Several attorneys interviewed for this article point out that because of the large number of lawyers in Florida, a figure that has grown from 60,900 in 2000 to 96,511 today, many are working harder for less money. A survey administered last year by the Florida bar confirms this with nearly half of the respondents indicating that the biggest problem facing the legal profession today is the glut of lawyers which has caused nearly 25% of them to “adjust” their fees. Most respondents also said they do not expect things to get better anytime soon despite the plummet in law school applications over the past few years. An excerpt:

Does Florida have too many lawyers? Law school grads rise, demand drops
. . . .
Does Florida have too many lawyers?

Since 2000, the number of licensed attorneys in the state has swollen to 96,511 from 60,900. During the same period, five new law schools have opened, cranking out even more lawyers to join those bemoaning the diminished rewards of their chosen career.

“Now it seems you work harder to make half of what you did in 1998,” said Angela Wright, a Tampa criminal-defense lawyer. “The economy is a reason, but also the fact there are a whole lot more attorneys.”

Almost half of the lawyers responding to a Florida Bar survey last year cited “too many attorneys” as the most serious problem facing the legal profession today. That exceeded even “difficult economic times” and “poor public perception,” which many blamed in part on relentless TV advertising such as that by big personal-injury firms.

Read more here: www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/27/4254683/as-number-of-law-school-grads.html?sp=/99/414/416/#storylink=cpy
The same survey found that 25 percent of lawyers in private practice had “adjusted” their fees. Half said they didn’t expect things to get better anytime soon.

Of course lower legal fees are good news for those who need legal services. And some big corporate law firms are hiring again.

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