Home / Business and Economy / Law Firm Hiring Dips for First Time in a Decade
Law Firm Hiring Dips for First Time in a Decade
6 Aug
Summary
- Entry-level lawyer hires by large U.S. firms fell 7.5% in 2025.
- Federal and public interest job offers for law grads also decreased.
- Smaller class sizes led to high employment rates despite hiring shifts.
The number of entry-level lawyers hired by major U.S. law firms decreased in 2025 for the first time since 2014. Firms with 500 or more employees hired 7.5% fewer new associates, marking a notable shift in their staffing strategies. Federal government positions for law graduates fell by 37%, while public interest roles saw a nearly 14% reduction.
These declines reflect a challenging job market for new lawyers. Factors contributing to this trend include disruptions in federal employment, shrinking funding for public interest organizations, and the growing influence of generative AI. Industry experts suggest AI tools may lessen the demand for junior associates performing routine tasks.
Despite the overall hiring decrease, the law school class of 2025 experienced a strong job market. They achieved the second-highest employment rate on record, with 93% of graduates finding employment, due to a reduced class size. This marks a significant success for the graduates entering the profession.
