45 Fascinating Lawyer Statistics and Facts for 2023
The law profession is among the most esteemed jobs worldwide, as revealed by statistics. However, it has been misconceived due to the supposed attraction to corruption, dishonesty, and bribery when they represent criminals, dishonest individuals, and greedy corporations.
Despite the misconception, they are applauded when they represent civic organizations and protect the fundamental human rights of individuals. The legal service industry projected $840 billion globally in 2023. This article provides insightful lawyer statistics and facts to enable you to understand what goes on in this fantastic industry.
There has been a slight increase in the number of lawyers in the United States. In 2022, according to the report, 1.3 million lawyers were reported operating in the United States, which is virtually what has been the statistics from 2015.
(Source: ABA )
2. Women Account for 38% of Lawyers.The percentage of women in the legal profession has risen in recent years though men dominate the law profession. Statistics show that the number of women will increase in the following years.
(Source: American Bar)
3. 70% of Women are Considering Leaving the Legal Profession.Racism tends to affect non-white female lawyers in the law profession. Their efforts are not sufficiently recognized and awarded. Also, a lot of female lawyers are faced with negative stereotyping. For example, Latino lawyers are often viewed as courtroom interpreters.
(Source: American Bar)
4. Non-White Female Lawyers Comprise 2% of Equity Partners in Big Law Firms.Statistics show this has been the situation in the past 20 years. Survey participants reveal bias and stereotyping experiences in the law profession. One of the participants reported putting in great effort to be recognized for promotion.
(Source: American Bar)
5. 5% of United States Lawyers are Black, Though African Americans Comprise 13% of the Population.There has been a 3% increase in the percentage of black lawyers in the last decade. African Americans and the black community are underrepresented in the law profession. However, by race, there are 2% of Asians, Hispanic 5% and Native Americans at 0.4% layers.
(Source: American Bar)
6. Medical Lawyers are the Highest Paid.Medical lawyers offer services related to medical law, such as healthcare law and medical malpractice. They earn an average of $150,881 yearly.
(Source: Biglaw Investor)
7. Criminal Lawyer Statistics are Predicted to Experience an 8% Growth Rate.They are known as public defense lawyers or criminal defense lawyers. According to the report, the profession is estimated to experience an 8% rise in the coming years. Unfortunately, this informs us of a possible increase in the crime rate in society. Criminal defense lawyers work in private firms or own private practices; they have an average annual salary of $ 120,910. Forty-seven years is the average age of lawyers.
(Source: Above the Law)
8. Lawyers are Older than most American Workers, and Many Continue Working After 65 Years.Lawyers who continue working after 65 years account for 15%.
(Source: ABA)
9. There is an Expectancy Growth in the Rate of Layer Employment by 4% in 2029.This seems not to be high, but it shows that the demand for legal services is expected to grow. Individuals, organizations, and society will require legal services at one point or the other in their lives.
(Source: BLS)
10. An Attorney can Earn as High as $ 2400 an Hour.Medical lawyers can earn an average of $150,881 annually and are the highest paid in the industry. High-caliber attorneys earn up to $2,400 per hour and about $5 million yearly.
(Source: GoRemotely)
11. 4% of Registered ABA Lawyers are Retired.Most lawyers work their entire life, and this accounts for the low percentage of retirees.4% represents about 7,760 people in the profession. Caucasian and whites make up 81% of lawyers in the US.
(Source: GoRemotely)
12. According to a Report, 60% of United States Lawyers are Non - Hispanic Whites.Multiracial communities represent 2.7% of lawyers in the US. Native Americans represent 1.3% of lawyers in the United States, while about 5% are African or black Americans. The Hispanic community represents 5.8% of all lawyers in the field. Asian American makes up about 6% of all lawyers in the United States.
(Source: ABA)
What are the Lawyer Statistics in the US Compared to Other Countries?
There are 1,327.010 lawyers in the United States, according to a survey conducted by the American Bar Association. The record of active lawyers has increased by over 6% from 2012 to 2022.
(Source: Abalegal Profile)
14. Over 300,000 Lawyers are Operating in China.China's statistics of lawyers have grown over the years to 9.5%. According to the report, they handle about 3.3 million cases yearly, nearly 1 million non - litigation cases, and over 25,000 law firms operational.
(Source: Xinhuanet)
15. Statistics Reveal 140,000 Solicitors Practice Law in England and Wales.In 2017 184,736 solicitors were called on the roll, of which 142,515 were practicing. There has been an increase of 12% in the number in the past years. And the figure is expected to keep increasing with the picture of a buoyant and healthy profession embedded in the minds of many.
(Source: Legal Cheek)
Lawyer Statistics by Industry
The law profession is promising if one is undecided on a career path to take, but one must consider the high level of competition in the industry. Salary in this industry depends on the level of expertise and the state of your operation.
16. The Average Annual Salary in 2016 was $ 139,880.2016, according to labor statistics, an average of $139,880 was reportedly earned in 2016. This means an average of about $ 11,656 monthly.
(Source: Amaze Law)
17. The Highest Average Earning of a Lawyer was $187,110 in 2011.In 2011 the highest earning recorded was $187,110 by San Jose.
(Source: Biz Journal)
18. The Median Salary for Private Practice in 2018 was $120,000.According to statistics, many worked full-time and overtime, working 40 hours a week.
(Source: Nalp)
19. The Median Annual Wage in 2021 Was $127,990.Lawyers' yearly salary will rise to $127,990 in May 2021. From 2021 to 2031, the employment rate is expected to increase by 10%.
(Source: Nalp)
20. Lawyers Earn an Average of $59,670 Per Year.With an annual salary of over $139,000, the lowest workers receive less than half of this. This equates to $4,655 each month.
(Source: Work Chron)
21. The Law Profession Ranks as the Best Social Service Job in the United States, With 80,200 and a Projected Salary of $127,990.The law profession is the highest-ranking job in social service in the United States, with a projected salary of $127,990.
(Source: USNews)
22. Annually, Federal Attorneys Earn $129,430 on Average.Most lawyers work for private firms and give legal services to clients. BLS reports that lawyers have an average earning of $137,170 as of May 2011. Lawyers involved in company management earned an average of $161,570. The local government-hired attorneys earned $93,070, state attorneys earned $81,960, and federal attorneys earned $129,430. 23. The global legal service is projected to reach $840 billion in three years after the Covid -19 pandemic, which slowed down economic activities.
(Sources: Goremotely, Statista)
Lawyer Statistics of Labor Bureau
Today, lawyers in the United States earn an average of about $140,000, which means $10,000 higher than in 2011. Lawyers receive a monthly earning of $11,656.
(Source: Goremotely)
24. Lawyers Earned an Average of About $124,000 in 2018.In 2018, the median salary for private practice jobs was considerably higher than $120,000, and the average earning was about $124,000.
(Source: Nalp)
25. Lawyers in Large Firms Earn as High as $190,000.In 2018, lawyers hired by big law firms earned between $180,000 and $ 190,000.
(Source: Nalp)
Lawyer Statistics of Depression
ALM survey of more than 3,800 respondents discovered that 31. 2% are depressed. Lawyers suffer depression about three times more than the average United States adult.
(Source: Clio)
27. 28% of Lawyers Suffered from Depression.According to a survey conducted on over 13,000 practicing lawyers in 2016, 28% suffered from depression, 19% had severe anxiety issues, and 11.4% had suicidal thoughts.
(Source: American Bar)
28. Lawyers are 3.6 Times More Likely to Suffer Depression.According to a study, lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to face depression than people in other jobs.
(Source: Aba Journal)
29. One in Four Lawyers Experience Psychological Distress, Inadequacy, Anxiety, Depression, and Isolation.One out of every lawyer in the United States faces depression and related issues.
(Source: Modern Law Practice)
30. Male Lawyers are More Likely to have Suicidal Thoughts than Men in the General Populace.A study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health discovers that male solicitors are twice as likely to fall prey to suicidal thoughts than men in other occupations.
(Source: Modern Law Practice)
31. Suicide is the Highest cause of Premature Death Among Lawyers.The primary cause of premature death in the law profession is suicide.
(Source: Modern Law Practice)
Lawyer Statistics by Demographics
According to the most recent available data, African-Americans make up around 4.7% of the total lawyer population in the United States. This representation emphasizes African-American underrepresentation in the legal profession.
(Source: Modern Law Practice)
33. Black Lawyers in the American Bar Association have Declined from 4.8% in 2011 to 4.7% in 2021.The number of black lawyers in the American Bar Association has fallen somewhat over the last decade, from 4.8% in 2011 to 4.7% in 2021, highlighting the importance of ongoing efforts to address diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
(Source: Reuters)
34. The Average Annual Earning of a Lawyer in Montana in July 2023 is $94,707 Per Year.This means approximately $ 45.53 per hour. Montana ranks 18th out of 50 states in the United States regarding lawyer salaries.
(Source: Zip Recuiter)
35. 1.73% of Legal Representatives in the US are Black Women.According to a survey, the law industry is unfavorable to black women as they account for 1.73% of legal practitioners. Also, different women comprise 8.57% of the total number of United States lawyers.
(Source: HBR)
36. New York has the Highest Number of Attorneys, 182,296 in the US.The number of active attorneys in the United States has been 14.5 % over the last 10 years. According to a survey by the American Bar Association, New York is leading with 182,296 practicing lawyers.
This is followed by:
- California - 170,117,
- Texas at 91,244,
- Florida at 78,448, and
- Illinois at 62,720
(Sources: Aba Journal, Abalegal Profile)
Lawyer Statistics of Employment
These statistics show the prevalence of self-employment among lawyers. This indicates that a quarter of lawyers are entrepreneurs rather than depending on the traditional employment system.
(Source: NerdWallet)
38. Employment of Lawyers is Expected to Increase by 4% from 2019 to 2029.The employment rate of lawyers is projected to remain steady for the next decade. This is quite a good report for one aspiring to pursue a career in law. Also, there is no risk of oversaturation of the workforce in the law profession.
(Source: Above The Law)
39. The Median Salary of Lawyers in 2018 was $120,910 Annually.This is critical in knowing the average lawyer's income and financial prospects in the United States. In 2018, the median annual salary for lawyers in the United States was $120,910.
(Source: IBISWorld)
40. The Legal Services Business has the Most Layers, with 367,600 in 2016.The fact that 367,600 people got jobs in the legal profession in 2016 demonstrates the importance of the legal services industry and the proportional importance of investment in this area.
(Source: HBR)
41. In 2020, Over 1,300,000 Law School Graduates were Hired by Private Firms in the United States.Despite the economic situation with the pandemic in 2020, private firms in the United States hired over a million graduates from law school in 2021.
(Source: Reuters)
42. 83.1% of Law Graduates got a Job Requiring a License Within 10 Months after Graduation.This report shows the success experienced by most law school graduates after graduation.
(Sources: Aba Journal, Abalegal Profile)
Law Firms in the United States
The rate of growth in the business of law firms will increase by 0.7% in 2023 from that of 2022.
(Source: IBISWorld)
44. Baker McKenzie is the Most Prominent Law Firm in the United States.Baker McKenzie maintained its position at the top though it experienced a reduction in the headcount by 0.3 % from 4,795 to 4,779 full-time lawyers.
(Source: Above The Law)
45. Leading Legal Firms Pay $190,000 to First-Year Associates.Lawyers in big firms earn high salaries than those employed in other private-sector law jobs. The most frequent starting salary payment in 2019 by big firms to law associates in the first year was $190,000.
(Source: NerdWallet)
ConclusionThe law profession, with its current statistics of over 1.3 million in the United States, indicates a viable industry with high prospects financially for aspiring attorneys. With the high number of law firm businesses projected at 449,633 in 2023, lawyers will be adequately engaged and experience higher earnings.
FAQsWhat is the percentage of satisfied lawyers?A survey reveals that 77.4% of respondents are happy, while only 15% respond to being unhappy as a lawyer.
What country has the highest number of lawyers?The United States has the highest number globally of lawyers, with a statistic of 1.26 million.
What is the percentage of black female lawyers?Female lawyers comprise 1.73% at the group level and 8.57% at the partnership level in the United States.