NAICS 541110 Quarterly Industry Report
Offices of Lawyers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 541110Sector: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Offices of Lawyers (NAICS 541110) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5] NAICS classification system, Bureau of Labor Statistics[8] employment and wage data, SBA size standards[9], and the American Bar Association[6] profession statistics. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, law firm owners, and lenders with classification context and market intelligence for assessing legal service businesses. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the offices of lawyers industry.
Share of Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
16.8%
By establishment count, 2022 Census[2]
NAICS Sector
54
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Offices of Lawyers (NAICS 541110) encompasses establishments of legal practitioners providing legal advice, representation, and services to individuals, corporations, and organizations Census Bureau NAICS 541110[5]. This industry includes law offices specializing in corporate law, criminal law, family law, estate planning, patent law, real estate law, tax law, and other legal specialties. About 450,000 law firms operate in the United States with roughly 1,088,443 employees in NAICS 541110 specifically.
Data from the ABA Profile of the Legal Profession[6] show 1.37 million lawyers in the United States as of 2025, with the lawyer population increasing 5.6% over the past decade. Geographic concentration is notable; New York City leads with 25,000 Am Law 200 attorneys, followed by Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston. Law firms range from solo practitioners to large multinational firms employing thousands. Paralegal and legal assistant employment in law firms reached 376,200 jobs in 2024 BLS Occupational Outlook[7].
Specialization drives firm competitiveness. Practice area focus is now standard, with 65% of Am Law 200 firms prioritizing specialization when recruiting entry-level associates. The profession continues to expand into emerging areas including artificial intelligence law, data privacy and cybersecurity, digital assets and blockchain, and environmental, social, and governance law. Solo practitioners and small firms represent the majority of establishments, though large firms capture a disproportionate share of industry revenue.
What's Included in This Industry
- Solo practitioners and law partnerships providing legal services
- Law offices specializing in corporate law, criminal defense, and litigation
- Family law, estate planning, and probate services
- Patent law, intellectual property, and real estate law services
- Tax law and business law practices
- Specialized legal counsel in regulatory compliance and environmental law
- Mediation and arbitration services provided by legal practitioners
- Immigration law and civil rights law services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 |
| Subsector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541 |
| Industry Group | Legal Services | 5411 |
| NAICS Industry | Offices of Lawyers | 54111 |
| National Industry | Offices of Lawyers | 541110 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 541191 | Title Abstract and Settlement Offices | Title Abstract and Settlement Offices conduct real estate title research and settlement services, often working alongside law firms in real estate transactions and title transfer proceedings. |
| 541199 | All Other Legal Services | All Other Legal Services includes paralegal services, patent agent services, notary public services, and process serving, providing specialized support functions that law offices may contract or refer. |
| 541211 | Offices of Certified Public Accountants | Offices of Certified Public Accountants provide accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping services to individual and business clients who also require legal representation from law offices. |
| 541213 | Tax Preparation Services | Tax Preparation Services focus on tax return preparation and planning, often coordinated with law offices on estate planning, business structure decisions, and tax law compliance matters. |
| 561110 | Office Administrative Services | Office Administrative Services provide billing, recordkeeping, payroll processing, and administrative support to professional service firms including law offices requiring outsourced business operations. |
| 561410 | Document Preparation Services | Document Preparation Services provide word processing, desktop publishing, and court filing support to law offices, handling administrative documentation and procedural requirements for legal proceedings. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 13.6% | 22,763 |
| 2 | Florida | 10.3% | 17,262 |
| 3 | Texas | 8.2% | 13,765 |
| 4 | New York | 7.2% | 11,992 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.2% | 7,070 |
| 6 | Georgia | 3.6% | 5,988 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.1% | 5,229 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 3.0% | 4,925 |
| 9 | Ohio | 2.5% | 4,140 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 2.4% | 4,042 |
% Of Establishments
0%
14%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
4,952
Total SBA Loans
$1.6B
Total Loan Volume
$327K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.48%
Average Interest Rate
28,720
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard for NAICS 541110 is $15.5 million in annual revenues SBA Size Standards[9]. Law offices with revenues at or below this threshold qualify as small businesses for SBA loan programs, federal contracting set-asides, and other federal assistance. Most solo practices and small law firms meet this standard. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[11] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 304 | $107.7M | $354K |
| 2 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 40 | $98.3M | $2.5M |
| 3 | Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 176 | $83.4M | $474K |
| 4 | Northeast Bank | 384 | $76.3M | $199K |
| 5 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 216 | $72.3M | $335K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 541110?
NAICS 541110 covers establishments of legal practitioners primarily engaged in the practice of law, including solo practitioners, partnerships, and law firms of all sizes. It covers specialties such as corporate law, criminal law, family law, estate planning, patent law, and real estate law. Paralegal service firms are classified under 541199, and title abstract offices fall under 541191 instead. Census Bureau NAICS 541110[5]
How is the legal services industry structured?
About 450,000 law firms operate in the United States. Solo practitioners and small firms represent the majority of establishments, though large firms capture a disproportionate share of industry revenue. The Am Law 200 firms employ thousands of attorneys each, with New York City hosting 25,000 Am Law 200 attorneys alone. Data from the ABA[6] show 1.37 million licensed lawyers nationwide as of 2025.
What is the SBA size standard for law offices?
The SBA size standard for NAICS 541110 is $15.5 million in annual revenues SBA Size Standards[9]. Law offices at or below this threshold qualify as small businesses for SBA loan programs, federal contracting opportunities, and other federal assistance.
What NAICS codes are related to offices of lawyers?
Related codes include 541191 (Title Abstract and Settlement Offices), 541199 (All Other Legal Services), 541211 (Offices of CPAs), 541213 (Tax Preparation Services), 561110 (Office Administrative Services), and 561420 (Document Preparation Services). Each provides specialized services that complement or support law office operations.
Which industries work most closely with law offices?
CPA firms (541211) maintain referral relationships for tax and estate matters. Title abstract offices (541191) partner on real estate transactions. Paralegal and legal support firms (541199) provide outsourced research and document preparation. Insurance agencies (524210) arrange malpractice and business liability coverage. Law schools (611310) supply the workforce through clinical programs and recruitment.
What activities are included in NAICS 541110?
Activities include providing legal advice, court representation, document drafting, contract negotiation, estate planning, corporate formation, regulatory compliance counsel, mediation, and arbitration services. Law offices handle civil and criminal matters, transactional work, and advisory services across all legal specialties. Census Bureau NAICS 541110[5]
Can you get an SBA loan for a law office?
Yes. Law offices with annual revenues of $15.5 million or less qualify for SBA programs including 7(a) loans for general business purposes, 504 loans for office space and equipment, and microloans for working capital. SBA-guaranteed lending can fund office buildout, technology infrastructure, hiring, and practice acquisition. Attorneys should work with SBA-preferred lenders familiar with professional services. SBA Loan Programs[12]
Which states have the highest concentration of law offices?
New York leads with the highest concentration of lawyers nationally, driven by corporate legal work. California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois also have large attorney populations. Metropolitan concentration is extreme: New York City hosts 25,000 Am Law 200 attorneys, Washington DC about 15,000, and Chicago and Los Angeles each about 8,000. BLS Legal Employment Data[13]
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]Census Bureau NAICS 541110 census.gov
- [6]ABA Profile of the Legal Profession americanbar.org
- [7]BLS Occupational Outlook bls.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
- [12]SBA Loan Programs sba.gov
- [13]BLS Legal Employment Data bls.gov
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