The Legal Job Market in Denver
Currently, the legal market in all of Colorado remains fairly tight. Nearly five years after the recession started and the downturn in legal hiring started, things have yet to return to the good old days. But while the legal market still isn’t at full health, it’s getting better. Before 2008, the private sector legal market was a 4-2-4 market – that is, four years of lunches and few layoffs, two years of bankruptcy and layoffs, and four years of lunches again. In 2008, the private sector changed to a 3-3-3, for three years of layoffs, hiring freezes and bankruptcy followed by three years of some new normal of continuous transition, which we have not yet seen. We would consider ourselves out of the recession in private practice when we have some combination of 1) a return to 4-2-4; 2) significantly higher hiring rates; 3) a significant minimum salary increase; 4) boom times for corporate and securities partner recruiting. The good news for Colorado attorneys is that as conditions have gotten seemingly tighter for a lot of law firms in New York , Miami, Houston and Chicago, conditions have been improving at Colorado firms. Colorado attorneys are increasingly being sought after by firms in those cities, and that in turn has led to some firms in Denver increasing salaries for associates. These once minor adjustments could potentially snowball into more permanent increases, but time will tell whether or not they will.
Moreover, Denver University Law School is currently the 12th best law school in the country, and one of the most exceptional law schools in the country in terms of their bar passage rate. It currently has an 80.42% bar passage rate, more than five points higher than last year. That suggests that even with the smaller number of attorney jobs becoming available, there still are enough quality clients coming into bars that there is confidence they will be represented.
Leading Legal Employers in Denver
When it comes to large, national law firms with a significant presence in the Denver area, the following firms have a wide variety of opportunities available at all times.
This is not an all-inclusive list of the larger firms, but rather, is just a short sample of firms with productive offices in Denver:
Holland & Hart
Faegre Baker Daniels
BakerHostetler (formerly Wood, Ris & Hames)
Davis Graham & Stubbs
Bryan Cave
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Ice Miller
Husch Blackwell
Baker Hostetler
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Denver is also home to many corporate legal departments, from the Fortune 500 to the Fortune 1000. Some of the top companies with in-house legal departments include:
Arrow Electronics
Molson Coors
Dish Network
Xcel Energy (and Xcel Energy Services)
Arrow Electronics
Baker Hughes
Ball Aerospace
Spectrum Brands
Woodward Governor Company
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Tervita
Safeway
University of Denver
University of Colorado
Noodles & Company
Perhaps standing on the next rung down from the large regional firms and in-house departments is the boutique and small law firm sector. There are many highly regarded boutiques in Denver, with specialties ranging from administrative and regulatory law to intellectual property to litigation to labor and employment. Some of the larger regional and multi-regional boutiques with significant expertise in Denver include:
Holland & Hart has approximately 450 attorneys in 15 offices. The firm is headquartered in Denver and has more than 90 lawyers in the city. The firm has a wide array of sophisticated practices and serves clients across a number of industries.
Husch Blackwell is a national firm, headquartered in St. Louis, with 850 attorneys in 19 offices. The firm is growing in Denver, and now has approximately 40 attorneys in Denver, focusing on its Energy, Health Care, Real Estate and Intellectual Property practices.
Regional and smaller boutiques include:
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Davis Graham & Stubbs
Lathrop Gage
Benesch
Davidson, McKeeman & Doyle
Hall & Evans
Kennedy Childs
Ogborn Mihm
Fitzgilbert & Brehm
Lottner Rubin Fishman Brown
Miller & Law PC
Keefer Schenk Appelt PC
Mackenzie | McGuire
Otten, Johnson, Robinson, Neff & Ragonetti
Sherman & Howard
Spencer Fane Britt & Browne
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP
Fitzgerald & Bullock
Lathrop Gage
Kirkpatrick Ives LLC
Labovitz Law Group
Moore Smith
Waldron & Schneider
Chadwick Stehling Becker & Vorreyer
Campbell Killin Brittan & Ray
Collins Cockrel & Cole
The Evans Firm
Bailey & Peterson
Harris, Karstaedt, Jamison & Powers, P.C.
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Meyer Law Firm, LLC
Verner Brumley Mueller Parker cc
Reimer & Grazian
King and Greisen, LLP
Kurtz & Perrault, LLC
Tremont and Sheldon, P.C.
Fitzgerald & Brehm
Chaffe & Associates, P.C.
Oddo & Babos
O’Connor, Brewer & Waldron
U.S. District Court
Guidiville Rancheria of California
Arbitration Center of the Rockies, Inc.
Morgan Lewis
Woods Aitken LLP
Most Professional Legal Areas
For those looking to explore legal career opportunities in Denver, there are currently numerous specializations that are in demand. Environmental law is one of those areas. The Rocky Mountain region has been experiencing growth in environmental regulations and energy. Although the oil and gas industries have had a soft spot in the recent downturn, environmental law firms are seeking excellence from those with environmental law expertise. This includes corporate advocates, litigators, project developers, mediators and those with experience in business legislation and regulatory compliance.
Corporate law is another specialization of interest. Whether you are looking for in house work or opportunities with a law firm, corporate law is a high demand area. Business clients require expert assistance in securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and transactional law. Corporate litigation is also on the rise, so those with experience in litigation should not overlook opportunities with litigation groups or firms.
A high growth area for attorneys is the family law specialization. Whether working in the government or with a firm, experienced attorneys who practice family law with an emphasis on litigation experience are being sought by corporations, the government and law firms. As the housing market continues to recover, those with expertise in real estate are also in demand as counsel and litigation attorneys. Though less prominent, tax lawyers with experience are requested by firms and corporations seeking sophisticated counsel with specialist expertise.
Crucial Skills for Denver Lawyers
While every law career is unique and has its own set of demands, the plethora of opportunities for legal professionals in Denver virtually guarantees that job seekers will have their pick of the litter. However, to be competitive in the Denver job market, legal professionals should possess several essential skills and qualifications. In addition to skills that are necessary for most professionals nationwide, there are certain skills and qualities that can make candidates more attractive to potential employers in the Denver area. These include: Technical proficiency. Computer skills are basic requirements for any legal professional. Law firms and other legal employers increasingly rely on computer software to help them manage and store heaps of documentation. It is crucial to maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the various programs and systems your employer uses so that you can perform your job with maximum efficiency. Analytical skills. Legal professionals are often required to review and interpret large quantities of information. Analytical skills enable you to quickly break down complex information into smaller, more manageable chunks. These skills can come in handy when trying to adhere to deadlines and at other times when time management is critical. Strong communication skills. Legal professionals work with clients from all walks of life. As such, it is vitally important to communicate effectively with all clients, regardless of their background or level of education. Not only must a field such as immigration law be clearly explained to clients, but clients should be provided with honest assessments of their cases. This is also true when reviewing or negotiating contracts. Being clear and effective is important, regardless of the situation or audience. Attention to detail. Legal professionals often deal with very important documents or information, such as client records, contracts and appendices, legal briefs and pleadings. When reviewing this type of data, you must employ your attention to detail to look for and eliminate errors. Ability to multitask. During the course of a normal day, a legal professional may juggle duties such as answering phones, responding to email, meeting with clients, attending meetings and managing files. The ability to prioritize tasks and remain focused is crucial to your success as a legal professional.
Organizations and Networking
Networking has a significant role to play in the legal job search in Denver. For starters, it can be paramount in securing a legal role you won’t find on the job boards. Once you get a job interview you must impress in order to get the job. This is accomplished by establishing personal rapport with interviewers by making a good impression.
The single most effective way to establish rapport and make strong first impressions is by meeting face-to-face. In Denver there are numerous opportunities to network with other attorneys which will lead to promising job leads or your next legal position. At a minimum, it will help keep you on the radar in your practice area(s) of choice.
The most important professional organization for lawyers is the Denver Bar Association. This bar association serves both Denver County and Colorado Supreme Court Bar Associations and is devoted to serving the needs of lawyers and promoting the rule of law. The DBA offers lots of services for members and participates in many professional organizations and events, including:
They also host the following monthly events:
The Colorado Bar Association is involved in a terrific number of community service projects, including the Colorado Supreme Court’s Lawyer Lending Program. Attorneys offer low-interest loans to individuals who need help in funding their legal issues. In addition, they offer details of valuable pro bono and professional development events on their website.
In addition to the state bar association , there are a number of specialty organizations for attorneys, including:
Finally, networking events are hosted all over town, at any number of venues throughout the week. Many of these events are sponsored by other bar associations. Some are not directed toward attorneys but still provide good networking opportunities, such as those hosted by the Denver Chamber of Commerce and Women Who Startup. Local agencies like the Denver Economic Development & Opportunity also offer great networking opportunities. Finally, there are Meetups and other social groups benefitting many different interests.
Networking is not just about career advancement. It also provides social and civic benefits. Being active in professional organizations, networking events, pro bono work and other service opportunities helps develop a reputation in the Denver legal community.
That reputation becomes an important asset when you apply for an open position. Many times you will be referred to the hiring partner before you submit your formal application. You should also be able to get a better idea of the culture of the firm and role once established rapport with associates and partners. That knowledge is invaluable in the interview process – and beyond.
The majority of professional associations require membership and payment of dues. The upside to this expense is that some of these groups offer excellent free resources to members, so check them out online.
Advice for Those Searching for Work in Denver
When it comes to applying to law jobs in Colorado, there are some steps you can take to help yourself stand out. First of all, make sure you have a solid resume; it’s often your one chance to show a law firm that you have what it takes to work there. Generally speaking, when an employer looks at a resume, it’s typically a matter of seconds before they decide whether or not to move on to your application. So, take some time to develop a resume that will help you get noticed in a good way.
Tailoring your resume to the job requirements is another great way to increase your chances of getting noticed by potential law employers. Start off by clearly matching your experience and qualifications with the open position. This could be listing relevant previous work experiences or highlighting specific skills that are suited to the job. Next, explain why you’re looking for a law job in Colorado and why you want to work specifically for them. Also, avoid sending out a one-size-fits-all resume; instead, craft a different resume for each job you apply to.
In addition to paying attention to your resume and cover letter, there are a few other things you can do to stand out when applying for a law job in Colorado. For example, get familiar with networking; this can make a big difference when it comes to finding work; you may even want to find a mentor to help guide you through the process of scoring your ideal position.
In the end, being smart about your resume and cover letter, networking, and knowing what to expect during an interview are all excellent ways to help yourself move forward in your legal career.
The Future of Legal Employment in Denver
The future of law career opportunities in Denver likely holds both challenges and innovations that will influence the development of the local legal market. Technology continues to shape how lawyers work and interact with clients. Digital document preparation, faster and more accurate legal research, and enhanced communication tools will lead to a further separation between those firms that embrace forward-thinking practices and those that are slow to adapt. Technological competence will no longer be a buzzword for recruiting, it will be a reality. As reliance upon artificial intelligence grows, there is a possibility that fewer lawyers will be needed to complete routine tasks. Perhaps the most highly prized futures in law will be those pursuing a multi-disciplinary path which combines legal expertise with skills in science, engineering, and technology. This is particularly true in Denver, where firms and solo practitioners alike must compete for work from clients in creative industries such as gaming, entertainment, natural sciences, cultural institutions, and philanthropy. An understanding of the laws affecting these areas , in addition to business strategy, will surely inform client interactions. The economic climate in Denver continues to fuel a more customer-centric approach to client relations and collaboration. The demand for greater value on behalf of the consumer persists. Consumer activism on legal fees drives innovation in billing and alternative-fee structures. Attorneys are masters are recognizing and leveraging the utmost value in their work – they are no longer purveyors of legal documents but trusted business partners and strategists. We see many opportunities in the future as the local economy rebounds. Globalization will lead to new forms of corporate activity in new industries. This, in turn, will create a broader demand for transactional lawyers with expertise in complex mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property issues. Technology startups will require legal assistance, and the demand for collaborative lawyers will rise. Expect to see changes in how these lawyers are trained and educated. The future holds a number of exciting changes for law career opportunities in Denver.