As a Dallas-based attorney you should know that partnering with a legal recruiter in Dallas on your next job transition can greatly improve the job search process, and prospects. Not only can a legal headhunter in Dallas work proactively to speak with legal employers in the area about upcoming opportunities, but they can also help to streamline the entire interview and hiring process.
Verified Dallas Area Legal Recruiters
Momentum Search Partners is a Texas legal recruiting and executive search firm specializing in attorney and compliance placements for companies and select law firms.
Need Help Finding a Recruiter?
All Other Dallas Area Legal Recruiting Firms:
Job Opportunities
For lawyers considering a move to the Lone Star State, Dallas Texas, offers myriad career-advancement opportunities. Located in North Central Texas, this fast-paced cosmopolitan city of over 1.3 million residents is now the 9th most populous in the U.S. With its thriving economy and business-friendly atmosphere, Dallas is now positioned as a true global commercial force.
That rapid growth has unleashed new career possibilities for the city’s over 10,000 attorneys, including those that practice at one of Dallas’ over 500 law firms. The average base salary for a lawyer in the greater metro area is $122,778, many of whom practice for, or provide legal support to, the 21 Fortune 500 companies that call Dallas home.
While practicing in the Dallas area, lawyers can take advantage of countless professional career-enrichment opportunities by joining one of these legal organizations:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- North Dallas Bar Association
- Denton County Bar Association
- Dallas Asian American Bar Association
For attorneys interested in teaching law or taking additional coursework, there’s also Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law.
Requirements to Practice Law
To be admitted to the Texas bar, you must have a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school in the U.S. In addition, all attorneys who want to practice in the state of Texas must:
- Pass the Texas Bar Exam
- Pay a bar exam fee. For in-state law students it’s $300, out-of-state law students pay $490, and the fee for attorneys already licensed in another state is $1,040.
- Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) with a scaled score of 85 or above
- Once all those requirements have been met, be sworn in at an official swearing-in ceremony scheduled by the Texas Bar Examiners’ Office.
To keep your law license in Texas, newly licensed attorneys must complete 15 hours of continuing legal education (MCLE) within their first two years. After being licensed for two years, lawyers must then complete 15 more MCLE hours on an annual basis, including 3 hours in legal professional responsibility or legal ethics. All earned MCLE credits must also be reported yearly to the Texas Bar Examiners’ office.
Why Dallas?
Filled with high rise office buildings, designer shops and award-winning restaurants, downtown Dallas has still managed to retain its Southern feel. The city’s vibrant economy is driven by sectors in defense, financial services, telecommunications, transportation and information technologies. Fortune 500 companies based in the area include ExxonMobil, American Airlines, Tenet Healthcare, AT&T, Energy Transfer Equity, Southwest Airlines and Kimberly-Clark.
With all Dallas has to offer, it’s cost-of-living still runs below the national average thanks to housing, food and transportation. The city’s bustling Legal District is located downtown just south of I-30 where I-45 and Cesar Chavez Boulevard converge. Public transportation choices abound thanks to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system’s many bus routes, rail lines, streetcars, shuttles and park-and-ride services.
Some of the better neighborhoods in the Dallas area include Highland Park, Oak Lawn, North Dallas, University Park, Far North, the Main Street District and Bluffview. In addition to its many miles of biking and hiking trails, public parks and plentiful golf courses, other major area attractions include the Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District & Museum, five professional sports franchises, Reunion Tower, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens and George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum.
Dallas’ climate is another one of its strong suits, as residents on average enjoy 234 days of sunshine. It rains in this part of Texas about 78 days per year, and an occasional light wintertime snowfall is possible. Average summer highs run in the high 80s Fahrenheit, with July being the hottest month. Winter lows average in the 40 degree range, with January serving as the coldest month when the average day sees lows around 36 degrees.
Employers
Competition for legal talent is fierce. Gain the advantage and hire with confidence.
Candidates
Your next big opportunity is here.
We can help you find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The candidate pool in Dallas is diverse and highly qualified, bolstered by graduates from local law schools such as Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law and the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law. Dallas attracts legal professionals from across the country due to its robust job market and high quality of life.
The city has a mix of seasoned attorneys and fresh law graduates, offering a broad range of experience and expertise. The legal community in Dallas is also committed to diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in the variety of backgrounds and perspectives within the candidate pool.
Legal positions in corporate law, healthcare law, and intellectual property are particularly in demand in Dallas. The city’s strong business environment, with numerous Fortune 500 companies like AT&T and ExxonMobil, drives the need for corporate attorneys skilled in mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and contract law.
Healthcare law is also critical, given the presence of major healthcare providers like Baylor Scott & White Health and Tenet Healthcare. Additionally, the growing technology and startup scene in Dallas has increased demand for intellectual property lawyers to protect innovations and manage IP portfolios. Employment law attorneys are also sought after due to the city’s diverse and expanding workforce.
Several key industries shape the legal market in Dallas, including telecommunications, healthcare, and energy. The telecommunications sector, with giants like AT&T headquartered in the city, requires extensive legal services for regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions. The healthcare industry, led by major players like Baylor Scott & White Health and Tenet Healthcare, drives demand for legal expertise in healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and medical malpractice.
The energy sector, with companies such as ExxonMobil and pipeline operators, necessitates legal services in environmental law, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, Dallas’s growing tech industry and real estate market significantly contribute to the legal landscape, requiring specialized legal support in intellectual property and real estate law.
Current trends in Dallas are significantly transforming the legal field. The city’s booming technology sector is driving demand for legal expertise in intellectual property and cybersecurity law. Dallas is becoming a hub for startups and tech companies, increasing the need for lawyers skilled in protecting innovations and navigating complex IP regulations.
Additionally, the emphasis on corporate social responsibility and sustainability is influencing environmental and compliance law. Major corporations headquartered in Dallas are focusing on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives, creating more opportunities for legal professionals in these areas. Moreover, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology in legal practices, making remote hearings, digital contracts, and virtual consultations more common.
Remote work has become increasingly prevalent in Dallas’s legal sector, reflecting broader national trends. Many law firms and corporate legal departments have adopted flexible work arrangements, allowing attorneys to work from home or in hybrid models. This shift has influenced compensation structures, with some firms offering location-based pay adjustments to account for remote work flexibility.
The average lawyer salary in Dallas is $101,455, but this can vary depending on the specific practice area and level of experience. Remote work has also expanded opportunities for professional development and client engagement, as legal professionals can now participate in virtual conferences, webinars, and networking events without geographical constraints.
Diversity and inclusion are increasingly prioritized in the Dallas legal sector. Many law firms and legal organizations are implementing initiatives to promote a more inclusive environment. The Dallas Bar Association’s Diversity Committee and the Dallas Asian American Bar Association are actively working to enhance representation and support for minority lawyers. Additionally, firms are creating mentorship programs and inclusive hiring practices aimed at increasing diversity within their ranks.
Events like the Texas Minority Counsel Program and the Dallas Women Lawyers Association’s annual awards ceremony highlight ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. These initiatives reflect a broader commitment within the Dallas legal community to foster a more equitable and representative professional landscape.
