Jobs for legal professionals in Houston
The fourth largest, and one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., Houston boasts a healthy economy that adds security and stability to professionals in the legal sector. The Greater Houston Partnership claims that Houston maintains "the nation’s 2nd lowest unemployment rate" and concludes a recent press release by making a strong case for legal professionals as well as anyone else seeking employment opportunities in the area: "Houston has regained all jobs lost during the recession, and will continue to see significant job growth in the years ahead."
The metropolitan area currently faces a high demand for attorneys, and a number of law firms and recruiters have a constant influx of available job opportunities for skilled, educated legal professionals. Additionally, almost half of the city’s 2.2 million professionals have earned a BA, and many hold either a J.D. or another advanced degree. This means there’s plenty of competition for legal roles in Houston, and we hope this strong pool of qualified candidates helps to drive down salaries so that they can become more competitive with other large markets.
Houston is home to over 1,000 private law firms of all sizes, 15,000 attorneys, over 200 private law schools, and eight law schools. Some large, well-known firms in the area such as Vinson & Elkins and Baker Botts have landed spots on Vault’s annual list of Top 100 U.S. Law Firms .
Houston is also home to many international law firms, including King and Spalding, Sidley Austin, Greenberg Traurig, and Reed Smith, all of which have offices in the area. Total legal jobs for both litigation and corporate attorneys have been increasing, and foreign nationals looking to practice law here can apply for an H-1B visa after obtaining employment with a Houston-based firm.
If job opportunities make Houston appealing to you, check out more about the city below:
Location: Southeastern Texas and the United States Gulf Coast
Region: Gulf Coast
Population: More than 2.3 million people make Houston the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States
Major Industries: Energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation, technology, natural gas, finance, marketing, insurance
Cost of Living: HOU is relatively low compared to similar cities
Transportation: HOU has a state-of-the-art public transit system that includes buses and light rail, and some of the lowest gas prices in the country
Education: Houston is home to a number of prestigious universities, including Rice University, the second-best university in Texas, and the most affordable college in the U.S., the University of Houston, a top 50 research university
Entertainment: Big-city offerings without the excessive hustle and bustle; home to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Houston Texans Football; the Houston Theatre District is home to the second-largest concentration of theater seats in the U.S.
Types of legal specialties in Houston
The legal landscape in Houston is as diverse as the city itself. In this section, we’ll explore the top legal specializations in Houston, highlighting the most sought-after fields of practice and the high-paying legal jobs that come with them.
One of the most lucrative legal specializations in Houston is corporate law. With the city standing as a significant financial and business hub, attorneys specializing in corporate law are in high demand. These professionals negotiate contracts, handle mergers and acquisitions, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Houston’s status as an epicenter for international business, particularly in the energy sector, further magnifies the importance of corporate lawyers. Corporations willing to expand their reach beyond Houston often rely on corporate lawyers with international experience to navigate complex trade laws.
Another highly sought-after specialization is energy law. Over 20% of Houston’s workforce directly or indirectly supports the energy industry, creating a robust need for legal professionals who understand the inner workings of this sector. Attorneys specializing in energy law advise clients on energy-related agreements, protect their clients’ intellectual property, and help navigate the legal landscape surrounding the energy and resource economy. Given that Houston is home to some of the country’s largest oil and gas companies, legal professionals in this field can command some of the highest salaries among all specializations.
A growing and equally lucrative field in Houston is healthcare law. As one of the largest employers in the city, the healthcare sector contributes significantly to Houston’s economy. Healthcare lawyers are critical in this field, as they navigate the complexities of healthcare laws, represent clients in medical malpractice cases, and negotiate agreements between healthcare providers and patients. Furthermore, with the rise of telemedicine and digital health records, healthcare attorneys with knowledge of technology also bring a much-needed specialization to the legal market.
Other noteworthy specializations include tax law, intellectual property law, and real estate law. Each of these legal fields offers unique challenges and opportunities for growth.
Major legal employers in Houston
As you consider the types of legal positions and roles available in Houston, it is helpful to look at the major legal employers in the city. There are a host of corporations and law firms in similar industries that represent the leading legal employers in the Houston area.
Leading corporations that employ legal professionals include industries such as:
• Oil & Gas
• Aerospace
• Hospitality
• Finance & Accounting
• Chemicals
• Technology
• Telecommunications
• Shipping
• Real Estate
Major law firms in the Houston area: Established law firms are some of the leading legal employers in the city. In Houston, you will find major law firms focusing on key fields of law and the city is home to a number of mid-size law firms.
Major law firms are generally large firms with a deep bench of attorneys that offer a range of service including strategic and practical solutions in these fields of law:
• Energy, Oil & Gas
• Communications
• IT
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Regulatory
• Commercial Litigation
• Real Estate
Mid-size law firms also provide legal services in a number of practice areas:
• State & Federal Courts
• Tribal Law
• Administrative Proceedings
• Criminal Law
• Appellate Law
Mid-size law firms typically carry out their operations at one office site that services a specific geolocation. Success at these law firms requires an understanding of clients and their business needs from the outset of a case.
Required qualifications for legal jobs
The qualifications for Houston legal jobs vary by position. Most legal support positions require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. An associate’s degree is required for positions such as paralegals and legal assistants, while a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Typically in-house legal positions require a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and many require a Juris Doctor degree, with experience also preferred. Legal clerks usually hold a Juris Doctor. Individuals in need of a lawyer to assist in a case must hold a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and have passed the bar exam in their state. The duties of a judge require a law degree, experience as a lawyer, and appointment or election as judge.
Networking for lawyers
Houston’s legal community is well-connected, with networking opportunities found at every turn. The Houston Bar Association and the state bar maintain a calendar of events that features gatherings designed to connect lawyers and legal professionals with peers, potential clients, and community leaders. In addition, the Houston Bar Association’s monthly networking breakfast brings in hundreds of lawyers for legal-themed presentations. The Asian American Bar Association of Houston is similarly focused on bringing lawyers together, offering a number of networking programs in addition to those through the local and state bar associations . The annual State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, held in June, draws more than 10,000 legal professionals to Dallas, where they gather not just for networking events but also in the exhibition hall and lecture halls.
Houston has numerous bar and professional associations with strong networking components to their programs, numerous service projects and philanthropic initiatives designed to bring lawyers and community organizations together, and a strong commitment to outreach and development among minority and women lawyers. The Hispanic Bar Association of Houston, for instance, not only offers a number of opportunities for socializing and networking, but also a full calendar of programs that focus on advocacy, education, and mentoring of students and young lawyers.
Houston legal job salaries and benefits
Professionals in the field of law and legal services for companies, firms, and industries, as with many careers, receive salaries and benefits from their employers. In greater metropolitan areas, such as Houston, salaries are substantially higher than the national average. In fact, some legal jobs in Houston pay up to 18% more, which typically comes in the form of relocation bonuses and other incentives. Salaries and benefits vary depending on each position, skill set, and level of expertise. Below is a list of some of the currently available positions, with the average salary, bonus and benefits:
Corporate Counsel (5+ years) – $144,000 base salary, with an average annual bonus of $26,625 and an average yearly compensation package of $146,175.
Paralegal II (3-5 years) – $51,200 base salary with an annual bonus of $1,800 and average yearly compensation package of $58,600.
Compliance Officer – $81,200 base salary with an annual bonus of $9,600 and average yearly compensation package of $83,385.
Attorney (Land Development) (1-3 years) – $85,000 base salary with an annual bonus of $10,000 and average yearly compensation package of $70,000.
Paralegal III (7-10 years) – $60,300 base salary with an annual bonus of $3,600 and average yearly compensation package of $66,400.
Paralegal Specialist (5+ years) – $65,000 base salary with an annual bonus of $4,000 and average yearly compensation package of $66,400.
Paralegal IV (11+ years), Litigation – $120,000 base salary with an annual bonus of $12,000 and average yearly compensation package of $125,350.
Paralegal – $50,000 base salary with an annual bonus of $5,000 and average yearly compensation package of $47,500.
Attorney, 23rd – 26th year – $138,000 base salary with an annual bonus of $5,000 and average yearly compensation package of $156,500.
Paralegal (Bilingual) – $80,000 base salary with an annual bonus of $10,000 and average yearly compensation package of $76,800.
Legal Assistant – $47,500 base salary with an annual bonus of $2,500 and average yearly compensation package of $45,700.
Landing a legal job in Houston
The Type of Firm: Texas boasts many different "categories" of law firms.
The Solo or Small Firm – as the name suggests, smaller than 20 lawyers. These firms may offer a greater deal of control…for better or for worse…the ability to change the way you practice law, and how you interact with your clients, and offer the opportunity to take greater responsibility.
The Regional, Mid-Size or Community Firm – these firms typically have between 20 and 100 lawyers, and the environment may be less intimate than a small firm.
The Large International Full-Service Firm – these are firms with over 100 lawyers, and specialize in corporate law. The legal work here is first rate, and can be prestigious and rewarding, but the requirements for this type of firm are significant…and the competition is fierce.
The Specialty, Litigation or National Firm – split between those more focused on litigation than others and those who are more narrow in focus, these are firms that have developed a niche and specific expertise over time.
Your Approach: We recommend trying to make contact with the lawyers in your specialist area, those with whom you share an affinity. This will give you the best chance of securing a position.
Get Legal Experience: Consult with professional legal recruiters. They will be able to tell you of any available positions based on your qualifications and background, and will be able to set up interviews for you.
Stay in Touch: Even if you aren’t getting responses to your applications for legal assistant jobs, stay in touch with legal recruiters. Provide them with letters of recommendation, and try to keep a page of accomplishments for your resume.
Be Persistent! – The Houston market for legal jobs is competitive to say the least, and you should expect the application process to be long. Don’t be overly critical with yourself or your background; remember that law firms may be searching for a very specific position, and that you may have all the experience they need.
Trends in Houston legal jobs
As we look to the future of the legal profession in Houston, several trends appear to be shaping the landscape. To begin with, there is a greater focus on technology and data analytics. Law firms and corporate legal departments are investing in new technology that enables them to analyze data more effectively and streamline their operations. This helps law firms to deliver legal services more effectively and gives them a competitive advantage while also creating a demand for legal professionals who can leverage these tools to enhance their work product.
Along with an increased focus on data analytics, there is also an emphasis on business development. Lawyers are expected not only to be legal experts but also business development experts. Firms will invest in resources that provide their lawyers with marketing and business development training. These skills are invaluable in a highly competitive legal environment .
Another noticeable trend is the rise of non-traditional legal roles. Organizations are increasingly looking to hire lawyers for non-traditional positions. These professionals may work in compliance, legal operations, policy-making, or other fields outside of the standard practice of law. Opportunities in these non-traditional roles are on the rise as companies seek to utilize the expertise of lawyers in new ways.
Lastly, the future also points toward the need for increased diversity in the legal sector. More organizations are working to attract a wider range of candidates with diverse backgrounds. They are also emphasizing diversity as a crucial aspect of their business success. As a result, law firms and corporations are investing in programs and initiatives that promote diversity within their organizations. Diversity is not just a matter of filling quotas but is increasingly seen as an important component of a thriving legal practice.