The Legal Job Scene in Oklahoma City
The legal job market in Oklahoma City is consistently robust, offering a wealth of opportunities across various practice areas and legal specialties. The city has seen a steady influx of law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies, all seeking to capitalize on the dynamic business landscape in Oklahoma.
According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020, approximately 1,720 attorneys were employed within the Oklahoma City-Shawnee metropolitan area, which includes surrounding counties. With a mean annual wage of $108,170, attorneys in the metro area earn competitive salaries compared to counterparts in larger cities. Global headhunting firms such as Major, Lindsey & Africa, and Robert Half Legal predict continued growth in the demand for legal professionals in the region.
Diversity is a hallmark of the legal job market in Oklahoma City. The city boasts law firms specializing in commercial litigation, intellectual property, energy and environmental law, health care, and more. Fortune 500 companies such as Devon Energy Corporation, Chesapeake Energy, and Devon Energy Corporation each contribute to the market’s diversity in both practice areas and employment types. Additionally, the private sector is not the only one hiring; the federal government employs lawyers to work on various legal matters at Tinker Air Force Base , as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Small to mid-sized law firms are a significant part of the legal landscape in Oklahoma City. These firms often concentrate on specific practice areas and provide opportunities for attorneys to gain diverse experience and meaningful client contact. In addition, boutique firms focusing on real estate, family law, and intellectual property are prominent in the local market, offering specialized career paths for legal professionals.
Oklahoma City has a strong demand for experienced legal talent, but there are also numerous opportunities for recent graduates to enter the workforce. Many small and mid-sized firms actively seek out recent graduates to infuse their energy and creativity into ongoing cases and legal departments. This provides promising opportunities to gain hands-on experience early in their careers.
As the legal job market in Oklahoma City continues to grow, so does competition for top talent. The University of Oklahoma College of Law and Oklahoma City University School of Law are two of the prestigious law schools producing a new generation of legal professionals for the local market. These institutions, combined with a population that is increasingly educated in law-related fields, create a continuously-growing talent pool.
Overall, the legal job market in Oklahoma City remains strong, with exciting opportunities for legal professionals at all levels of their careers. Whether you’re a seasoned attorney with established clients or a recent graduate eager to make your mark in the legal world, there’s no shortage of options in the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of Oklahoma City’s legal community.
Major OKC Law Firms on the Hunt for Talent
Most of the leading law firms in Oklahoma City hire experienced attorneys and have a large number of positions available. Most of the top law firms in Oklahoma City are located within a few blocks of one another in the downtown area.
McAfee & Taft has more than 200 attorneys in its offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The firm offers individual practice areas which publish their own associate hiring information, so we cannot say with certainty how many associates are hired at the firm as a whole. We can say, however, that McAfee & Taft is among the top 100 highest-grossing law firms in the United States by revenue.
Fellers Snider has a presence in adjacent office towers in downtown Oklahoma City. The firm has just under 100 attorneys between its three office locations in Oklahoma.
GableGotwals is consistently one of the largest firms to hire in Oklahoma City. The firm has a dozen attorneys in its Oklahoma City office and 60 attorneys overall.
Hall Estill has a large number of attorneys in its Oklahoma City office, with several more attorneys working with the firm remotely. Based on feedback from former associates, we see that the firm frequently hires for general transactional and litigation associates at all levels.
Kirkpatrick McKenzie is the former Oklahoma City office of McAfee & Taft, who continue to share the same office space.
Varied Legal Job Openings in Oklahoma City
Diversity of Legal Positions for Lawyers in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City’s legal market is as diverse as the community it serves. The most common legal positions found in this region include corporate law, criminal law, civil litigation, and public interest law.
Experienced corporate attorneys handle various matters for corporations, both big and small. Entrepreneurs often look to hire corporate lawyers when they need help drafting contracts, NDAs, terms of services, and governing bylaws. Corporate attorneys also assist organizations with corporate governance matters in states where they are registered as corporations.
Criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing criminal charges. They take cases from minor crimes like DUI to white-collar fraud and tax evasion. In addition to helping clients avoid jail time, a strong criminal defense lawyer can help clients regain trust and rebuild their reputations through effective representation in media and court appearances.
Civil litigators handle lawsuits, helping plaintiffs obtain compensation for serious injuries, medical malpractice, and workplace discrimination. Depending on the schedule and the firm they work for, some civil attorneys may handle a limited number of cases at a time or take on several class-action suits or mass torts for large groups of clients. Others may choose to work with an NGO or NPO that advocates for certain causes or represents certain classes of people, like women or the disabled.
The area of public-interest law focuses on the application of law to addresses social justice issues. Since public interest attorneys often work for non-profit or government agencies providing legal assistance to underserved populations, such as children, prisoners, and the elderly, these law firms don’t always require lawyers to have passed the bar exam, because their clients tend to be low-income.
Skills and Experience Needed for Legal Opportunities
The qualifications and skills that are typically required for law jobs in Oklahoma City vary based on the specific requirements of the law firm or organization, but most positions require a strong educational background in the field of law and experience in legal research, analysis, and writing. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school is the standard education requirement for attorneys in OKC, and candidates often have a performance record within the top 10% to 20% of their class. In addition to a J.D. degree, most firms require applicants to have passed the bar exam for the state of Oklahoma, and candidates may be required to have 3-5 years of prior law firm experience.
In addition to having education and experience, the majority of attorney positions in OKC require strong analytical, research, and writing skills. Applicants must be able to analyze information and synthesize a variety of arguments in order to build strong legal cases for their clients. Legal researchers are typically expected to have experience with using both internet and paper-based legal research platforms.
Other roles in the legal sector may require additional skills such as strong verbal communication skills, a high level of professionalism and ethics, business development acumen, and the ability to build or maintain a client base through networking and effective marketing strategies. Candidates for positions in legal administration or legal support are typically expected to have a strong knowledge of law office policies and procedures, and must have either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Networking and Career Growth Prospects
In the competitive landscape of the legal profession, the quality of one’s professional network can be the key to finding opportunities for career advancement. For those looking to further their legal careers in OKC, there are a wealth of networking opportunities within the expansive legal community that exists in the metropolitan region. Furthermore, individuals will find that a multitude of resources exist to help them learn more about the trends and developments that affect the local, state and regional legal community.
The legal community in OKC has a healthy number of networks and associations that cater to the needs of specific segments of the legal profession. In addition to providing their members with a wealth of information and networking opportunities , many of these organizations also provide their members with information on continuing legal education (CLE) courses and seminars that are relevant to the practice of law in OKC and beyond. Lawyers in Oklahoma City may also benefit from the resources provided by the Oklahoma Bar Association, which provides much of the information they need on CLE courses, work-related career events, pro bono legal opportunities and available legal jobs.
Of course, to truly achieve the full benefit of the expansive legal community in OKC, individuals considering legal careers in Oklahoma City would do well to network with members of other disciplines such as finance and business in order to truly round out their professional network. In addition to expanding the breadth of their network, exploring opportunities in sectors beyond the legal field may ultimately send lawyers on an interesting detour that leads them back to the legal profession in Oklahoma City.
Expected Salaries and Potential Career Progression
When considering a career in law, salary is one of the key factors you should take into account. The median salary of a lawyer in Oklahoma City is ranging from $79,651 to $135,602 per year as of 2023 data analysis. A criminal defense lawyer may only make $73,115 per year while a DWI lawyer will net you salaries starting at $58,644, however, depending on your level of experience and how many clients you can bring in and keep is a major factor in salary negotiations for attorneys of all kind.
Corporate lawyers, who deal with business legal matters, earn in the lower range of legal salaries in Oklahoma City, with an average mean wage of $69,113 per year in 2019. Personal injury lawyers, who specialize in helping clients receive compensation for injuries due to the fault of someone else, earn several thousand dollars more, with an average mean wage of $78,769 per year in 2019. In contrast, will prepared and experienced criminal defense lawyers command a higher salary range with an average mean wage of $99,804 per year in 2019, which is somewhat expected.
The growth potential for lawyers in Oklahoma City is positive, with a projected annual increase of 15.7% in 2023, having more than 3,040 job openings annually. There is a positive trend for jobs in the Oklahoma City area for lawyers, judges and law students right now.
Guidance on Securing Law Positions in Oklahoma City
A common question I hear from those seeking law jobs in OKC – both in the workforce and from law students – is "How do I apply for open law jobs in the Oklahoma City legal market?" So, let’s take a quick look at the what I’ve learned from my years in this market as a law firm recruiting partner and consultant. All these tips listed below are true for most law job opportunities.
Many OKC law firms request resumes submitted electronically. That’s not surprising, but you still need to pay attention to how you submit your resume. For example, sending an e-mail with your resume attached as a .pdf file is the most common method. (Don’t send in Word. PDF is fine.) Also, don’t forget to take care that your cover letter is part of that same document.
In theory, you should not send in a resume with errors. However, we live in the real world, and lawyers are turning out resumes with all kinds of errors. I know it sounds a little harsh to say that, but here’s the deal. I do try to be mindful of what jobs you are applying for. If the job you are applying for required strong attention to detail, then an error could mean the end of your candidacy. However, jobs don’t pay much heed to the fact that you made a mistake. In budgets made out by human resources managers, they just figure an error is typical. So, always remember to correct for the job you are applying for.
Take the time to write a detailed resume which considers the position you are applying for. Use key words that match those used in the job description. Consider if the job you are applying for has specific criteria you need to respond to. If the job posting states "three years litigation experience required," for example, don’t think that is merely a guideline. Showcase your experience in litigation with specific examples.
Your resume should stand out against other resumes you are competing with. Look for ways to personalize it. For example, refer to your successes or experiences in your cover letter.
In the real world, law firms only interview a handful of candidates for an open position. This is true for the job search in the OKC legal market. Therefore , in the interview you need to be different from the rest. You can do that in two ways: personal presentation and uniqueness.
In an interview, you must present yourself as if you are a partner at the firm. Bad grooming, sloppy dress and fumbling through answers speaks of lack of confidence, lack of self-awareness and worst yet, lack of competence. Don’t even get me started on your social media footprint. This is especially true in the competitive landscape for law jobs in OKC. Law firms want lawyers who will make them money and avoid lawsuits. Professional dress, professional demeanor and personal warmth will help you understand the law firm you are interviewing with.
I once interviewed a lawyer who had the best resume, but I thought the guy was a jerk when I met him. No way that guy had a long-term future at my firm or any law firm. His personality was so abrasive that he even had wardrobe stains on his interview suit. My point is, even if you are the best fit for the position you are applying for, do not think the interview is a formality. Believe me, we know when someone wants to work at our firm just for the sake of working at the firm. And I can tell you, we don’t hire people who use jobs – as a steppingstone to something "better." So, please – if you don’t want the job, don’t waste our time. Go look for something else.
Lastly, be unique. I once heard a speaker at a law school career services event who emphasized the need to be brash and arrogant in order to be successful when looking for a job. This is completely opposite from my view of confidence and self-awareness. Don’t be like everyone else. I cannot stress that enough. Emphasize what separates you from your competition in interviews. I always encourage attorneys to take the time to write down a list of everything they have done from a work experience perspective. It may include so many things you could never list all of them on a typical resume. Then, every few days, add to the list and keep that running. When it is time to interview, look to this list to find the things that help differentiate you. Everything else on the list can probably be left off your resume and pay no attention in an interview.