Inside the Numbers: The US Legal Market in 2025
The United States remains the country with the highest number of attorneys in the world but what does the US legal landscape really look like?
Using publicly-available data tracked by Pirical Legal Professionals (PLP), we've taken a look at where US attorneys are located, which practice areas they're working in and the leading law firms by headcount.
Which US States and Cities Have the Highest Number of Attorneys?
The US market is vast but legal talent remains concentrated in a handful of major cities and states.
Our latest data shows that over 20% of all AM Law 200 attorneys are based in New York City, with 27,400 calling it home. That’s nearly double the population of the next largest city, Washington, D.C. (15.3k attorneys). Chicago (8.8k), Los Angeles (7.8k), Boston (5.3k), and San Francisco (4.9k) make up the rest of the major legal hubs.
Combined, these six cities account for 53% of US-based attorneys, highlighting that, despite growing flexibility in where attorneys can work, Big Law still thrives in cities with the highest client density and legal infrastructure.
A few other locations also boast significant headcount. Texas is the state with the 3rd largest attorney population in the US, after New York & California, where
7% of AM Law 200 attorneys are now based.
What Are the Most Prominent Legal Practices in Each Major US City?
Litigation remains the largest practice area across the United States, with New York City (8.9k) and Washington, D.C. (6.6k) being home to the majority of Litigation attorneys.
Corporate and Finance roles are heavily concentrated in New York City. Notably, Banking & Finance attorney headcount has nearly doubled since our 2023 article, reflecting the city’s dominant role as the country’s financial center.
Cybersecurity & Data Protection practices are also on the rise, particularly in Washington, D.C., where
474 attorneys now specialize in the field. This growth likely suggests the increasing demand for legal expertise in privacy and data regulation, as more organizations look to adopt new technologies whilst also working to safeguard sensitive information, especially following a
record number of data breaches at law firms in 2024.
Who’s Leading the Market? The Largest Law Firms by Partner Headcount
Kirkland & Ellis have the most US-based Partners with 1,451 currently working at the firm, up from 1,263 in 2023, showcasing their continued dominance at the top of the US legal market. Close behind are Greenberg Traurig (1,199) and Holland & Knight (1,152).
One of the major developments so far this year has been the
formation of Troutman Pepper Locke, the product of a merger between Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord. The newly-combined firm has climbed the Partner headcount ranks to now have
717 US-based Partners. Strategic mergers like this continue to reshape the legal landscape, as firms prioritize regional expansion and practice depth, signaling that scale and adaptability remain essential in today’s competitive legal market.
Written using publicly-available data from Pirical Legal Professionals (PLP)
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