Portland Legal Market Statistics
Oregon, and Portland in particular, is home to an ever-growing legal market. The state has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing law firm markets in the nation, with a 5.2% growth in demand for legal services from 2012 to 2018. While this growth shows signs of leveling off, demand for legal services remains strong in the Pacific Northwest.
The same is true for law firm employment in Portland. Portland has experienced a steady increase in law firm employment as the size of the market continues to expand. This has led to a corresponding increase in the overall attorney workforce in Oregon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 12,450 lawyers working in Oregon in May 2018. Early in 2020 , the state’s lawyer industry was expected to add 340 new positions, or 3% of Oregon lawyers, by 2028.
These statistics reflect a major shift in Portland’s legal market over the last four decades. In the early days, mediocre growth in both firm count and attorney count was accompanied by a high degree of competition among its firms. "Today, the largest size of firms in Portland is about 50 attorneys, meaning there are virtually no large-firm opportunities," summarizes Janet Smith of BCG Attorney Search in Thompson Reuters’ Legal Blog. "This creates fierce competition on the partner level, but once you reach 50 attorneys, competition stays relatively small."
Ranking Methodology
To be ranked among the largest firms by number of attorneys, firms must have 29 or more lawyers with Portland and surrounding areas as their primary office locations. You will also find this ranking includes 3 of the top 5 largest law firms in the Pacific Northwest (the other 2 are in Seattle). If a firm has a head office outside of Portland, then the number of Portland lawyers will be used. This is why Perkins Coie (Seattle head office, 18 Portland lawyers), and Bennett Hartman (New York head office, 19 Portland lawyers), made our top 10 list. All law firm information on the 10 largest firms is taken from Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubbell is considered to be one of the most reputable and comprehensive resources for attorney information. In addition to the number of Portland area attorneys, this guide looks at the number of partners supported by associates and counsel. This typically highlights the size of the firm’s practice groups. Martindale-Hubbell only reports the number of attorneys that are full-time employees. They do not recognize contract attorneys. Therefore, ranks and attorney numbers from Martindale-Hubbell are conservative, and can be considered as representing the lowest total. In addition, there are no sole practitioners listed among the top 10 largest local firms. The smallest firm to make the list is Swanson, Thomas & Coon with 29 total lawyers.
The Top Law Firm – Firm 1
Firm 1 has been a leading law firm in Portland, Oregon for many years. Originally founded in the 19th century, this firm has withstood the test of time and continues to serve a wide range of clients. It is considered a multipurpose law firm and specializes in various practice areas. The firm consists of a highly skilled team of attorneys, including litigators, transactional lawyers, and regulatory specialists. Over the years, they have successfully handled complex corporate transactions and an ever-increasing number of global disputes. Their lawyers are experienced in advising on various local and international matters. Their experience has made the firm sophisticated in the area of insurance matters. Many of their attorneys have extensive international experience and can assist clients in various practice areas, including general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, real estate, and environmental law. With its firm foundation and years of experience representing numerous businesses, this law firm stands as the largest and one of the most respected law firms in Portland, Oregon.
The Second Largest Firm – Firm 2
Two years ago, the firm rolled out a new brand identity that was designed to reflect its growing clientele and demographic diversity. The new design showcased the firm’s innovation and incorporation of sophisticated technology, combined with an overarching dedication to client service. Firm 2 places a high premium on its role as advisors of its clients, helping them navigate through the complexities of their legal matters. It aims to be a full-service firm for its clients, as more and more companies look to a single legal service provider, rather than several different firms to handle various issues. Firm 2 has more than 300 attorneys operating in seven offices across six international destinations. In addition to its headquarters in Portland, it has offices in Seattle, New York City, Singapore, San Francisco, and London. Its revenue totals over $1 billion annually – with more than a third of that amount coming from its corporate law division.
The Third Largest Firm – Firm 3
Firm 3 ranks third in size among the top law firms in Portland, with 45 attorneys dedicated to serving their clients. This five-star law firm specializes in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, family law, civil rights, and business transactions and filings. Firm 3 also has an associates program where they offer mentorship and guidance to aspiring attorneys who have recently graduated and passed the bar before they become partners. This program is one of the best in the state, offering them hands-on experience as they work for the clients to help them resolve their legal matters. This firm has extensive experience in insurance defense as well, following the previous trend of the top law firms in Portland.
Other Large Law Firms
When considering some of the other notable large law firms in Portland that nonetheless comprise the top ten, we have:
Courtney, Heinfeld & Deich, LLP is a twenty-three attorney practice centered on serving the legal needs of the Pacific Northwest’s real estate development, construction and financing industry. The firm offers a variety of services, including construction law, corporate governance, land use and zoning, and environmental law. They have a number of industry groups that bring their specialized knowledge to bear, such as those focusing on construction law and government contracting.
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national powerhouse with a very strong presence in Portland. The Portland office’s fifty-three attorneys focus on a variety of areas. Their corporate law practice covers business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. They have a labor and employment practice, representing employers and management on both a transactional and ongoing advisory basis. Their regulatory and administrative law group encompasses both litigation and advice, in areas such as energy and environmental law. Their litigation group develops strategies for a full range of dispute types, encompassing employment, intellectual property, and class actions. They also have a large telecommunications practice, representing clients in both transactional work and litigation.
Keller Rohrback LLP has six offices across the United States, with a Portland office that handles employment defense, employee benefits, consumer protection, transportation, and insurance coverage cases . Keller Rohrback’s Seattle office has a national class action practice that regularly handles cases in multimillion dollar claims in many industries, such as pharmaceuticals and energy. The Portland office is also home to a tax practice that can assist with tax planning, succession planning, and probate and estate administration.
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP has thirty-two lawyers in its Portland office, and is a large, national firm with a well-established presence in Oregon. The firm’s Portland office specializes in construction law, employment defense, environmental law, general business transactions and litigation, health care, insurance, intellectual property, product liability, and product safety.
Markowitz Herbold, P.C. has over twenty-five attorneys across five practice areas. Their Commercial Litigation Group frequently represents clients in proceedings from trial through to appeal. The firm maintains a robust Intellectual Property Litigation Group that represents both domestic and international clients. Their Employment Litigation Group represents only employers, and they have a multi-disciplinary Construction Group that represents owners, contractors, and suppliers.
Miller Nash Graham & Davenport LLP has a forty-five attorney Portland office that is noted for its tax, construction, employment, immigration, and environmental practices, and a growing corporate practice. The firm also has a well-respected real estate practice, which includes a large agricultural law group, and they represent a number of major public and private companies in the insurance industry on both the coverage and regulatory side.
Trends In Portland Law Firms
With the city’s rapid growth as a hub for tech startups, there has been an uptick in patent-related legal matters, and many law firms are embracing technology to foster communication and maximize efficiency. In 2019, Portland saw a steady hiring trend among law firms in major sectors, including antitrust, corporate law, environmental law, intellectual property, bankruptcy, restructuring, and technology transactions. Along with technological advancements, there has also been an increase in interdisciplinary practices in law firms, allowing for a wide range of capabilities and services under one roof. The city’s diverse industry sectors —including life sciences, real estate, and manufacturing— coupled with its growing population, will likely continue to drive demand for legal services in Portland. Portland’s recent slate of mergers and acquisitions offers further insight into how the local industry is prioritizing growth, and what firm specializations are likely to gain traction in the short term. For example, nationally, the need for corporate and commercial law is expected to move higher on the list of priority practices in the coming years, as more companies seek investment and guidance, especially in the tech, manufacturing, and healthcare areas. The overall Portland job market is expected to grow by 1.4 percent from 2017 to 2019, and Portland ranks above the national average in several categories, including business and financial operations jobs. This trend could mean more employment for lawyers, as business-savvy firms hire more associates with diverse skillsets. Firms are also increasingly offering flexible work arrangements to attract and retain top talent. This may present new opportunities for law firms to stay competitive and innovative as they try to meet the demands of their client bases.
Choosing A Law Firm
With such a multitude of options, how do you choose the best law firm for you? One way is to look at the size of your case in relation to the size of the law firm. If the amount at issue is less than $25,000, then a solo practitioner is usually the most appropriate choice. If the amount in controversy is between $25,000 and $100,000, then either a small or mid-sized firm will likely represent your best interests. Finally, if the case value is over $100,000, then a large firm may be your most optimal option.
Another way to choose is to ask whether the firm regularly handles cases similar to yours. A large firm may be a good choice if you need a lawyer with a narrow area of expertise and some bargaining power with the insurance company. Conversely, if your case is straightforward, then a smaller, less expensive firm may be the better choice. If there is no settlement offer from the insurance company, then you need a lawyer experienced in preparing cases for trial.
The next thing to consider is whether the firm specializes in your case. A referral from a trusted friend or prior client is often a good predictor of satisfaction.
It is important to be aware that some firms will report higher numbers to lawyers.com due to more registered attorneys within the firm or a larger geographic reach.
Although large firms handle a high number of cases, they often specialize in specific legal areas such as real estate, business, tax, or employment. Some are strictly litigation firms, while others are transactional firms.
The largest firms in Portland are, in order: Lane Powell; Miller Nash Graham & Dunn; Powell, Kazmierski, & Associates; Marks & Klein; Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; Markowitz Herbold PC; Hiawatha D. Grey; Perkins Coie; Miller Nash; Arnold Gallagher Sayles Schwartz & Beckett; and AterWagner LLP.
Takeaways : The Future of Portland Law Firms
In a progressive region like Portland, the future of the legal industry is bound to introduce new dynamics and changes. The most significant changes expected are those in the market – the arrival and establishment of firms that have acquired smaller local firms in a bid to strengthen their hold on the growing demand for legal services. Several national law firms are in line for acquisition by smaller firms around the city.
For legal firms in Portland, a step into the digital age by way of automation and increased mobility will be necessary to remain competitive. Conventional methods are not agile enough to keep pace with changing market conditions . To this effect, AI and cybersecurity will play a critical role as clients become increasingly conscious of technology in the preservation of privacy and confidentiality.
As the demand for the services of the largest law firms in Portland continues to grow, it will not be long before the city turns into a hub that is hosting more national firms. The demand for larger law firms in Portland continues to attract interest from new clients which paves the way for the expansion of existing firms. We can expect that within the next few years, the competition will become fiercer as dutiful documents will be up for grabbing from well-established and newly opened firms.