Portland, AKA "The City of Roses" is with no doubt Oregon's cultural and commercial epicenter. Besides being home to the country's most significant wildlife park, it is a magnet to big businesses and manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, Li Ning (China's largest footwear manufacturer), Columbia Sportswear, Korkers, and Hi-Tec Sports. Moreover, it is also home to several small and medium enterprises. In light of this, it is easy to see why Portland is one of the most lucrative markets for lawyers in the country. Consequently, many local and international law firms call the city home, making it an ideal place to kick start or advance a law career.
How is the legal market in Portland?
The legal market has experienced substantial growth though it hasn't been as tremendous as with other sectors. Portland's aging population of lawyers who are well into their retirement age drives the demand for legal practitioners. According to Bloomberg, the market should rise in the next few years as more attorneys retire while the economy continues to grow. Firms such as Stoel Rives are recognizing the market boom in Portland and are seeking to address this by adding more legal services to their list of legal services they provide.
How much does an attorney in Portland make?
The average attorney salary in Portland is approximately $100,000, though this can be anywhere in the range of $86,945 to $114, 978. Typically, remunerations depend on several factors, such as the level of education, certifications, additional skills, the law firm your work for, and experience.
Top Law Firms in Portland
Perkins Coie LLP
Perkins Coie is arguably one of the best firms in Portland for several reasons. The firm is a leading entity in the international arena. It has been reputable in providing high value, strategic, and extraordinary solutions to clients for over 100 years now. It has employed over 1100 attorneys who practice law in their 19 offices located across various cities in the United States, Taiwan, and China. Its top legal services include e-commerce, trade regulation, commercial contracts, antitrust, labor, and litigation, among many others. The firm has remained a top choice for some of the biggest brands in the world, among them Boeing company. The firm remains very reputable for its involvement in high-profile cases in the political arena, having represented top political figures. It's the counsel of choice for most Democratic Party members in the US and has represented senior politicians such as Barack Obama, John Kelly, and Hillary Clinton.
Stoel Rives
Stoel Rives is a leading Corporation and litigation firm in the US that has offices in Portland. It operates within the US and has employed over 400 attorneys who work from their 11 offices distributed across 7 US States and the District of Columbia. This top firm has emerged as one of the key providers of legal services on matters of energy, natural resources, climate change, and environment. Besides, the firm provides services on other sectors, among them agribusiness, food and beverages, life sciences, health care, technology, real estate, and intellectual property. They have represented top clients, among them notable companies such as Johnson & Johnson, eBay, Monsanto, Chevron, and shell. Thus with the firm being a leader in regulatory and compliance providers, it would provide an excellent environment for kick-starting or advancing your career.
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
Arnold & Porter is another top law firm with offices in Portland. It boasts over1000 lawyers and several offices in strategic locations across the globe. The firm is renowned for its capability to handle complex transactional and litigation problems in over 30 practice areas. These include but are 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 Portland with a 179-year history under its belt. Though headquartered in Washington DC, Baker Botts is an international law firm with more than 700 lawyers in 14 offices around the world. The firm has built its reputation around life sciences, technology, environmental law, IP, project finance, litigation, and energy sectors.
Bottom Line
If you are thinking of kick-starting or advancing your career in this city, know there are enormous opportunities for career growth. Demand for law firms and lawyers will only increase in the coming years, thus providing considerable opportunities for lawyers. Our list presents only the top law firms in Portland, but you can always check our comprehensive list of the top law firms in PortlandAbout Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
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.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
