ANALYSIS: Legal Employment Grew in February; So Did Unemployment

Finally rebounding after three straight months of job losses, employment in legal occupations rose considerably in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment data released today.

Along with a corresponding increase in the unemployment rate among legal workers—especially women—the February data suggest a renewed determination by workers to re-enter the legal workforce.

The number of workers reporting employment in legal jobs rose from approximately 1.72 million in January to 1.79 million in February, the BLS said. The 63,000-worker increase was the largest since August.

And, just like in August, the February bump in legal employment went hand ...