The Legal Profession: Key Figures to Know
Portrait of a Profession in Constant Change
lawyers in 2025
compared to last year
compared to 10 years ago
● Within the profession, the average age at the time of taking the oath is 28.6 years
● On average, lawyers are 44.5 years old
● On average, lawyers retire at the age of 65.1 years
● On average, lawyers are 44.5 years old
● On average, lawyers retire at the age of 65.1 years
The Next Generation is Ready!
Cities | Numbers |
|---|---|
Bordeaux | 146 |
Lille | 118 |
Lyon | 210 |
Marseille | 184 |
Montpellier | 151 |
Paris | 1,852 |
Poitiers | 90 |
Rennes | 155 |
Strasbourg | 139 |
Toulouse | 144 |
Versailles | 586 |
Total | 3,775 |
In 2025, there were 3 775 trainee lawyers preparing to join the profession!
trainee lawyers
Feminization of the Profession:
An Ongoing Trend
Women accounted 58.7% of the profession in 2025
One Profession, Many Roles
Diverse modes of practice within the profession
36 %
Independent practice 29,2 %
Associates 2,7 %
Employees 32,1 %
Partners
Independent practice 29,2 %
Associates 2,7 %
Employees 32,1 %
Partners
Lawyers’ Earnings:
What’s the Reality?
Average net income: 83,225€
Median net income: 47,953€
lEGAL AID
lawyers
pratice legal aid
(representing 36 % of the profession)
(representing 36 % of the profession)
Key figures of the profession have been updated by the Observatory based on the latest data provided by the CNBF, UNCA, CREPA, and the Ministry of Justice – DACS