and responsive client service. They are flexible and combine the skills of experienced business persons and lawyers to enhance problem-solving strategies. McCarter & English, LLP: McCarter & English is a law firm of around 380 lawyers. Their network has expanded through its 11 offices and locations around the U.S., UK, and Canada. The company aims to deliver powerful US capabilities in the frameworks of client relationships. Parker McCay: Parker McCay has a long-standing line of business and is recognized as one of the most successful full-service law firms. They explore business opportunities, and when it comes to getting the best outcomes for their clients, they develop risqu strategy, providing counsel that exceeds expectation.
Securing Legal Roles
The job search process is a critical aspect of the legal career journey. While New Jersey is home to many prestigious law firms and corporations, it is important to employ effective job search strategies to stand out in a competitive field. This section will examine the various avenues for finding legal job opportunities and offer tips for a successful job search.
Like many major markets, it is important to utilize online job boards. The majority of legal positions are now posted on job boards that are easily accessible and can be sorted by location and specialty. Not only does this save you time, it can also expand the number of opportunities within your geographic range.
However, it is important to not only limit your search to legal position postings. Many times, contract or part-time positions go unfilled and remain open for longer periods of time. This is because a hiring manager may feel that a part-time or contract position isn’t worth the trouble of posting on a job board when there is an attorney in their network who could be a tap-in candidate .
Leveraging your personal and professional networks is absolutely essential to uncovering a larger selection of opportunities. A friend or colleague may know of a law firm that is looking for an attorney to work on a permanent or contract basis. They may also be aware of a company that is seeking contractors and leveraging your connection for a referral may be very helpful to your job search.
This holds true for professional events like career fairs. A career fair is a fantastic way to learn about employment opportunities, but also a great opportunity to network. Even if you do not see your dream position, you can still form valuable connections that may benefit you in the future. Through a mutual connection, you may learn of opportunities that aren’t posted or even help a colleague secure their dream job.
Another avenue is a professional association. Networking organizations give you access to both job postings and mentors within your field. By building relationships within these organizations, you can learn of opportunities and provide critical support to your colleagues.
Opportunities for Growth
New Jersey provides a wealth of legal career advancement opportunities, for both new and experienced attorneys. The wide variety of law firms and legal institutions in the state allow for specialization in numerous areas of the law, with firms focusing on everything from family law to business litigation. The New Jersey State Bar Association provides a plethora of continuing education opportunities for attorneys seeking to further their knowledge in specific areas. Furthermore, the vast array of law schools setting up shop in New Jersey has allowed the legal industry to expand. These law schools help to build the next generation of attorneys and judges, and provide high-level post-graduate legal training, allowing for further specialization. While law school typically lays the groundwork for a few specific areas of the law, the expansive amount of continuing education courses provides room for great expansion. Law firms across the state include specialization in all area of law, including sophisticated fields like tax, venture capital, intellectual property, and securities law. These practice areas give experienced lawyers the opportunity to build extensive resumes.
The Intersection of Ethics and Career in New Jersey
Ethics play a critical role in the legal profession, particularly in New Jersey where the Supreme Court has adopted the New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) to govern the conduct of attorneys in the state. Gaining a strong understanding of these ethical rules not only helps lawyers maintain their professional integrity but also contributes to career advancement and client trust.
The New Jersey RPC outlines a number of key obligations for attorneys in the state. These obligations include the need to maintain client confidentiality, to avoid conflicts of interest, and to provide competent representation at all times. Interestingly, the RPC does not address how attorneys should handle situations where ethical duties conflict with their own self-interest; however, the New Jersey Supreme Court has interpreted Rule 1.7 of the RPC to require an attorney to abstain from representing a client whose interest is adverse to their own based on public policy concerns, even if the client consents to the conflict of interest.
One area of law where ethical obligations have received particular attention in recent years is family law . New Jersey practitioners, for example, must avoid discussing matters pertaining to the representation in public forums such as social media or on their blogs, as doing so would violate the duty to maintain client confidentiality and could have repercussions for the client’s case. According to the New Jersey State Bar Association Ethics Advisory Committee, attorneys who advertise their services in any way must exercise caution and sound discretion when dealing with clients and potential clients on the Internet.
Adhering to ethical rules is essential for job-seekers in the legal field. Employers in the state look for candidates who have a strong sense of professional ethics, as they cannot put their firm’s reputation in jeopardy. Outlining ethical commitments and examples of ethical dilemmas in past firms on your resume and in interviews may help to instill confidence in potential employers.
In conclusion, while the road to success in the legal field is not always a straight one, practicing ethics is a surefire method to earn accolades in one’s career. More and more, ethical concerns have come to dominate the news. Yet while there are always new ethical dilemmas to face, ethics in law continues to be a key concern in New Jersey and beyond.