Salt Lake City Legal Sector Overview
Salt Lake City’s legal landscape is as diverse as its population, a mix of cultures and traditions that have influenced Utah’s legal community. As the hub of the legal profession in the state, many top law firms are headquartered in the city, and a variety of firms operate across every dimension of the law. This dynamic legal community is bolstered by the diverse economic landscape in Salt Lake City and the larger Wasatch Front region. The city has a strong tech sector that rivals other national hotspots in the industry, and many businesses are attracting legal talent equipped to serve clients with complex business problems. At the same time, Salt Lake City is the cultural heart of Utah, one that has recently seen unprecedented growth in tourism, entertainment and hospitality, which makes it a center for real estate law practices as well.
In 2018, the United States Census Bureau reported the population of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area at nearly 1.2 million people. As the state capital, Salt Lake City is the most populous city in Utah and serves as the seat of Salt Lake County. Both the greater metropolitan area and Salt Lake County are economically and socially connected to the neighboring and surrounding counties. According to 2017 estimates by the Bureau of Economic Analysis , the two counties combined produced $36.6 billion in the state’s total GDP of $174.3 billion. This growth has created a demand for many legal service providers including those specializing in insurance, real estate, technology and employment and labor law, while also expanding the need for vital services in bankruptcy, family law, criminal law and other personal legal matters.
For many prospective business law clients, the Wasatch Front is a significant draw, thanks to the connection of much of the state’s population in an expansive continuum of communities. Not only does this make Salt Lake City easy to get around through public and private transportation, but its regionalization draws on the local expertise of a strong legal profession and connects it to a variety of clients. According to the Utah State Bar, Salt Lake County houses more than 40 percent of the state’s lawyers, as well as more than 10 percent of Utah’s total accounting professionals. As the state’s most populous and diverse county, Salt Lake County has attracted not only top corporate law firms, but consumer-oriented legal providers who serve the complex needs of the governmental, non-profit and professional sectors that help drive the economy.
Top Large Law Firms in Salt Lake City
Large law firms, especially those with their headquarters in Salt Lake City, have deep roots in the state and the region. They have played a pivotal role in helping business in Utah and throughout the U.S. navigate complex commercial issues and gain access to capital and markets.
Big firm presence. A large number of national firms have large offices in Salt Lake City, making it one of the largest legal centers for national firms outside of the East and West coasts. Some of these firms have acquired other practices in Salt Lake, which accounts for high numbers when it comes to the number of lawyers in an office. For example:
• Snell & Wilmer, based in Phoenix, has offices in 10 cities in five states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah. The firm has 12 offices in the U.S., Mexico and Guam, employing more than 400 attorneys.
• Holland & Hart hired a number of attorneys, including Peter Ehrenpreis, a former national tax controversy practice chair at Baker McKenzie, in 2019, making its Salt Lake City office, located at City Creek Center, Holland & Hart’s largest office.
• As part of a merger with Atlanta-based Smith Gambrell & Russell in 2018, SGR opened a new office in Salt Lake City, branding it as SGR | SGR. The merger expanded SGR’s national footprint to 11 cities and 10 states.
• Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a Salt Lake City office. It has been named one of the top 40 law firms by the National Law Journal in the U.S.
• Littler Mendelson P.C., a national employment and labor law firm, has a Salt Lake City office. Founded in 1942, it has grown to 1,500 attorneys with offices in 80 locations in four countries.
• McGuireWoods has had a Salt Lake City office since 2009, after acquiring the business law practice of local firm, Durham Jones and Pinegar, allowing the firm to expand its service capabilities throughout the Intermountain West. McGuireWoods is one of the largest full-service law firms in the U.S.
Largest Practice Areas Among Top Law Firms
The top law firms in Salt Lake City offer a broad range of services in key practice areas. One of the most prevalent areas is corporate law, which includes business formation, compliance, licensing, and transactional work. Corporate law requires an in-depth understanding of state and federal regulations as well as local standards that are specific to Utah. Family law is another major area of focus, and includes both divorce and child custody/family mediation. Lawyers with significant family law experience know how to navigate the court systems, as well as the policies that affect custodial and financial matters.
Litigation is another key practice area, although the focus may vary by firm. Some firms specialize in commercial litigation, while others focus on civil litigation that involves personal injury or insurance disputes. Tax and estate planning is also a crucial practice area, since corporations as well as individuals frequently require tax guidance, asset protection strategies, transfer of assets, and estate administration services. This is another practice area where attorneys must have in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws, as well as local laws that may affect trusts, estates, business entities, and other assets.
Salt Lake City Legal Sector Growth
While still an emerging market nationally, the Salt Lake City legal scene has experienced significant growth in recent years. As one of the largest metropolitan areas in the western United States, the need for a diverse array of services, ranging from basic legal representation to complex transactional support, has increased. A few key trends are driving that growth.
One of the most notable trends is the emergence of regional powerhouses in the market. In the past few years, larger firms and even some national firms have opened or grown their presence in Salt Lake City. Most notable was the opening of the Holland & Hart office in 2018. The firm made a splash when it quickly hired eight partners from a top local firm, as well as two other partners from a separate firm. The addition of those partners made Holland & Hart a significant player in the legal market, at least in terms of size. The firm has also grown its support staff significantly. Today, Holland & Hart has 18 attorneys and an even larger staff in Salt Lake City.
Although less impactful than the Holland & Hart entrance, another big addition to the market was the arrival of Winston & Strawn, a Chicago-based national firm. Winston opened its Salt Lake City office in November 2019 with just one attorney. The office now has two attorneys but is expected to grow as the firm looks to add more in anticipation of increased work from recent Imation related litigation it is involved in.
Other notable developments included Snell & Wilner, a national firm, adding six attorneys and hiring an office manager, and Lewis Roca, a Phoenix-based firm, expanding with the addition of three attorneys. Other firms have also added partners and associates during the past couple of years.
The Salt Lake City market has not only impressed with its growth in the important areas of financial restructuring and litigation , but there has also been a noticeable expansion in environmental litigation, intellectual property, healthcare, and corporate practices. The growth in those areas reflects the overall expansion of the local economy, as those areas support many local businesses.
Ogletree, which opened a branch in 2018, has seen great success since entering the market. The firm was the first employment firm in the city and immediately increased the competition in that area. With a strong book of business and an innovative business model, Ogletree has already added three attorneys with plans to add more in the future. Although the national trends suggesting that Ogletree and employers will be facing rising rates of employment litigation in the coming years may encourage other forms of employment litigation growth, there has been no other notable national firm entries into the employment practice area.
In addition to Ogletree, international firms have opened in Salt Lake City during the past couple of years. Squire Patton Boggs, a firm with a long history of competing on the international stage, has entered the market. With its success in Salt Lake City, Squire will now have three U.S. offices. The firm opened its new Salt Lake City office in April of 2018. So far, Squire has seven attorneys in its Salt Lake City Office.
International and national firms involve themselves in local markets for a variety of reasons, but a few of the most common include 1) to deepen ties with existing clients who still have important business in the local market, 2) to acquire local clients in another market where they are already successful, and 3) to provide additional services to local clients. In the case of Salt Lake City, national firms have entered for reasons two and three.
How Large Law Firms Affect the Local Economy
The presence of large law firms in any region can have a considerable impact on the local economy. In the case of Salt Lake City, these firms contribute in multiple ways to the socio-economic growth of the community they are firmly planted in. These law firms provide high-paying and steady jobs which support the local economy. Lawyers entering the job market can expect to land a spot at a large firm rather quickly. Entry-level associates with a law degree from a top tier law school can expect to make upwards of $150,000, and even more if they have a recruiting bonus (which is about $75,000). With this kind of salary, associates can patronize numerous local businesses on their lunch breaks and weekends. On a slightly larger scale, large law firms often throw events within the city which require venue rentals, food services, drinking establishments, and other service providers. Yet another opportunity for local businesses to make some money. As with most businesses, large law firms also provide benefits to the local economy by creating jobs for people who may not work directly for the firm. Firms employ office administrators, janitors, delivery drivers, and other support personnel all of whom need to be paid. Additionally, these firms offer lunch during long hours and business trips, and will often choose local restaurants and catering businesses in order to give back to their local communities.
How to Choose the Best Law Firms
In the quest to find the right legal representation, choosing a law firm that aligns with specific needs is paramount. When selecting a law firm in Salt Lake City, individuals and businesses alike should consider a number of factors, including the firm’s expertise in the relevant area of law, its track record of success, and the reviews or testimonials from past clients.
Expertise is essential. It’s important to find a law firm that has substantial experience in the relevant area of law. Whether seeking counsel on corporate matters, real estate, employment law, intellectual property, family law, or a criminal attorney, ensuring the firm has deep knowledge and understanding of the relevant laws and regulations is critical.
Track record is another key consideration . The law firm’s past successes and experiences can provide insight into the quality of its services. Awards and accolades can reflect a commitment to excellence and a client satisfaction guarantee, and reading third-party reviews, ratings, and testimonials can give a fuller picture of what it’s like to work with the firm.
Finally, cost should be factored into the decision. Legal representation can be costly, so it’s crucial to define the scope of legal counsel being sought and have a clear understanding of how fees will be structured. A range of options exists, so it’s best to look for a good fit.
By considering these various factors, individuals and businesses can choose the right law firm for their needs in Salt Lake City.