Attorney Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find Legal Work in the City

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s biggest legal hubs, with opportunities ranging from large corporate firms in Midtown and Buckhead to public-interest roles downtown and government positions across Fulton and DeKalb counties. If you’re searching for attorney jobs in Atlanta, understanding the local market, common practice areas, and key employers will help you target your search more effectively.

The Atlanta Legal Market at a Glance

Atlanta’s legal community is large, diverse, and business-focused, with strong demand in:

• Corporate and transactional law
• Litigation and trial work
• Real estate and land use
• Employment and labor law
• Health care and regulatory work
• Intellectual property and technology
• Insurance defense and personal injury
• Government and public-interest law

Many opportunities are clustered in:

• Downtown Atlanta – government agencies, courts, public-interest groups
• Midtown – major law firms, tech/startup work, corporate offices
• Buckhead – regional and national firms, high-end business practices
• Perimeter / Sandy Springs / Dunwoody – in-house roles with large companies

Atlanta’s cost of living is often lower than other major legal markets like New York or Washington, D.C., while still offering a wide range of sophisticated legal work. This makes the city attractive for both new and experienced attorneys.

Common Types of Attorney Jobs in Atlanta

1. Law Firm Positions

Atlanta has everything from international “BigLaw” firms to boutique and small practices. Common roles include:

• Associate – entry-level to mid-level attorneys focused on billable work
• Senior associate / counsel – more independent responsibility, case or deal management
• Partner / shareholder – ownership track or non-equity roles
• Of counsel – subject-matter experts or part-time roles

Typical law firm practice areas in Atlanta:

• Complex commercial litigation
• Corporate/M&A, securities, and finance
• Real estate transactions and development
• Construction law
• Insurance defense
• Employment and labor
• Bankruptcy and restructuring
• Family law and domestic relations
• Criminal defense and DUI
• Immigration

2. In-House Counsel Roles

Atlanta’s economy includes Fortune 500 headquarters, hospitals, universities, and growing tech companies, all of which hire attorneys as in-house counsel. These roles often focus on:

• Contracts and commercial transactions
• Compliance and regulatory issues
• Employment and HR matters
• Privacy and data security
• Real estate and leasing
• Litigation management (working with outside counsel)

In-house jobs often appeal to attorneys seeking:

• More predictable hours than many large firms
• Direct involvement in business operations
• Fewer billable hour requirements

3. Government Attorney Jobs

A significant number of attorney jobs in Atlanta are with federal, state, and local government agencies. These roles often offer stable benefits, public service work, and consistent schedules.

Examples of major local employers:

• Fulton County District Attorney’s Office

  • 136 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Prosecutors handling felony criminal cases

• Atlanta City Solicitor’s Office

  • 72 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Handles city ordinance and misdemeanor prosecutions

• Georgia Attorney General’s Office (headquartered in Atlanta metro)

  • Civil litigation, consumer protection, state agency representation

• U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia (federal prosecutors)

  • Richard B. Russell Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Other government employers include:

• Public defender offices (Fulton County, DeKalb County)
• State agencies with legal divisions (e.g., Georgia Department of Law, regulatory boards)
• Local city and county law departments

4. Public Interest and Nonprofit Roles

For attorneys focused on social justice, civil rights, or community work, Atlanta has:

• Legal aid and civil legal services
• Public defender positions
• Nonprofits focused on housing, family law, immigration, and consumer rights
• Advocacy groups and policy organizations

Examples of public-facing offices (for context and networking):

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society

  • 54 Ellis St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

• Georgia Legal Services Program (serves broader state; sometimes posts Atlanta roles)

These employers frequently hire staff attorneys, supervising attorneys, and fellows.

Entry-Level Attorney Jobs in Atlanta

If you are a recent law school graduate or newly admitted to the State Bar of Georgia, you’ll typically start in:

• Law firm associate positions (small, midsize, or large firms)
• Judicial clerkships (state or federal courts)
• Government honors programs or entry-level staff attorney roles
• Public defender or legal aid positions

Judicial Clerkships in Atlanta

Clerkships can be a strong starting point for an Atlanta legal career. Courts in or near Atlanta include:

• Supreme Court of Georgia – 330 Capitol Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30334
• Georgia Court of Appeals – 330 Capitol Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30334
• Fulton County Superior Court – 136 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia – 75 Ted Turner Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Clerkships often require strong grades and writing skills, but they can significantly expand your network in the Atlanta legal community.

Mid-Career and Senior Attorney Roles

If you already have experience, Atlanta offers:

• Lateral associate and partner roles at firms
• Practice group leader or managing attorney positions
• Senior in-house counsel, assistant general counsel, or general counsel roles
• Supervisory positions in public-interest and government offices

At this stage, employers in Atlanta typically look for:

• A track record of handling cases or deals independently
• Some level of book of business for law firm lateral partners
• Industry experience (e.g., health care, technology, financial services) for in-house roles
• Demonstrated management and mentoring skills for leadership posts

Core Requirements to Work as an Attorney in Atlanta

To practice law in Atlanta, you generally must:

1. Be licensed in Georgia

   • Pass the Georgia Bar Exam or be admitted through another authorized pathway.
   • Maintain good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.

2. Meet character and fitness requirements

   • Evaluated by the Office of Bar Admissions in Georgia.

3. Satisfy continuing legal education (CLE) obligations

   • Georgia attorneys must earn a set number of CLE credits each year.

Some federal positions may allow practice with another state’s license if the work is primarily federal and rules permit, but most Atlanta employers strongly prefer (or require) Georgia licensure, especially for courtroom work.

Where To Look for Attorney Jobs in Atlanta

1. Online Job Boards and Legal-Specific Sites

Common places to find Atlanta attorney jobs include:

• General job boards with legal filters (search “Attorney,” “Counsel,” “Litigation Associate,” and limit location to Atlanta, GA).
• Legal-focused job boards that list:
  • Law firm associate and partner roles
  • In-house counsel openings
  • Government and public-interest jobs

Use filters for practice area, experience level, and remote/hybrid options. Many Atlanta employers now offer hybrid work arrangements, especially for in-house and some firm roles.

2. Law Firm and Company Career Pages

Many large Atlanta employers post positions only on their own sites. Check:

• Major law firm offices in Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown
• Corporate career pages for companies headquartered or with major offices in Atlanta
• Hospitals, universities, and health systems (for health law and compliance roles)

Search for titles like:

• “Staff Attorney”
• “Associate Counsel”
• “Corporate Counsel”
• “Assistant General Counsel”
• “Litigation Associate”
• “Real Estate Counsel”

3. Government Job Portals

For government attorney jobs in Atlanta, look at:

• City of Atlanta job portal (for positions such as assistant city attorney or solicitor)
• Fulton County and DeKalb County careers pages (for county attorney or public defender roles)
• State of Georgia careers pages (for agency counsel or assistant attorney general roles)
• Federal USAJOBS portal (for positions with federal courts and federal agencies in Atlanta)

Search terms like “Attorney Advisor,” “Trial Attorney,” “Assistant U.S. Attorney,” “Counsel,” or “General Attorney.”

4. Bar Associations and Local Legal Organizations

Atlanta’s professional organizations are key for both job postings and networking:

• State Bar of Georgia (headquartered in Atlanta)

  • 104 Marietta St NW #100, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Often features job postings, section listservs, and networking events.

• Atlanta Bar Association

  • Offers practice-area sections, mentorship, and job referrals.

• Specialty bar associations in the Atlanta area (e.g., for Black lawyers, Hispanic lawyers, women lawyers, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and others) often email or post openings targeted to members.

Networking in Atlanta’s Legal Community

In Atlanta, many attorney jobs are filled through referrals and relationships rather than public postings. Local networking can significantly speed up your job search.

Practical Networking Steps

• Attend section meetings

  • Join relevant sections (e.g., litigation, corporate counsel, family law, criminal law) through the State Bar of Georgia or Atlanta Bar Association.

• Go to CLE events held in Atlanta

  • Many are hosted in or near downtown and Midtown and bring together attorneys from firms, corporations, and government.

• Connect with law school alumni

  • If you attended Emory, Georgia State, University of Georgia, or another regional school, leverage alumni directories and events in Atlanta.

• Use informational interviews

  • Request short conversations with attorneys in your targeted practice area. Ask about:
    • How they got their role in Atlanta
    • What hiring looks like in their office
    • What skills matter most locally

Typical Atlanta Attorney Practice Areas and Work Settings

Below is a simple overview to help you compare options:

Strengthening Your Candidacy for Atlanta Attorney Jobs

To compete effectively in the Atlanta market:

Build Local Experience and Knowledge

• Georgia law familiarity – Even before passing the bar, gain exposure to Georgia-specific:

  • Civil procedure and local rules
  • State-specific causes of action (e.g., Georgia tort law)
  • Probate, family, and criminal procedures if relevant

• Internships and clinics – Law students or newer lawyers can seek:

  • Internships with Fulton or DeKalb public agencies
  • Clinic placements with Atlanta Legal Aid or university programs
  • Externships with judges in Atlanta courts

Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter to Atlanta

• Highlight any prior ties to Georgia or Atlanta (school, family, past work).
• Emphasize relevant practice areas common in the city (corporate, litigation, real estate, etc.).
• Use clear headings such as “Litigation Experience – Georgia and Federal Courts” or “Corporate Transactions – Atlanta-Based Clients.”

Prepare for Common Interview Themes

Atlanta employers often focus on:

• Long-term commitment to the area – Are you planning to build your career in Atlanta?
• Client-service mindset – Many firms serve regional and national clients from here.
• Team fit and professionalism – The Atlanta legal community is relatively close-knit; reputation matters.

Be prepared to explain:

• Why Atlanta specifically
• How your background fits with the employer’s local work
• Your comfort level with court appearances or transactional workloads as needed

Using Local Resources While Job Searching

If you’re in Atlanta or planning to move here, you can:

• Visit courthouses (such as Fulton County Superior Court downtown or the Russell Federal Building) to observe proceedings and understand local practice styles.
• Attend bar association luncheons and social events to meet attorneys informally.
• Check law school career offices for public job boards, even if you’re an alum of a school outside Georgia—many offices share Atlanta listings.

Key Takeaways for Finding Attorney Jobs in Atlanta

• Atlanta offers broad opportunities for attorneys in law firms, in-house roles, government, and public interest.
• Georgia licensure is usually required, particularly for courtroom work.
• Major job concentration areas include downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Perimeter.
• Effective strategies include:
  • Monitoring online legal job boards and employer career pages
  • Targeting government and public-interest openings for stable public sector roles
  • Engaging with State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association, and local specialty bars
  • Building and using local networks to hear about roles that may never be publicly posted

With a focused approach, clear understanding of the Atlanta market, and engagement in the local legal community, you can significantly improve your chances of securing the attorney job in Atlanta that fits your goals and experience.