Number of Offices of Lawyers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
147,965
offices of lawyers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The offices of lawyers industry has declined 4.1% since 2000 (from 154,303 to 147,965 firms).
- •The peak year was 2007 with 164,519 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-4.0%).
- •Employment: 1,192,566 workers in 2023 (9.1% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 64%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 147,965 | 162,502 | 1,192,566 | 7.8% | 8.5% | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 150,170 | 163,529 | 1,183,346 | 7.8% | 8.7% | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 151,707 | 164,901 | 1,145,410 | 8.0% | 8.5% | -1.4% |
| 2020 | 152,917 | 165,690 | 1,159,698 | 7.4% | 7.9% | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 154,182 | 166,574 | 1,148,077 | 7.5% | 7.8% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 155,153 | 167,226 | 1,147,064 | 7.3% | 8.0% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 156,480 | 168,475 | 1,151,555 | 7.5% | 7.9% | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 157,201 | 169,002 | 1,137,137 | 7.8% | 8.0% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 157,846 | 169,206 | 1,138,983 | 7.6% | 8.3% | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 159,076 | 170,317 | 1,147,431 | 7.9% | 8.1% | -1.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.