An Introduction to Austin Legal Practices
As Texas’s capital, Austin boasts a diverse legal ecosystem that combines traditional law firms with specialized boutiques and new-age companies that provide legal services. The city is home to a robust community of lawyers that service various areas of the law from corporate and commercial litigation to environmental and health care law, intellectual property, labor and employment and more.
In recent years, the city has witnessed a trend in which many large law firms have established a significant presence in the area. The influx of big law firms into Austin is often attributed to the city’s booming tech industry . Additionally, the region’s affordability, access to a qualified labor pool, friendly legal and regulatory environment, and a number of prestigious universities that attract legal talent to Austin have made big law firms flock to the area.
The prevalence of large law firms in Austin represents a shift in the firm’s strategy as many big law firms used to establish a presence in large markets in order to land big clients. Now, it is important to these firms to have offices in markets like Austin and competitors believe the city’s legal market will continue to grow.
The Top Big Law Firms of Austin
While big law firms are often thought to be located only in major metropolitan areas, there are several well-established national firms located in Austin.
Arnold & Porter, LLP—According to The American Lawyer 2015, Arnold & Porter is the 20th largest firm in the United States. It has more than 1,000 attorneys across 14 offices throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. Arnold & Porter provides top-ranked legal services in too many areas to list individually. Their talent ranges from corporate and IP to environmental law, complex litigation, antitrust, health care and international business transactions.
Baker Botts LLP—Among the 10 largest law firms in the U.S. by revenue, Baker Botts boasts a rich history of providing high-level service to a variety of industries. Founded in 1744, Baker Botts has grown into a firm with more than 750 attorneys. It specializes in intellectual property, litigation, corporate law, real estate and environmental law.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP—After opening its Downtown Austin office in 2014, Kirkland & Ellis has increased its rankings. It has 10 offices in the U.S., 7 in Europe and 2 in Asia. It has more than 2,600 attorneys, with a focus on corporate law, IP, litigation, real estate, life sciences and antitrust.
Morrison & Foerster—While the firm has been around since 1883 and has offices in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, it opened its office in Austin in 2010. Morrison & Foerster, or MoFo, has a strong focus on startups in industries such as life sciences and technology, as well as emerging small and mid-sized companies. It employs about 1,000 attorneys.
Sidley Austin, LLP—One of the largest law firms in the U.S., Sidley Austin offers a broad range of services and expertise, including employee benefits, antitrust, environment, food and beverage, insurance and reinsurance, IP, mergers and acquisitions, telecommunications, real estate and cyber and privacy security.
The following is a list of other notable big law firms in Austin:
Andrews Kurth LLP
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Blick Law Firm
Bracewell
Covington & Burling
Foley & Lardner
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Hunton & Williams
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
K&L Gates LLP
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP
Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend P.C.
Loewenstein Sandler LLP
McKool Smith P.C.
Perkins Coie
Scott Douglass & McConnico, LLP
Summer & Brown
Stacy & Herzog LLP
Thompson & Knight LLP
Vinson & Elkins LLP
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Austin Legal Practices by Legal Service
Among the practice areas that are internationally recognized, particularly in the Texas region, are technology law, real estate, energy, and corporate law. Given the epicenter of technology in Austin and many of the other larger Texas cities, technology law is a heavily sought-after practice area. Start-ups and entrepreneurs are coming from all over the country to get a piece of the action in Austin. The technology practice area has been growing at a rapid pace with no sign of slowing down. Real estate is another popular area of practice. Being that Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, real estate is becoming massively competitive. We have seen many of the leading law firms get into the game. With the climate change ideology continuing to evolve, clean technology is another area that has gained traction over the past several years. Austin has a high concentration of clean energy and hydrogen companies that have sprung to life. A handful of innovative law firms are taking part in this exciting new field. Energy law continues to be a sought-after practice area, with the highest concentration being in Houston. Some law firms are choosing to include energy law under their business law umbrella. Corporate law is something that all of the leading big law firms practice. Corporate law is a large umbrella of legal disciplines for entities with many moving parts. As more and more start-ups are born every day, the supply and demand for competent practitioners will continue to rise.
Why Austin Attracts the Top Big Law Firms
Austin has seen an influx of big law firms in the past few years, with many of them moving up the ranks on the Austin Business Journal’s list of the area’s biggest law firms. But what makes Austin such an attractive option for these companies? The reasons are many: First and foremost, the overall economic growth of Austin has made it an attractive option for legal firms to set up shop in the region. The overall Texas economy, according to U.S. News and World Report, is among the best in the United States, with a steady projection for future growth. U.S. News also reported that Texas has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country .
Another reason is the city’s growing tech industry, including big players such as Google, Apple and Dropbox. The tech industry was the most common field of practice among the largest firms in Austin, according to the Austin Business Journal. These firms have also found themselves scooping up a number of smaller legal organizations in the area, with many of them also opening up more offices throughout the Texas capital city.
Finally, another factor that has lured many companies to the city is the lifestyle that is available to its residents. Austin has been rated among the best cities in the country in which to live, thanks to its weather, opportunities for recreation and vibrant cultural and nightlife scenes.
The Impact of Big Law on Austin
Big Law firms in Austin have not only reshaped the local legal landscape but also have played an important role in contributing positively to the community. Their involvement and influence extend far beyond commercial law, broadening their impact to social, educational, and cultural aspects of Austin.
One of the most significant ways in which big law firms have contributed to the Austin community is through their economic impact. By employing numerous local attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, these firms have created significant employment opportunities for Austin residents. Moreover, the substantial salaries they pay their employees inject vast sums into the local economy, providing a vital source of revenue for local businesses and the city as a whole.
In addition to contributing economically, these firms have also demonstrated a strong commitment to social responsibility. Many have established or become involved in pro bono programs that offer free legal services to those who cannot afford them. For example, firms like Norton Rose Fulbright and Baker Botts have received recognition for their pro bono programs, which help to ensure that access to justice is available to all, regardless of their financial means. This type of engagement underscores the essential role these firms play not only within the legal system but also in the promotion of social equity and justice.
Additionally, big law firms frequently engage in community service projects and initiatives. Organizations such as DLA Piper and Sidley Austin have hosted various community events, fundraisers, and volunteer days to benefit local charities and non-profits. These firms often encourage their employees to participate as well, fostering a culture of service and community involvement.
Partnership with educational institutions has also been a hallmark of big law firms’ contributions to the Austin community. Many of these firms offer internships and mentoring programs for students, from high school through law school. This makes an invaluable contribution to the local talent pool, helping aspiring lawyers gain footing in their future careers. Additionally, these firms often partner with universities and colleges to support research projects and faculty initiatives, providing financial assistance and expertise to further enhance the academic community.
In conclusion, the impact of big law firms in Austin extends well into the local community. Through their economic contributions, pro bono work, community service, and educational initiatives, these firms have established themselves as important players in the social and cultural fabric of the city. Their influence is likely to continue growing as Austin remains an increasingly attractive destination for new residents and entrepreneurs alike.
The Future of Big Law in Austin
As the city of Austin and its population continue to experience growth and development, big law firms will likely face new opportunities and challenges. Among other future trends, big law firms will probably explore more niche areas of law that have high-demand and less competition in the region. In particular, technology and intellectual property industries continue to expand throughout the country and Austin is no different. As such, with both Austin-North and South as heavily tech focused areas, expect to see bigger firms looking for ways to capitalize on the high demand legal work within the growing startup community in Austin, TX. Many young tech companies will benefit from these future trends, considering Austin is a much more affordable city than Silicon Valley and New York City. In a growing city such as Austin , smart lawyers will take advantage of the opportunities to build their practices in a growing market.
The climate for big law firms will likely also benefit from the rise in remote work and opportunities in blockchain and cryptocurrency. Blockchain is not only a topic of interest amongst everyday investors and innovative techies, but also in the legal field. Lawyers will likely be offered opportunities to work with companies involved in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. Information such as contracts, IP and privacy concerns, cybersecurity and licensing issues will all be areas ripe for growth in this emerging industry as well. While its unclear whether the current economy will remain strong and whether it will be a good year for both big law firms and startups, it is clear that technology will play a significant role in the future trends and growth of big law firms in Austin.