As anyone would expect, the entertainment and media industries are the fastest growing sectors in LA. Consequently, ancillary needs for these sectors are triggering growth in other areas, such as the legal industry. According to a recently published report by CBRE, LA is ranked 2nd in the US in terms of lawyer population growth.

How Is the Legal Market in Los Angeles?

The latest CBRE report indicates that the legal sector grew by 12% between 2017 and 2019, 3% higher than the national average, and the trajectory should continue. Moreover, even though nationwide, law degree completion rates have dropped by 21.3%, Los Angeles experienced a 3.6% growth in the number of students who graduated with law degrees. Taking all this into consideration, we can see LA is a growing market for lawyers, both novices and seasoned ones. So, if you are thinking of establishing a legal career, it is time to act while demand remains strong.
 
What Are the Top Law Firms in Los Angeles?

In this post, we have highlighted 9 of the best law firms in Los Angeles to help you make an informed decision. To see more of the highest-rated law firms in Los Angeles, visit BCG Attorney Search's Best Law Firms ranking.
 

Cooley LLP

 

Cooley LLP is an international law firm headquartered in Palo Alto, California. It is particularly famous for its extensive experience in venture capital connections, financings, startups, marquee initial public offerings (IPOs), life sciences, and technology practices. However, it offers legal services and consultancy in several other areas such as intellectual property, employment, financial services, clean technology, real estate, retail, and aviation, among others. According to Law360, it is one of the most popular go-to firms in Silicon Valley. Also, Cooley LLP ranks as one of the top 50 largest firms in the entire world. 
 

DLA Piper

 

A multinational law firm with over 2000 employees and 40 offices across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, DLA Piper encompasses a full spectrum of practice areas. DLA Piper provides legal services in several areas, and the most notable include corporate crime, arbitration, banking, corporate finance, competition and trade, hospitality and leisure, employment, energy, insurance, government affairs, and intellectual property, among others. In terms of revenue, it ranks as the 3rd largest law firm in the US.
 

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

 

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is a multinational and one of the best law firms in Los Angeles. It is revered for its litigation practice, which saw it named the "Litigation Department of the Year" by The American Lawyer. In its 20 offices located in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Americas, and North America, the firm employs over 22,000 employees who offer legal services in a wide range of industries. Some of its most prominent services include insurance, labor, employment, antitrust, sports, and intellectual property.
 

Irell & Manella LLP

 

Established in 1941, Irell & Manella LLP is a full-service law firm with two offices in Newport Beach and Los Angeles, California. From these offices, the firm serves both international and local clients from a wide range of sectors, such as private and public companies, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions. It has approximately 500 employees who offer legal services in various practice areas such as appellate, art, professional liability defense, securities law, securities litigation, tax, corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, IP transactions, and litigation, among others.
 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

 

Kirkland & Ellis is arguably one of the best law firms in Los Angeles and the entire United States. In terms of lawyers, it is ranked as the seventh-largest in the US (2,307 in 2019), and third-largest by revenue (US$3.76 billion-2018). Thanks to its resources, the firm provides several legal and consultancy services in a wide array of practice areas. However, it is famous for white-collar criminal defense, intellectual property, tax, benefits, regulatory, planning law, restructuring, antitrust and competition, and corporate litigation.
 

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

 

This firm is one of America's largest and most successful technology and intellectual property law firms with offices across the world. It boasts a team of over 160 attorneys and other professionals specializing in intellectual property. With a strong emphasis on technology, it offers clients legal services and advisory in areas such as trademarks, copyrights, patents, unfair competition, rights of publicity, and trade secrets.
 

Latham & Watkins LLP

 

Latham & Watkins LLP is one of America's pioneering law firms, established in 1934. It boasts over 26,000 lawyers serving clients in the US, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.  Besides being one of the best law firms in Los Angeles, it is one of the highest-paying firms in the entire world. First-year law associates receive $190,000, but this can go up to $205,000 when including merit bonuses. Summer associates receive a similar salary, prorated over ten weeks, meaning a summer associate can earn up to $3,958 a week.
 

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

 

Manatt is one of the best multidisciplinary law firms in Los Angeles. Moreover, it is renowned for its quality legal and consultancy services. Deeply rooted in banking, the firm serves several industries such as finance, energy, real estate, consumer and retail products manufacturers, technology, media, and healthcare, among others. 
 

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

 

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is an international law firm with over 2,000 lawyers in 31 offices located in the Middle East, Asia, North America, and Europe. Currently, it is ranked as the 8th largest law firm in the US in terms of revenue, thanks to its mergers with other small firms. Its areas of practice are diverse, encompassing a broad spectrum, including investment management, energy, environmental, employment, labor, tax, real estate, and litigation, among others.

What's the Bottom Line?

With Los Angeles ranking as the second-best legal market in the country, there is no doubt that it is a fertile ground to put down roots. The high demand for lawyers in several industries creates abundant opportunities for the taking. Therefore, if you have set your eyes on LA, it's time to make a move.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.