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The Legal State of
Texas
Attorney jobs in Texas are plentiful; The
Lone Star State sits in the hot bed of controversy regarding
illegal immigration and deportation of convicted aliens. Houston,
Texas is the fourth largest city in the United States and boasts
some great law firms to work for that range in size from two
attorneys to over 400 hundred; many larger firms have offices
around the world. Some firms are older and have been established
before the 1900s giving them a steeped tradition of practicing law
before many cities were built. Although they helped develop many
types of law they are forward moving and represent Fortune 500
companies as well as small businesses. Texas has some great law
schools to recruit from and many employers seek second year law
students for interviews.
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The legal job outlook for Texas is always growing and expanding
to different areas. Real estate has always been a great practice
area for attorneys to work in, businesses are being developed and
land is needed to help those businesses grow. Immigration has been
on the forefront since Texas borders Mexico. Intellectual property
has seen growth due to law suits being filed regarding ideas for
designs being copied or stolen and marketed without permission from
the creator. The practice of energy law has seen this field become
one of the best for attorney jobs in Texas because of pollution
laws and our countries ability to harness renewable energy for
consumers.
Depending on your experience your salary will vary. Smaller firms
will pay less, many starting at $50,000; larger firms who have more
clients tend to pay more, some start at $125,000 and range up to
$160,000. Summer associates can usually make $62,000; again, it
depends on the firm's size and their client list. There are many
benefits that are offered with larger firms, some have sign-on
bonuses and holiday bonuses. Many have insurance, 401Ks, and paid
parking. Some other perks include paid CLE classes and relocation
expenses. Some firms even pay bar association fees. Government jobs
are based on GS levels and those are determined by experience as
well.
The top practice legal areas in Texas are corporate, most business
aspects being found in Dallas and Houston. Corporate revolves
around bankruptcy and administrative issues. Energy counsel is one
of the best attorney jobs in Texas; oil and gas exploration always
keeps this area at the forefront. Real estate is always booming in
Texas, laws regarding construction are constantly being used to
propel growth; Dallas, El Paso and Houston see the most
progression. Intellectual property is different for each region,
electronics all the way to space exploration can be practiced, and
even patents fall under this category.
Another top practice area for attorney jobs in Texas is
international law; Texas is exploring global businesses as well as
Latin American businesses. Agricultural law is a staple of Texas.
Cattle, farming, and now a rise in wine production has brought this
type of law back to common practice, and El Paso and San Antonio
have seen the biggest demand. Employment law is always a front
runner for practicing. Job descriptions are changing and employee
handbooks need constant updating. Dallas and Houston have seen the
most growth in employment so right now those areas are requiring
experienced attorneys. Governmental law has seen a rise in zoning
and federal laws regarding local law enforcement. Educational law
is always a popular practice area since immigration and student
rights are often used as political issues. Healthcare is also an
important issue because of immigration, HMO's coverage and laws
regarding hospital procedures are being written to help hospitals;
San Antonio often dominates this area.
Houston is the largest city in Texas. With a population of two
million people it is a metropolis and it is called home by some of
the biggest law firms in the state. Houston has branches to many
corporations such as BP, and LDH Energy. Corporate attorney jobs in
Texas are very popular and often sought after since one could
become house counsel or a staff attorney. These positions require
an attorney to work in close contact with other departments in
drafting contracts for other business ventures. Energy law is also
an area where an attorney can work with other energy companies all
over the world. Some experience is required, usually a minimum of
5-8 years and knowledge of EPA standards are a must. Salary is
dependent upon experience and many attorneys who work for energy
companies enjoy stock options.
Dallas is the second largest city and branches to many businesses
such as Progressive Insurance. Healthcare is also a practice area
that has many legal positions available. Real estate is always a
booming business with land ownership laws being challenged every
day.
San Antonio has seen a rise in labor and employment law. This is
usually coupled with employee benefits. Since San Antonio has a
large population like Dallas, attorney jobs in Texas are becoming
available to meet the demands of a growing city.
Austin has many tax attorney jobs listed. Some are in-house
positions and some require working with other companies involving
public finance. El Paso law firms work with the United States
Department of Homeland Security which deals with border security
and bio-defense.
In conclusion, attorney jobs in Texas are plentiful if you know
where to look. Environmental law, corporate, bankruptcy, and
immigration are the fastest growing practice areas. Experience is
required for many of the higher paying legal positions. What you
know can set you apart and give you an edge when seeking a change
of scenery if you are planning to move to Texas. |
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