Inside the Numbers: The US Legal Market in 2025
The United States remains as the country with the highest number of attorneys but what does the legal landscape of the US really look like?
Using publicly-available data tracked by Pirical Legal Professionals (PLP), we've taken a look at where US attorneys are located, prominent legal practice areas, and the leading law firms by headcount.
Which US States and Cities Have the Highest Number of Attorneys?
The US market is pretty vast but legal talent is concentrated in a handful of major cities.
Our latest data shows that New York City still leads the way in terms of attorney headcount, with over 27,400 NYC-based AM Law 200 attorneys. That’s nearly double the population of the next major hub, Washington, D.C., which has more than 15,300 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 make up 53% of all AM Law 200 attorneys in the USA, highlighting that, despite growing flexibility in where attorneys can work, Big Law still thrives in cities with the highest client density and legal infrastructure.
What Are the Most Prominent Legal Practices in Each Major US City?
Litigation remains the dominant practice area across the United States, with New York City (8.9k) and Washington, D.C. (6.6K) leading by a significant margin.
Corporate and Finance roles are heavily concentrated in New York City. Notably, the 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
471 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 lead the way with 1,451 US-based Partners, 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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