Legal sector loses 4,200 jobs, dropping well below last year’s high
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The legal services sector lost 4,200 jobs in August, the second month of decline, according to seasonally adjusted and preliminary figures released Friday.
The decline follows a 10-year high-water mark of 1,187,900 jobs set in July 2022. Currently, the legal sector has 1,175,700 jobs, which is 12,200 jobs lower than in July 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The legal services sector lost 2,200 jobs in July followed by the August jobs loss, according to the Bureau’s preliminary findings. In June, however, the sector added 3,500 jobs for a total of 1,182,100 jobs, according to revised numbers.
The June jobs total was the highest for 2023. It was still below last year’s July high by 5,800 jobs, however.
The jobs number is based on payroll jobs for attorneys and staff members working at law firms providing legal services. The jobs data can change in recent monthly revisions, as well as the annual look-back process.
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“Legal services sector nears 10-year high for jobs”
