Columbus Legal Landscape in Perspective
Last year, only 29% of all attorneys at the 25 largest Ohio law firms were based in Columbus. This is a pretty good indicator of how big a player Columbus is in the state’s legal landscape, which also includes strong markets in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton.
In Columbus, you’ll find seven of Ohio’s 25 largest law firms. These firms employ some 854 lawyers in offices located in and around Columbus. If those 25 firms are acting as a proxy for the total size of the Columbus legal community, then there are well over 2,600 attorneys in the greater Columbus area. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Columbus has 2,970 lawyers — slightly less than the 3,140 in Cleveland .
The Columbus market appears to be growing more competitive, if recent statistics from Major, Lindsey & Africa are to be believed. The percentage of partners at Columbus law firms who are laterals, hired from outside their firm, has increased from 36.5% in 2018 to 41% in 2019. A whopping 16% of partners at major law firms here were hired as laterals, more than double the national average of 7%. This suggests that either Columbus firms are not able to get enough of the best and brightest attorneys through campus recruiting, or that they’re really looking to beef up their ranks with top talent.
Of the 25 largest law firms in Columbus, 11 are national firms with offices throughout the country. With such a wide range of legal specialties, the Columbus legal market is a big tent for all types of legal professionals.
High Demand Legal Positions
In Columbus, the demand for particular legal job positions tends to be predictable. Law firms in the area and recruitment agencies specializing in legal careers continue to advertise for qualified candidates in roles such as attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants.
Attorneys are the most common legal professionals employers seek in Columbus. The jobs are for both in-house and private practice positions. Although large firms offer more incentives and higher salaries to secure candidates, even small firms are keen to attract the best attorneys with extensive experience in particular practice areas.
Paralegals in Columbus have also enjoyed a lot of favorable legal industry trends. Their salary levels received a boost with the new compensation structures being implemented across most large firms in Ohio. Employers also recognize that paralegals must now have advanced technical skills to meet the demands of document management and other electronic processes. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are important for paralegal candidates in Columbus.
Other top legal positions in Columbus include legal assistants and legal secretaries. Legal secretaries are in demand because they have combined administrative and legal training to help streamline the everyday processes of the law firm they work for.
Some firms are even looking for candidates for less frequently needed positions such as an insurance defense attorney for cases involving German automobile companies and real estate litigators. There is a general trend where attorneys with more than 5 years’ experience are in high demand because many large firms are losing clients due to the retirement of aging partners in their firms. The new attorneys typically have skills to generate more revenue streams for the firm.
Leading Law Employers
Prominent among the large law firms are Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP and BakerHostetler, both of which have sizeable offices in Columbus. Both firms are well over 100 attorneys in Columbus, with other offices throughout the U.S. BakerHostetler is the second largest Ohio-based law firm by revenue (behind Jones Day) and one of the Top 10 biggest firms in the U.S.
Another large firm in Columbus is Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co. LPA, which ranks among the top 250 largest U.S. firms and the only Columbus firm to make it onto a national list of the top 100 law firms for real estate law.
Smaller firms, of course, play a crucial part in the legal field in Columbus. Among the most notable is Chester Willcox & Saxbe LLP, a 120-attorney litigation and business firm founded in 1989 through the merger of Chester Willcox & Saxbe, which had been in business since 1869, and the law firm of Constantine, Sampson & Hoshall, also founded in 1869. The firm, which is the eighth-largest in Columbus, is known for both its litigation and business/corporate practices.
The largest black-owned law firm in the U.S., Ray Quinney & Nebeker P.C., has a Columbus office, as do the Cincinnati-based firms Frost Brown Todd LLC and Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL. Several major national firms also have regional offices in Columbus, including Baker Donelson, Dentons, DLA Piper, Jones Day, McGuireWoods LLC, Reed Smith LLP, Sidley Austin LLP, and Squire Patton Boggs., all of which are well-regarded in their respective practice areas.
Additional smaller firms with a strong reputation in Columbus and the Ohio State University area include:
Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter, a 70-attorney firm and the second-largest in Columbus, is the premier business law firm for the state of Ohio and central Ohio in particular.
Other prominent law firms with a significant presence in Columbus include Kephart Fisher LLP, Bailey Cavalieri LLC, Johnson and Johnson Law Firm LLC, Thomas, Terpstra & Eyman LLP, Isaac Wiles Burkholder & Teetor LLC, Law Firm of Day, Ketterer, Raley & Rice, Reminger Co. LPA, McCarthy Lebit Crystal & Liffman Co. LPA, Arnet & Chiverella Co LPA, Brown & Lee LLP and Gerhardstein & Branch Co., LPA.
Regional Salaries and Benefits
A key factor when considering legal employment in Columbus, Ohio is the corresponding salary and benefits that the employer offers. The salary and benefits offered by employers in the Columbus legal market are competitive with those offered by large metropolitan markets, much like the cost of living in Columbus.
The typical range of compensation varies depending on the type and level of a position. For instance, associate attorneys with large size law firms in Columbus can expect to make between $70,000 to $125,000, a range fairly consistent with other Midwest metropolitan markets. Government attorneys can expect a number of different pay scales depending upon experience and location, especially for attorney general offices in Columbus, Ohio (e.g., division of securities/real estate taxation).
Generally, only the most senior associates with years of experience and proven track records at large law firms can compete for the largest pay packages, making an entry-level associate’s compensation more competitive with other Midwest metropolitan markets.
In addition to compensation, many law firms and large employers in Columbus offer a number of other benefits, including sign-on bonuses, reimbursement for bar review preparation and exam costs, reimbursement for moving expenses, funding for bar dues, CLE and other professional development opportunities, and generous annual leave policies.
Networking and Recruiting Advice
The legal job market in Columbus, Ohio has its unique characteristics that job seekers would do well to consider. Networking, for example, is a valuable tool in Columbus. Since the population is concentrated in a relatively small area, it’s not uncommon for legal professionals to run into each other at social or professional events. This means that your network can be more effective in helping you find job opportunities.
Where should you network? Consider joining the Central Ohio Association for Justice (COAJ). This professional organization focuses on plaintiff and employee justice. COAJ has monthly meetings that bring local lawyers and judges together. Not only will you be able to engage with like-minded legal professionals, but you may also find that they have information about job openings in your practice area.
If you’re seeking a job in a corporate legal setting, then the Columbus Bar Association’s "Job Search Training Programs" may be just what you need. These training programs focus on practical, concrete skills that you can use to help your job search. The best part? It’s free, and you don’t even have to be a member to participate.
Another local resource for networking is the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. They maintain a calendar of upcoming networking and continuing education events . Participating in these events is your chance to meet some of the best legal minds in the state and get your name out there when you’re looking for a job.
Online, monster.com and usajobs.gov are your best bets for finding professional jobs in the Columbus area. Monster.com has a longstanding history of helping people nationwide find work. It’s worth using even if you’ve had mixed results in the past. The same goes for usajobs.gov. As the official job board for the U.S. Federal Government, this site will give you access to a lot of openings with government agencies in Columbus that you might not otherwise have known about.
If you prefer networking for future career opportunities, then consider developing a list of "target organizations." A target organization is a company or agency that you think you would be a good fit for, based on your skills and interests. Instead of applying for posted job openings, you can send them your resume and request a meeting. This proactive approach can help you land opportunities that aren’t advertised. This requires you to be willing to take some risks, but if you do a little research on these institutions beforehand, you’ll be able to craft a strong cover letter and tailor your pitch.
Legal job seekers in Columbus have many local resources to utilize. Don’t be afraid to leverage them—it can make all the difference.
Education and Certification Options
The path to a legal career in Columbus, Ohio, varies according to the position. Prospective lawyers require a thorough education in law. In addition to obtaining a bachelor’s degree, applicants must successfully complete a Juris Doctor, while also passing the state’s bar exam. They may also have the option to earn their bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees through an accelerated program, which typically equates to about six years of study through one institution. However, applicants should note that the increased course load of an accelerated program extends extracurricular time requirements, and outcomes vary. Working under a licensed attorney, paralegals and legal assistants generally require an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or other legal work, a bachelor’s degree or, in some cases, a high school diploma. However, they may be able to obtain employment without a formal degree if they have extensive professional experience. For those considering a career as a legal secretary, a high school diploma is usually a prerequisite, although vocational training or experience may provide an alternative path. Some employers may prefer applicants to have an associate’s degree in business administration or possess a bachelor’s degree in other fields. Franklin University features several options for prospective lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants and legal secretaries. Among them is the Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) program, which is available with or without a specialization in Legal Studies. To earn the degree, students must complete 124 semester hours, which includes general education and electives, as well as major coursework. Required coursework includes Evidence and Investigation, Business Law, Law and Ethics in Business, Law of Contracts and Agreements, among others. The program is available online, in a traditional classroom setting or through a hybrid approach. Online and hybrid versions of the program are offered in eight-week terms with five terms per year. Other programs at Franklin include an Associate of Science in General Studies (AS), an Associate of Science in Business (AS) and an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies. Students can complete one or more of these associates’ degree programs online. Columbus State Community College offers an Associate of Applied Business Degree in Paralegal. Required coursework includes Introduction to Law, Family Law, Law Office Management, Legal Research and Writing, Estate Planning and Wills, among others. Eventually, the college hopes to offer the program exclusively online. Students currently can complete the requirements for this degree through a combination of online and on-campus coursework.
Field Challenges and Future Considerations
One of the most common problems faced by a legal professional is the fact that he or she is not paid what they are worth. Lawyers and paralegals in Columbus, Ohio and elsewhere are grossly underpaid because law firms cannot afford to pay them because of a combination of the costs of doing business and the cost of malpractice insurance. Clients, in response, have an expectation for lower rates, encouraging them to not pay a legal professional the market rate for their services. There is a financial incentive for clients to retain the right lawyer, at the highest price that they are willing to pay within his or her legal budget. While it is popular to complain about how lawyers are paid, there are many that make a very comfortable living, or even become quite wealthy, just by the collection of large amounts of money from legal budgets. For every $1 paid to a legal professional, either through billing or a salary, there is a lot of money being made on the other side of the proverbial coin. Conversely, however, while a legal professional may have a steady stream of clients, it only takes one uncollected invoice to turn a nice paycheck into a large loss . A bad hire may mean more work for the existing legal professionals in the office. Competition for clients may mean that clients are lost to firms willing to pay a higher salary for an attorney to assist the ones already working at the firm.
The biggest challenge for all legal professionals, from the biggest law firms in the Country to a professor teaching law classes, is to find and keep the right legal professional who will fit in with the people already employed and the clients that they already serve. Ultimately, it is a cultural fit and an additional head to the department that is being hired to be a successful hire. Most law firms are willing to spend a good deal of time and effort to find a good fit, but the culture of law firms is one that discourages hiring outside of their immediate network. The Ohio State Bar Association is great at finding, training and certifying attorneys. It is up to the firms, however, to change the image of the profession to a more diverse audience. Without a broadening of both the client and the legal professional base, the profession will be limited in its ability to grow and serve the community as a whole.