**Snapshot of Maryland’s Legal Sector**
The legal industry in Maryland is a significant economic engine. Recent statistics indicated there are roughly 36,493 practicing lawyers in Maryland. With around 2.3 million private-sector workers in the state, that amounts to over 1.5% of the workforce being comprised of attorneys. Maryland has more attorneys per capita than most states, trailing only Washington DC, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. There are 267 law firms employing 100 or more attorneys spanning the state. Additionally, over 1,200 law firms with less than 20 attorneys call Maryland home. Law firm spread is fairly even across the state with significant representation in Baltimore, Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, and Frederick County .
Maryland’s legal industry is growing at about .8% per year, making it on par with the overall economy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects attorney jobs to grow 9.0% in the state between 2018 and 2028. Attorney jobs, like the rest of the economy, are expected to be concentrated in the state’s major urban centers. As you would expect, large multinational, or national law firms will continue to grow their presence, as well as expand into the suburbs. But there is a growing trend of smaller shops and solo practices opening in Maryland, allowing baby boomers and seniors to retire while young attorneys start their own practice at an ever-increasing rate.
**How We Ranked the Biggest Law Firms**
Criteria for Ranking the Largest Law Firms in Maryland
The process for determining the largest law firms in Maryland is not as cut and dry as one may think. We defined largest firms not just based on the number of attorneys that they have but also on the number of areas and scope of practice they cover, and if they have any additional offices in Maryland. It is also important that the firm generates a fair amount of revenue as well. We believe that these factors combined make a firm large, and with offices in multiple regions, states and countries, a regional or nationally large firm.
**Top 3 Law Firms – Profiles and Info**
Largest law firm in Maryland is DLA Piper, with 118 lawyers, and 400 lawyers nationwide. They have offices in Baltimore and Washington, DC. The firm is strong in intellectual property, litigation, and real estate. According to the Maryland Daily Record, they’ve recently hired away two Maryland attorneys from MWE. One specializes in intellectual property and the other is a litigator. The firm’s headquarters is at the B&O Railroad Museum.
Second largest in Maryland is Venable, with 69 lawyers in Maryland and 300 lawyers nationwide. Office is in Towson. They are strong in intellectual property and litigation. According to the Maryland Daily Record, they’ve added 25 lawyers from Howrey’s DC offices. Firm’s total revenues grew by 20% in 2010.
Third largest in Maryland is Ober/Kaler, with 61 lawyers in Maryland and 134 lawyers nationwide. They have offices in Baltimore and Columbia. The firm was founded in 1909. They are strong in litigation and antitrust. They recently hired away 4 partners from Patton Boggs. The firm’s revenue grew by 6% in 2010.
**How Big Law Impacts Local Communities**
The impact of large law firms at the local and state levels cannot be understated. By providing substantial revenue streams to the local economy, large law firms are key players in many metropolitan areas. Again, it comes as no surprise that the legal industry ranks in the top 10 highest paying industries in Maryland.
These law firms are often willing and eager to extend volunteer hours to help other local businesses thrive. In addition , many large law firms are invested in making this social interaction a fundamental part of their business strategy. DLA Piper’s Baltimore office often host receptions for local businesses at the firm in order to have them leave the office with an impression that they may not have gotten otherwise (Baltimore Business Journal). They also avidly encourage local partnerships, with 660+ pro bono projects. Venable’s attorneys volunteer more than 25,000 hours helping Maryland communities, while their pro bono program is nationally recognized (Venable LLP). Ending on a similar note, Hogan Lovells has committed much of its time to improving the lives of the people in their communities.
**Future Prospects of Maryland Law Firms**
As the largest law firms in Maryland continue to navigate a complex legal landscape, emerging trends suggest a shift in operations and client interactions. One of the most significant changes involves the integration of technology in the legal sector. In recent years, law firms have been adopting artificial intelligence (AI) systems to assist in legal research, contract analysis, and even predicting case outcomes. This not only improves efficiency but allows attorneys to allocate more time to strategic client relationship management and creative problem-solving solutions. As AI technologies continue to grow and evolve, it’s likely that larger Maryland law firms will increasingly utilize these tools to enhance their overall service delivery.
Additionally, we might see a shift in the areas of legal practice that experience substantial growth. The rise of remote work environments has created opportunities for firms to expand their offerings into new legal markets, as they no longer need to be physically located in the jurisdiction of their clients. For Maryland law firms, this could spell growth in technology, intellectual property, and healthcare law practices. With the National Institute of Health (NIH) and several life sciences firms concentrated around Maryland, the potential for expansion in these practice areas is strong.
Another trend impacting the future of law firms in Maryland is the ongoing consolidation of the legal marketplace. We anticipate that smaller firms will continue to merge in order to enhance competitiveness in the region. This trend has already been observed , with many boutique firms joining forces to compete against larger entities. As this process continues, it may also lead to the emergence of super-firms, which could provide legal services from a broad and deep range of practice areas, reflecting a truly comprehensive approach to meeting clients’ legal needs.
Finally, a growing expectation for law firms is the delivery of a superior client experience. The largest law firms in Maryland will need to allocate appropriate resources and focus on prioritizing client satisfaction. Clients increasingly expect timely responses to their correspondence and inquiries, and only regular client updates will help in managing these expectations. Firms should also invest in developing a robust support system for their investors and clients, ensuring their concerns are handled in a timely and professional manner. Cybersecurity will also play a critical role – large firms must plan for the protection and security of their client data while continuing to navigate compliance matters unique to Maryland.
As we look ahead to the future of the legal discipline, it’s clear that the landscape for Maryland’s largest law firms will continue to evolve. While the trends outlined above will impact each firm differently, it’s likely that the biggest changes will occur in the technological and client-centered arenas. By remaining proactive and implementing best practices, these law firms can plan accordingly to ensure their sustainability in the coming years.