Minneapolis Legal Job Market Overview
Minneapolis has a stable legal market, but it is not one that boasts dramatic increases in associate and partner placements each year. In fact, there has been a real struggle in recent years to counter the losses of large Minneapolis firms as their non-firm affiliated offices in the Twin Cities either reduced headcount or moved to local firms. One thing about Minneapolis is that the firms that gain headcount do so quickly and decisively. That said, they are possible to find—and this year has already shown some promise.
As noted by Law360, the challenge for law firms that are looking to replace attorneys is, "what are they willing to offer in order to lure them away from the firm they are with? That is one of the reasons we currently have a tie with our friends to the southeast." Indeed, at present, Minneapolis law jobs pay competitively relative to regional counterparts. The problem is that, compared to cities like Seattle, Minneapolis is not highly competitive. Our agency has had a number of Minneapolis candidates interview with local firms this year, and while offers were made, none were accepted. Minneapolis associates are not only able to expect firm pay, but they can also expect heftier bonuses, and likewise, they can demand more agreeable hours and work-life balance.
Minnesota litigation is, generally speaking, what is driving the share of new associate placements in Minneapolis. It is notable that this is not the sole driver of placements, as there are still sizable opportunities for corporate attorneys. The unique demand for Minneapolis litigation attorneys is attributable to two factors: the first is that there are very few positions available in the region, and the second is that firms are lacking the quality lateral hires they need. For us, we have seen quite a few quality attorneys who have decided that Minneapolis offers the better lifestyle and are moving toward Minneapolis over more competitive markets like Chicago or Seattle.
When we look at a year-to-year synopsis of legal positions , there is basically nothing to be concerned about. Aside from the aforementioned missing lateral hires, the legal market appears to still bustle with opportunity. In the same vein, the hiring teams at Minneapolis firms are not making many adjustments with regard to the types of positions they are adding. Half of the legal positions added are for associate lawyers. Firms are often focusing on litigators and corporate attorneys over real estate and IP litigators. Generally speaking, we have seen firms offer positions to bi-lingual candidates, and while that certainly is a change, it is not a huge issue in the market. That said, the overall message is that qualified candidates will always be of interest to a Minneapolis firm.
Minneapolis is not exactly the place firms look to move associates when they want to set up shop somewhere else. We are not quite the same as Denver, which has attracted firms like Davis Wright Tremaine. That is not to say that trips to Denver won’t happen. There is a change on the way for attorneys interested in liveability: firms within the Twin Cities are putting together a better case for talented attorneys to join their ranks. Whether that is through programs like MN Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Minneapolis Assistant Attorney General program, or a vision for the future of the Minneapolis market as a whole, it is clear that qualified candidates will be a top priority for Minneapolis firms.
The most important thing to know about the Minneapolis legal market is that it is changing and needing to change. Firms are not facing pressure from the fall of Minnesota law, but rather they are feeling the same pressure many other firms are facing thereby amplifying the result. Minneapolis firms are constantly vying for the best qualified talent, and that talent will be paid what it is worth. An attorney with great experience should expect that Minneapolis firms are interested. At present, Minneapolis law jobs pay comparable rates to other big markets like Chicago, Portland, and Seattle. Perhaps the rest will follow suit.
Leading Minneapolis Law Firms Hiring Now
The prominent law firms that are actively hiring in Minneapolis tend to post a variety of positions. Some of the top firms hiring right now are Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, and Fredrikson & Byron P.A.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP is the most active firm we track in Minneapolis. They have six jobs posted in the market right now. Our analytics show that their attorney Boom & Bust cycle tends to follow an active hiring season. Currently they are looking for associates for their business and tax sections, as well as a labor and employment associate and a partner for their Intellectual Property section.
The next most active firm in Minneapolis is Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath. They have three job postings on our site related to employment and labor and business, and they are seeking a government affairs associate.
The third most active firm on our list is Fredrikson & Byron P.A., an affiliate of the Minneapolis-based Ameriprise Financial Inc. They have three Minnesota-based jobs posted with us; two related to their tax section and one related to bankruptcy.
Legal Specialties in High Demand
In-demand legal specializations are an important part of Minneapolis law jobs, and here’s the specialties that are driving the Minneapolis market today, in our view. Corporate law, intellectual property and litigation are all highly sought after specialties in this market by employers, although there are other areas of demand as well.
Corporate law jobs in Minneapolis are primarily focused on transactions and entity structuring, in part because of the size of the major firms in Minneapolis. Firms here are primarily full-service, and the largest have more than 100 attorneys. With this number of attorneys and service pieced together as they are, corporate transactions complement the other areas of practice. Companies of all types are in need of transactional attorneys; start ups for fundraising and structuring, and larger companies for virtually all corporate work such as investment projects, mergers, and compliance matters.
Intellectual Property jobs in Minneapolis are very prevalent, continuing an increasingly nationwide trend where more companies are creating software, electronic devices, and myriad technology products that require patent or copyright protection. Litigation specialists are in need for both bigger firms looking to augment their practices, and smaller and mid-sized litigation boutiques that focus on complex dispute resolution.
Tax specialists have a firm foothold here as well, but in a diversity of businesses, not just as internal counsel in larger firms. This may be coming from the regional center of Peterbilt manufacturers of semi-trucks, and other regional manufacturers based in the state.
Minneapolis Salary Estimates for Legal Positions
According to Robert Half’s 2016 Salary Guide, typical starting salaries for first year attorneys in the Minneapolis area are set between $50,000 and $88,500 with a median base salary of $63,500. Starting salaries for specialists in legal administrative support range from $40,750 to $56,000; from $54,750 to $78,500 for paralegals and from $57,750 to $74.500 for word processors. Legal marketing professionals command starting salaries between $45,750 and $78,750 with a median base salary of $63,750. Considering that general counsel earned median base salaries of $153,250 in Minneapolis in 2015, there is still a significant disparity between private practitioners and in-house counsel in terms of earnings.
Education and Experience Requirements
Acquiring a legal position in Minneapolis typically requires the completion of a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited institution in the United States, along with the passage of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). As with most legal positions in cities across the country, law firms in the area require prospective attorneys to have successfully earned their JD as well as completed a one year clerkship under the supervision of a supervising attorney. Mapped as a 3-2-1 educational program for prospective lawyers, the JD curriculum consists of a three year course of study covering law theory and practical training. The first year of study focuses on law basics such as civil procedure, contracts, torts, criminal law, property law and constitutional law. The second year of study allows students to explore more advanced coursework covering specialty topics like estate planning , insurance and intellectual property. The third year of JD coursework includes advanced legal studies such as Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy and Elder Law. Common elective areas of study include Aviation Law, Banking Law, Real Property Law and Bankruptcy Law. JD programs are primarily offered at private universities, although there are a select few public universities that also award this credential. Although formal educational requirements for law positions in Minneapolis strictly require applicants to possess a JD credential, many employers in the area prefer to receive applications from those who have achieved Master of Laws degrees (LLMs). Highly regulated by all 50 states, an LLM credential will increase job opportunities, particularly for those who have earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees outside of the United States.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Minnesota as a whole provides diverse opportunities for legal professionals. Law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies all call Minneapolis home, creating a competitive labor market ripe for experienced attorneys and entry-level candidates alike. And while these opportunities abound in the great city of Minneapolis, they also spread outwards to other areas of the Twin Cities metro and beyond. Throughout the Minneapolis legal job market, opportunities for career advancement and professional development are plentiful. From formal mentorships with managing partners in the big law firms to opportunities to work directly with business owners, in-house counsel, and executives in private practice and corporate settings, the experience that up-and-coming attorneys can gain through Minneapolis law jobs is invaluable in helping them build a strong career foundation on which they can grow and develop through their practice and advocacy work. Recognizing the importance of furthering their education and sharpening their skills, many Minneapolis law firms and legal departments offer up-and-coming attorneys opportunities to:
Job Search Resources
The Minneapolis legal market offers a wealth of resources for job seekers, from job boards and recruitment agencies to professional associations. Sites like LawCrossing and Minnesota Lawyer are essential tools for researching open positions and networking with other legal professionals. For those looking to expand their legal careers, joining associations such as the Hennepin County Bar Association or the Minnesota State Bar Association can enhance their network , offer valuable continuing education opportunities, and provide exclusive job listings. At Hudson Legal, we work with a variety of reputable legal recruitment agencies in the Twin Cities area, which provides access to the latest job openings and trends. Leveraging these resources helps Minneapolis job seekers stay informed on the vast array of opportunities in this competitive legal market.