A steadily expanding technology industry, progressively growing banking sector, and the low cost of living have prompted Atlanta to become one of the most diverse and vibrant economic powerhouses in the United States. With so many companies and businesses spanning a wide array of industries, law firms have ample opportunities to serve clients in all facets of legal work from environmental, intellectual property, construction, regulatory, M&A, securities, litigation, and real estate. Perhaps this explains why being an attorney is currently considered the fastest-growing career that requires more than a bachelor’s degree in both metropolitan Atlanta and the entire state of Georgia. Fortunately, this implies there are countless opportunities for budding and seasoned attorneys to establish a fulfilling and exciting career in a cost-friendly environment, unlike in other cities such as New York and LA.

How Strong is the Legal Market in Atlanta, GA?

Atlanta has weathered economic storms and demonstrated an ability to attract and retain highly talented lawyers. Rising salaries further provides evidence of Atlanta’s skyrocketing legal market and also reflects its strength. For legal partners, the market has shown a consistent remuneration growth rising from $701,000 in 2018 to $850,000 in 2019.

Moreover, partners are not the only lawyers who have seen an increase in salaries. According to Bloomberg, some of the largest firms have significantly increased their starting salaries to between $155,000 and $180,000. These salary increases are proof that the legal market in Atlanta is one of the most lucrative and competitive in the country and is home to some of the top law firms in Georgia. Bottom of Form
 
What Are Atlanta’s Top Law Firms?


Although Atlanta is home to some of the best law firms in Georgia and the country as a whole, a few law firms have stood the test of time and immortalized themselves as the crème de la crème of the legal sector. These firms are some of the best in the country and offer the best remunerations in Atlanta. So, if you are looking for a firm where you can grow your career, here are 9 of the best law firms in Atlanta. You can look up other top law firms in Atlanta, GA, in this post.

Alston & Bird LLP
 

Alston & Bird is an international law firm with 12 offices throughout the US and over 800 lawyers. For the last 19 years, it has been ranked by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 best companies to work for. The firm offers a full range of legal services to both international and domestic clients. Over the years, it has worked with Starbucks, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Bank of America, and Amazon, making it one of the top law firms in Atlanta. Their core practices include complex litigation, intellectual property, corporate and tax, health care, public policy, and financial services, among others.

Holland & Knight
 

Holland & Knight is yet another international law firm with headquarters in Atlanta. It has 28 offices all over the US and over 1140 employees, making it one of the largest. According to the National Law Journal’s 2019 report, it is the 22^nd largest law firm in the US in terms of size. The firm specializes in several legal services, including, but not limited to, environmental, aviation, education, bankruptcy, health care, maritime, and securities law. Bottom of Form
 
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
 

With more than 1,000 attorneys and 20 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Hunton Andrews Kurth is not only one of the top law firms in Atlanta, but also the entire US. The firm serves a wide range of regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters in a full spectrum of industries such as real estate, financial services, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, mergers, acquisitions, and environmental issues.

Jones Day
 

Jones Day is an international law firm that has been ranked number one in the US for three consecutive years since 2016 by Acritas U.S. Law Firm Brand Index, making it one of the best law firms in Georgia. From its offices on five continents, the firm serves both international and domestic clients specializing in high-stakes litigation, cybersecurity, intellectual property rights, capital markets, regulatory compliance, and tax issues, among others.

McGuireWoods LLP
 

McGuire Woods is a full-service law firm, one of the best law firms in Atlanta that provides public and legal affairs solutions to individual, nonprofit, and corporate clients worldwide. The firm boasts over 1000 attorneys and 22 offices in the US and Europe and provides legal services to a wide range of industries. Some of their practice areas include antitrust & trade regulation, financial services litigation, energy law, environmental, government contracts, healthcare, labor & employment, and intellectual property.

Paul Hastings
 

Formerly known as Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, Paul Hastings is a top internal law firm in Georgia. An international law firm with 22 offices worldwide, it is also one of the leading firms in the US, providing a wide range of legal solutions to individual clients and fortune 500 companies. Some of the firm’s practice areas include Mergers and Acquisitions, Real Estate, Private Equity, Privacy and Cybersecurity, Real Estate Litigation, Securities Litigation, and Securities Enforcement, among several others.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
 

With 16 offices and over 900 attorneys, Seyfarth Shaw LLP offers litigation, transactional, and legal advisory services to clients in the US, Asia Pacific, EMEA, and Latin America. In 2019, it was ranked among the top 100 largest law firms in the US by The National Law Journal’s “NLJ 250”. It specializes in a wide range of industries offering legal services such as corporate counseling & governance, government relations & policy, government contracts, employee benefits, and executive & equity compensation, among several others.

Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP
 

This firm is a small local law firm in Atlanta with a team of around 30 lawyers. Its primary focus is business litigation, and despite its size has gained a fierce reputation in its willingness to represent clients on either side of a dispute–defendant or plaintiff.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Though there are several law firms in Atlanta, these are some of the best to kick start or advance your career. However, if you have not found a firm that interests you in this list, you can always look up our comprehensive catalog of all the law firms in Atlanta in this post.

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

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.