Considering that Washington, DC is home to the federal government, there are lots of opportunities for both novice and professional lawyers. A considerable number of government agencies, departments, and contractors drive the high demand for law practitioners. As a result of these abundant opportunities, Washington, DC, is the largest legal market in the US, with nine times more attorneys than New York. If you are considering testing the waters in DC, find solace in knowing that it is one of the most lucrative markets for legal practitioners. To help you make an informed decision, we decided to write about a few of the best law firms in Washington, DC, but you can always look up our comprehensive directory of the top law firms in DC in this post.

How Is the Legal Market in Washington DC?

Legal practice in Washington, DC, is often closely related to governmental work, with the main emphasis on administrative law. Therefore, for a lawyer looking to specialize in regulatory and corporate practice, DC is indeed the place to be. And that’s not all. DC also offers some of the best remunerations for lawyers in the country. As of February 26^th, 2020, the average salary for an attorney in DC was $142,865. However, the range fluctuates between $120,572 and $166,959 depending on several factors such as experience, special skills, level of education, and certifications.
 

The Best Law Firms in Washington, DC

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
 

Comprising of notable consultants and attorneys, some of whom have been members of congress, this law firm has established an outstanding reputation for its personalized law services in Washington and beyond. Though it is traditionally famous as a creditors practice law firm, it also offers a broad spectrum of law services such as healthcare, tax, trade, environment, and Native American law.


Covington & Burling LLP
 

Covington & Burling has been a significant player in Washington DC’s legal market since 1919, but it has expanded its reach to other states in the US and even has offices in Asia and Europe. With its team of over 900 attorneys, the firm serves clients in a wide array of industries. Their significant practice encompasses investigations, litigation, and corporate practices specializing in complex business problems, disputes, and deals.

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
 

Arnold & Porter is another top law firm in Washington, DC. It boasts over1000 lawyers and several offices in strategic locations across the globe. The firm is renowned for its capability to handle intricate transactional and litigation problems in over 30 practice areas. These include but not limited to corporate finance, bankruptcy, litigation, real estate, intellectual property, and tax.

Baker Botts
 

Baker Botts is arguably one of the best law firms in Washington, DC, an international law firm with more than 700 lawyers in 14 offices around the world and a 179-year history under its belt. The firm has built its reputation around life sciences, technology, environmental law, I.P., project finance, litigation, and energy sectors.

Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
 

Boies Schiller Flexner LLP is a leading international dispute resolution firm with its main offices in Washington, DC. It is famous for winning sophisticated and high-risk disputes that other firms in its caliber have failed. Owing to its reputation, it has become the go-to law firm for U.K. and US financial institutions, corporations, investment funds, and governments when it comes to handling arbitrations, multi-jurisdictional litigations, and investigations.

Dechert
 

Dechert has over 1000 employees and 26 offices across the globe, making it one of the biggest firms not only in Washington, DC but also in the US. Moreover, the firm boasts some of the world’s leading attorneys who specialize in cross-border litigations. In DC, it offers a wide array of legal services and specializes in litigation, investigations, financial services, finance, intellectual property, arbitration, corporate, and securities transactions.

Hogan Lovells US LLP
 

Established in 2010, after a merger of London’s Lovells and Hogan & Hartson, this law firm has risen to become one of the best law firms in the United States, ranking 7^th in the country. In its arsenal are 45 offices in 6 continents and over 2800 attorneys who specialize in several practice areas such as transactional law, litigation, tax, government regulatory, and intellectual property, among others.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
 

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is an international law firm established in 1890. With over 200 years under its belt, 20 offices across the globe, and 2200 staff, it is arguably one of the best law firms in Washington, DC, that you can work for. Moreover, it serves clients from several industries specializing in securities, appellate, private equity, antitrust, real estate, and M&A, among others.

DLA Piper
 

DLA Piper is another top law firm in Washington, DC. Besides operating in the US, it serves international clients from its 40 offices located around the world. As of now, it is the third-largest firm in the US in terms of revenue. DLA Piper provides legal services in several areas. Still, the most notable include corporate crime, arbitration, banking, corporate finance, competition and trade, hospitality and leisure, employment, energy, insurance, government affairs, and intellectual property, among others.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Deciding where to kick start or advance your law career is an essential aspect of your professional life. Since different states and cities offer various options in terms of settings and practice areas, it is indispensable that you make a choice that meets your needs and preferences. If none of the law firms in this post interested you for any reason, you could have a look at our comprehensive catalog of the best law firms in Washington DC in this post.


About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.