Overview: The Legal Market in Raleigh
Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, has a dynamic and growing business community that has made it a hub for professionals across various sectors. Among these, the legal profession holds a prominent position, with a host of law firms providing essential services to both individuals and businesses. For aspiring lawyers and legal professionals, being recognized as one of the largest law firms in Raleigh is a significant achievement that underscores their expertise and prominence in the region’s robust legal landscape.
The city is not just the governmental seat of North Carolina; it is also home to numerous private firms, government agencies, and non-profit legal organizations that contribute to its status as a significant legal hub. The Raleigh-Durham area, which includes neighboring Durham , has seen exponential growth and expansion over the past few decades, leading to a corresponding increase in demand for high-quality legal services.
Large law firms in Raleigh offer a range of services, from corporate law and intellectual property to family law and real estate. Many of these firms have earned a reputation for providing top-notch services to their clients in various legal disciplines, making Raleigh a destination for both legal talent and prospective clients alike.
Through innovative practices, extensive legal networks, and a commitment to professional development, the largest Raleigh law firms maintain their status as leaders in the North Carolina legal community. Moreover, they provide an avenue for those passionate about the law to pursue their careers and contribute to the rich tapestry of legal work that characterizes this thriving city.
Top Law Firms in Raleigh Ranked by Size
Raleigh Facts – Largest Law Firms in Raleigh by Size
1. Nexsen Pruet
Total attorneys: 190
Practice areas:
Criminal Law: 10
Employment Law: 15
Estate Planning: 29
Government: 19
Insurance: 7
Intellectual Property: 35
Labor and Employment: 28
Litigation: 31
Personal Injury: 11
Public Policy & Political: 12
Special Needs/Elder Law: 8
2. Williams Mullen
Total attorneys: 164
Practice areas:
Business Law: 24
Corporate Law: 6
Disability Discrimination: 5
Elder Law: 6
Employment: 24
Franchise: 5
Govenment Relations: 9
Insurance Law: 4
Intellectual Property: 27
Labor Law: 4
Litigation: 19
Real Estate /Land Use: 23
Taxation: 14
3. Smith Anderson
Total attorneys: 150
Practice areas: Corporate
Intellectual Property
Labor & Employment
Litigation
Real Estate
Health Care
4. Hunton & Williams
Total attorneys: 104
Practice areas: Banking
Business Litigation
Environmental, Regulatory & Energy
Public Policy & Government Affairs
Health & Pharmaceuticals
Intellectual Property
Insurance
Investment Funds
Real Estate Finance
Restructuring & Receivership
5. Jackson Lewis
Total attorneys: 80
Practice areas: Discrimination
Disability
Drug Testing
Harassment
Workplace Privacy
6. Bell, Davis & Pitt
Total attorneys: 67
Practice areas: Litigation
Corporate
Banking
Real Estate
Energy
Healthcare
Real Estate
Transportation
7. Kilpatrick Townsend
Total attorneys: 50
Practice areas: Litigation
Intellectual Property
Bankruptcy & Restructuring
Real Estate Investment Services
Tax
Labor & Employment
Class Action Litigation
Public Finance
Insurance, Surety & Reinsurance
8. Brooks Pierce
Total attorneys: 41
Practice areas: Corporate Law
Commercial Litigation
Intellectual Property and Technology
Labor and Employment
Real Property Law
Securities
Estate Planning and Administration
9. Carter, Schiffers & Tolson
Total attorneys: 25
Practice areas: Criminal Justice
Family Law Practice
Insurance Defense
Business and Contract Litigation
Personal Injury Defense
Construction Defect/Contractor Defense
10. Block, Crouch, Keeter and Beasley
Total attorneys: 24
Practice areas: Civil & Criminal Trial Law
Personal Injury Defense
Professional Liability Defense
Insurance Coverage
Governmental Law
Noteworthy Litigation and Milestones
The largest law firms in Raleigh have successfully handled many high-profile cases and made several wide-reaching contributions in their various areas of practice. For instance, one firm that specializes in business and corporate litigation had a massive $450 million case where multiple class action lawsuits consolidated into a single lawsuit against a major biotech company. Their work in structuring and conducting the trial was so impressive that it earned them and their client a top five spot in Benchmark Litigation’s "2015 North Carolina General Counsel Impact Case."
Another renowned Raleigh firm earned a place on US News & World Report’s "Best Lawyers" list thanks to their work in merger law. "We provided support to several 10-figure pharmaceutical industry acquisitions," wrote the publication. The same firm has also been internationally recognized for litigation, transactions, real estate, environmental issues, and intellectual property.
On the other end of the spectrum, smaller firms in Raleigh have received awards for providing their clients with an exceptional level of service at reasonable rates. "These smaller firms haven’t been recognized as frequently as they should be," wrote another legal analyst. "That’s why we’ve included them in our list of the best law firms in Raleigh."
Prominent Practice Areas
Some of the largest law firms in Raleigh, North Carolina, focus on providing legal services for a number of specialized segments of business law. From construction law and corporate transactions to employment and labor issues, these firms have well-rounded attorneys with significant experience across a variety of practice areas, including: Elder Law and Estate Planning – This area of practice encompasses both elder law and estate planning, helping clients with drafting wills and trusts, avoiding will contests and handling estate administration. Corporate Law – Many of the largest law firms in the area, such as Raleigh’s long-established Smith Anderson, make their living from their corporate law practice, handling mergers and acquisitions, executory contracts, employment contracts and more. Construction and Real Estate – From contract drafting and negotiations to disputes over insurance coverage and defective construction, Raleigh’s big business and infrastructure development makes this an area in which many large law firms specialize. Civil Litigation – This broad area covers everything from negotiations and pre-trial litigation to trials and appeals. In addition to general civil litigation, some firms also specialize in areas of employment law, including discrimination, wage and hour claims and wrongful termination. Intellectual Property – From advising clients through the patent process to trademark registration, intellectual property is an important area for both established businesses and startups, and it is an area that some of the larger law firms in Raleigh have become known for. Employment and Labor – This area of the law is very specific, but it is where many of the largest law firms in the area have made a name for themselves. Assisting businesses with obtaining workers’ compensation coverage, negotiating employee contracts or even drafting employment policies is important to keeping a business competitive and compliant.
Growth and Expansion in the Legal Sector
Over the past couple of decades, the evolution of the largest law firms in Raleigh has been nothing short of remarkable. Initially, when you look at a list of the largest law firms in the mid-1990s, the landscape looks somewhat sparse. In many ways, the growth that we have seen over the course of the last quarter-century or so can largely be tied to systematic mergers and acquisitions to create some of the most prominent names at the local level. Some of the biggest brands in the state such as Kilpatrick Townsend, Womble Carlyle, Poyner Spruill, and Ward and Smith were built through adroit strategic mergers. At the same time, there is an abundance of large law firms that have maintained their independence and have yet to seek out a merger on the level of these aforementioned firms. To this point, the 2000s saw a massive expansion of several large and mid-size firms in the Raleigh area, only to see a similar stagnation ensue during the 2010s . The result is a stalemate of sorts, with many firms opting to stand pat as the legal market in North Carolina remains remarkably stable in light of national trends. Part of this stability can be traced back to the emergence of North Carolina as a business hub. With solid metrics in terms of population growth, economic vitality and established industries in pharmaceuticals, financial services and technology, the state has emerged as one of the most desirable places to live and work, providing a solid foundation on which so many law firms have been built. From the perspective of the Attorney at the Atlanta Recruiters, our focus is on helping law firms find the right candidates to suit their needs. We have worked with a variety of firms across the country and have provided them with attorneys at both the lateral and equity levels.
Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
Diversity and inclusion efforts in organizations serve a dual purpose: they foster an inclusive environment while also enriching the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The largest law firms in Raleigh have invested significant resources into their initiatives, which generally include the following:
Affinity groups focus on creating high-growth spaces for lawyers and professional staff from diverse backgrounds. Members come together while the firm hosts events aimed at building relationships and providing networking opportunities. The groups found in largest law firms in Raleigh range in affinity and each hosts events throughout the year. The groups may also be referred to as networks, alliances, or professional networks.
Law firms recognize that diversity initiatives are crucial to employee retention, especially when it comes to female attorneys. The firms offer flexible schedules, paid parental leave, and mentorship programs to make the workplace more appealing to its talented women lawyers.
The largest law firms in Raleigh are committed to recruiting women and minority candidates through a variety of programs. From scholarships for underrepresented students to formal client partnerships that focus on diversity in the legal profession, these firms are well-equipped to attract top talent.
Firms are reporting their statistics to the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and the National Diversity Council (NDC) as a way to track their progress and identify areas for improvement. They look to NALP for comprehensive recruiting and hiring benchmarks, while the NDC provides annual diversity statistics.
Opportunities at Leading Law Firms
Several of the large Raleigh based law firms present from time to time employment opportunities for highly qualified third year law and second year law students. Most of these firms engage in extensive on-campus interviewing taking place in September of the 2L year. Others have specific fellowship programs that have application deadlines many months in advance, and some of these firms prefer applicants with strong ties to the North Carolina area. In any event, prospective summer clerks must plan in advance if they wish to pursue positions with these high profile firms.
In addition to full-time and summer associate positions, companies such as Morris Manning & Martin, Alston & Bird, Campbell Law, Nelson Mullins, Smith Anderson, Jones & Pike Marketing Group, 646 & Co., Gregory Poole Equipment Company, Morgan Dempsey Marketing Group, Crown Acura, NC Legal Services, Paul Chrisman Law, Vaco Atlanta, S. Isaac Design & Construction, 600Beach and Pinecrest Plaza have recruited and/or hired Campbell Law School graduates as part-time research assistants. There may even be more opportunities for Campbell Law School graduates through non-legal staff positions.
Trends and Forecasts in Raleigh’s Legal Market
Technological advancements are shaping the future landscape of Raleigh’s largest law firms. As with other cities, Raleigh firms are investing in cutting-edge technologies to streamline operations, stay competitive, and deliver superior client service. Automation tools, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are now common in legal processes ranging from document discovery to contract review. While these innovations promise to reduce overhead and increase efficiency, they also pose challenges for attorneys and staff who must adapt to new systems and processes.
Another major influence on the future of Raleigh law firms is the evolving regulatory landscape. One significant challenge is the growing complexity of legal compliance across different jurisdictions. As more businesses operate internationally and across state borders, Raleigh law firms must be equipped to handle cases that involve multiple legal systems. This complexity requires regional firms to continue expanding their expertise and networks of alliances with foreign firms and attorneys.
Raleigh law firms must also be prepared to navigate increased regulatory complexity and compliance requirements. In addition to competition from national firms that may have deeper resources , Raleigh firms must also stay abreast of emerging legal and regulatory issues affecting their clients’ industries, thanks to rapid technological advances and new regulations. This more complex environment may entail traditionally non-legal activities such as government relations and policy advocacy.
Market dynamics also serve as a major force in determining the future of Raleigh’s largest law firms. The market for legal services continues to evolve and mature, creating opportunities for proactive firms. Those that can successfully differentiate themselves through their practice areas, technologies, and approach to client service can further cement their positions as market leaders in the region.
As Raleigh’s legal marketplace matures, law firms will also face increased pressure to demonstrate their value to clients. Many firms are responding by investing in alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) to provide more pricing clarity, flexibility, and transparency. This trend is also pushing firms to enhance their metrics and data analytics capabilities to better track and demonstrate their performance and value to clients.
In conclusion, the future of Raleigh’s largest law firms is being influenced by a range of trends including technological advances, regulatory complexity, and market dynamics.