Leading New Jersey Law Firms Recruiting New Talent
Top law firms hiring in New Jersey time and again include: Lowenstein Sandler, Fox Rothschild, Saul Ewing, Archer & Greiner and Wilentz. These are the top Gun NJ law firms. As large as an AmLaw 100 firm can be and still be elite.
Lowenstein 400 attorneys with 12 offices, nine in the US. Rainbow of practice areas. Well known and well regarded in NJ. NJ law recruits love the culture, the salary and benefit package. Lots of their new hires are coming out of the AmLaw 1-10 in NYC and DC.
Fox Rothschild 900 attorneys with 23 offices, 10 in NJ/NY and four in the Delaware Valley, Boston and the District of Columbia. Great brand name and reputation in NJ. Attracting top talent from all over NJ, New York, Pennsylvania & Delaware. Fox pays well, well-known for their strong client base and fantastic culture. Promotion of junior and mid-level in the 5-6 and out of the chute often goes to the firm’s former summer associates.
Archer & Greiner 250 lawyers, 17 practices, full-service regional firm with offices in NJ, NY, PA, DE , FL and CA. Well know reputation along the 95 corridor. Enjoys distinguished history which includes being one of the oldest full-service law firms in the country. While they profess to be "big enough but not too big" they play in the big leagues and win against the largest national and international firms. Archer represents clients in a diverse range of industries and underscores their brand with the phrase, "Stronger than ever."
Saul Ewing 400 lawyers with offices in NJ, NY, PA, MD, DE and Washington DC. Specialized practices, particularly in the non-compete & trade secrets area. Similarly has a strong reputation in real estate, litigation, corporate, labor and employment, IP and family law. Growing more work in the field of health care. Their clients range from Fortune 500 companies to brand new startups.
Wilentz 170 lawyers with three main offices in NJ – Trenon, Woodbridge & Roseland. Low on the AmLaw 100 ranking but an old school "classic criminal defense and plaintiff ‘s side" firm. If you’re looking to do criminal defense or plaintiffs work what better place than a firm that is more like a family. They have developed a niche reputation among insurance defense firms that include tort and commercial matters.
Trending Practice Areas for Legal Positions in the Garden State
As we enter this new decade, these practices are on the rise and should be areas of focus for your job search:
Wills, Trusts and Estates (Probate)
Wills, trusts and estates continue to be a popular area of practice for attorneys. Why? For some, it is a simple matter or preparing the documents and simply signing them. But for others handling a complex estate or a trust litigation can be difficult. The practice deals with a sensitive area of the law that deals with how your assets are handled after your death.
Private and Commercial Real Estate
This is a robust area of the law because real estate transactions deal with documents and agreements that have a major impact on business, developers and individuals. This covers residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial properties. The market on commercial real estate continues its comeback as the economy improves.
Litigation / Litigation Support
This is an area that never seems to go out of style. The discovery process on large cases is massive and requires assistance to organize and prepare the information in a useful way. Litigation support associates handle all aspects of civil litigation, from pleadings to trials to appeals, as well as pre-trial and post-trial motions. They provide support as needed to legal departments and/or outside counsel. This is a great launching pad for both an attorney or a paralegal. Additionally, for those handling bankruptcy matters have a knowledge of litigation is a plus.
Family Law
The practice of Family law deals with marriage, divorce, child custody and parenting time, alimony, child support, equitable distribution, adoption, child placement, domestic violence, and name changes. Many family lawyers are not litigators and serve as mediators, advocates, collaborative law attorneys and settlement officers. This area of the law can be sensitive and have a significant emotional impact on those involved in the case.
Labor and Employment
Businesses of all shapes and sizes are involved in labor and employment law matters. These cases cover a range of issues including wages, compensation, employment discrimination/retaliation, sexual harassment, employee handbooks, reductions-in-force, drug testing and alternative dispute resolution. It is essential to understand the federal law that guides employment such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the National Labor Relations Act.
Legal Industry Salary Insights in New Jersey
New Jersey legal salaries vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including practice area, position, employer, and experience. Generally speaking, most law professionals will find that salaries are fairly competitive across the state—and in many cases, above average compared to similar positions in other states.
When it comes to hourly rates, a 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) survey showed that wages across New Jersey for all types of attorneys were between $69.84 and $74.45. Across the entire state, lawyers were making an average of $114,950, whereas in the United States as a whole, the average was $115,250.
Salaries varied widely by discipline, however, with a prevailing wage of $114,400 in the metropolitan area of Princeton, compared to $121,490 in Nassau County, New York. In the Newark area, the prevailing wage was $133,640, while lawyers practicing law in the Atlantic City area made $170,960 and those in the Trenton area made $179,250. In total, there were about 34,930 lawyers practicing in the state as of the 2018 BLS survey.
The BLS has estimated the median hourly wages for several different practice areas, all of which fall within the range stated above. Those are personal lawyer (median hourly wage of $72.77); corporate lawyer (median hourly wage of $70.51); family lawyer (median hourly wage of $71.16); tax lawyer (median hourly wage of $82.94); employment lawyer (median hourly wage of $71); and immigration lawyer (median hourly wage of $69.05).
Interestingly, the BLS reported that the highest-paying occupation in New Jersey in 2015 was for "Judges, magistrate judges and magistrates." Individuals in this occupation earned an astounding $204,560 per year on average.
Aside from the jurisdiction where the lawyer practices, the firm he or she works for has a major impact on the salary a lawyer may expect to earn. Private firms tend to pay the most, followed by the federal government and then large corporations. Smaller firms may pay an associate for an initial period of one to two years, but will then expect them to handle a book of business on their own.
Senior attorneys and partners at large firms or corporations can expect to earn the highest salaries. In some cases in New Jersey, partners at major firms might earn more than $260,000 per year on average.
Efficient Networking Strategies for Legal Job Aspirants
For many people, finding a job isn’t just about scouring the help wanted ads or scrolling through job postings all day on your phone. The fact remains that a vast majority of jobs, including legal jobs, are never publicly posted. It is often the case that an employee will mention to a colleague they need an associate or a paralegal, and that colleague recommends someone they know who is looking for work. This creates a snowball effect, where one person suggests another who then suggests another, and so on . One thing is clear: it’s really difficult to go on Google and find a comprehensive list of legal networking opportunities, where you will have a chance to meet people in the industry and potentially learn about an open law firm position or a firm that will be expanding soon. The following are some suggested networking opportunities to check out, where you can make invaluable contacts to help you land your next legal job. In addition to the above-mentioned strategies, there are other ways to network that are incredibly beneficial to those seeking employment in the legal field. One of the best is to volunteer your time, not only as a way to give back to your community, but as a way to meet others in your field who you can use as resources in your job search.
Interview Preparation for Legal Positions in New Jersey
The law job interview process takes time to get a handle on. You know that you need to do things like: rehearse answers, control nervousness and anxieties, get proper clothes, research the prospective employer, etc..
Rehearsing Answers
Let’s talk about the basics of law firm interviews first. You will be asked questions. Be prepared with good answers. Jot down the answers that pop into your head as you read questions presented below. You probably already know the majority of law firm interview questions, so just write down your previous answers. You might like some of these tips about rehearsing answers:
Researching the Employer
It is essential that you research the law firm and understand its work, reputation, etc., before you accept an interview. The interview is not only for the law firm to learn about you, but also for you to learn more about the law firm and see if you are really interested in working there. It would be great if you knew someone at the law firm, who could provide you with some insight. Be sure to dress professionally. You can’t look like you just walked off the street. Small stuff like this, will affect the mood of the interview. You don’t want the interviewer to feel as if he or she is wasting time or can’t begin to take you seriously. Researching the employer is crucial for every job interview.
Common Law Firm Interview Questions
Here are some common interview questions for both law students and experienced attorneys: Using common sense and some objectivity, it is obvious why these questions are presented to applicants. The purpose of the law school hiring process is very simple – and should be understood by any applicant. What is the law firm’s purpose? Answer: to make money. Who are they costumers? Answer: clients. So, through the information that is obtained during these meetings, the interviewer is trying to determine if you present yourself as likely to make good clients for the firm or if you present yourself as likely to be a "loser." Try to think the firm’s hiring process like an editor hiring a writer. The editor wants writers who have "it." That "it" factor is not easy to quantify, but so many people who apply don’t have it. It is the same with law firms – they are trying to avoid hiring people without the "it" factor and instead want to hire competent, professional candidates who have the potential to be successful. This is why "smarts" are so important in the screening process. Also, because the firm is a business, like any other business, they are going to be looking to hire people who seem like they will be "money makers" rather than those who seem that they will be "losers." The "losers" are those who cannot sell themselves, those who cannot speak well, those who do not seem to "get it," and those who do not have good people and management skills.
Making an Impression
It goes without saying that you should arrive on time for the interview. Nothing will make you look bad to a law firm then arriving late. You should also have researched well. Come to the interview less like an applicant and more like someone the firm would hire. Present yourself as the expert you are. Typically, you will be meeting with a gatekeeper to be given an on-screen test. Your paperwork and writing samples will be reviewed by this person. This person may decide whether the primary reviewer gets to meet with you or not. Be brief in your answers as a general rule. Do not carry on long monologues.
Staring into a person’s face across a desk is awkward – you may even feel awkward in the moment. Do you go to an interview hoping to feel awkward? Probably not – but there are ways to avoid this awkwardness. Some people lead awkward lives, so this shouldn’t surprise you. The purpose of the interview is to learn more about the job. You must also be asking questions. Some (like those mentioned above) are perfect – the law firm will really love the applicant who asks smart questions about the position. In contrast there is the candidate who likes to ask dumb questions – oh yes, you know the type. Sometimes a candidate asks a dumb question while thinking it is a great question. You have witnessed this in a dinner conversation when the person gets up to leave because he or she has been embarrassed by a stupid question. Use your common sense and logic and you will be much better prepared for the interview process.
Flex and Remote Work Openings in the New Jersey Legal Industry
While big firms and in-house companies often set strict standards for lawyer work hours and locations, legal candidates in New Jersey can also find remote and alternative work arrangements at midsize firms and boutique practices. More law firms are offering part-time or project equivalent positions that allow for a combination of on-site and remote work and flexible scheduling each week. Experienced attorneys who do not wish to transition from their current firms or in-house legal departments will find several opportunities for part-time placements. And many small- to mid-size firms are accommodating of remote interviews and hiring practices, recognizing the challenges of relocating.
New Jersey has a strong biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical devices industry, with research into and development of new drugs and methods of treatment occurring in labs in or near the state. Administrative and regulatory attorneys are common in this sector, since pharmaceutical and biotech companies must comply with administrative and regulatory requirements in order to market their products . Regulatory and Administrative Attorneys:
Attorneys in nonprofit and health laws are also in high demand, with several New Jersey law firms focusing on these sectors. Nonprofit organizations must comply with laws governing employment and revenues, and by establishing sound corporate governance practices, tax-exempt organizations can ensure they maintain their 501(c)(3) status. Health and nonprofit lawyers represent a rapidly growing field for firms in New Jersey, particularly as drug, tech and healthcare companies continue to expand operations in this region. Nonprofit attorneys:
Demand is exceptionally strong for family lawyers and litigators. Highly experienced litigators may find themselves in demand at midsize firms or within large firms or corporate America’s in-house legal departments. Family law and litigation attorneys specializing in a wide range of litigation specialties will continue to remain in demand. Family and Litigation Attorneys: