Compensation for lawyers has increased in the Southeast since 2020 to the point recruiters say they can more easily attract the most talented lawyers to the region despite not being among the largest markets in the country. 

This goes for both partners and associates in Big Law, recruiters say. Many large law firms with Atlanta offices have chosen to pay lawyers at the same rate as in the largest markets, such as New York, said Raj Nichani of the legal recruiting firm RMN Agency. "Firms are paying well," Nichani added.