Thinking of Moving from Texas (or Another State) to Arizona as a Family Law Attorney?

If you’re a family law attorney in Texas, California, or Colorado thinking about relocating to Arizona, you’re far from the first to consider this booming region. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Phoenix is currently the fifth-largest city in the country, with a population of approximately 1.7 million people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024). This number is far from stagnant, as ABC reported that the city added over 200 new residents each day as recently as 2019, making it the most popular domestic move-in target (Bloomberg, 2019).

Arizona’s Economy reports that between 2017 and 2021 three states contributed nearly 60,000 new residents – California, with 39,659 migrants; Texas, with 9,980 migrants; and Colorado, with 7,817 migrants (Arizona’s Economy, 2025). And as the state’s population rose, so did demand for critical services, including legal representation.

However, while Arizona’s population has increased, it has outpaced the addition of quality attorneys to the state’s Bar Association. To put it simply, there are not enough licensed attorneys residing in the state to meet current needs. As a result, Arizona has taken an innovative approach to meet the demand – and that means a wealth of opportunities for out-of-state attorneys.

Arizona’s Growing Demand for Legal Professionals

According to the American Bar Association’s National Lawyer Population Survey, conducted in 2024, Arizona is experiencing a significant shortage of legal representatives. Currently, there are only 2.14 lawyers per 1,000 residents (American Bar Association, 2024), a number much lower than the national average of 3.81 for every 1,000 residents (American Bar Association, 2024). Experts agree that this shortage has created a legal desert, leaving many individuals in need of legal assistance without access to this critical service. .

The Demand for Family Law Attorneys

As Arizona’s population continues to grow, many practice areas are experiencing significant growth, particularly family law, criminal defense, and personal injury. Higher volumes of violent crimes, car accidents involving serious injuries, and complicated divorce cases are just a few examples of why the state needs more attorneys who practice in these areas.

Family law matters, in particular, are in high demand. New families who have moved into the area are often coping with family issues and legal disputes related to them, including determining child support or obtaining parental rights. Juvenile legal matters are another area of demand.  including issues such as dependency, delinquency, and guardianship.

There is also a serious need for legal assistance for low-income families. Unfortunately, with the current influx of cases, few family law attorneys have the time to donate their services. Instead, most families must apply for legal aid.

A New Program Proposal

To address this issue, the Arizona Supreme Court has proposed a one-year law school program so that those who do not have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree would be permitted to practice criminal law in Arizona.

Instead of the three years of an accredited program now required before law students can work with a licensed attorney, they would only be required to take classes for one year before spending one to two years practicing with an attorney who has more experience. Once the student has met all standards and completes an examination, they are allowed to serve as a legal representative.]

The goal of this program proposal is to encourage more students to choose law as a profession – and do so in Arizona. Many young people are rethinking going to law school due to the high tuition costs. With today’s higher cost of living, taking on massive student loan debt is something many of today’s students are trying to avoid. The opportunity to begin a career and build experience much earlier is one reason Arizona remains a top state for domestic move-ins

Bar Reciprocity: What You Need to Know

If you’re already a licensed attorney from Texas, California, Colorado, or another high-volume state and are looking to move to Arizona to practice law, it is important to understand bar reciprocity by state. Bar reciprocity, also called admission on motion, is the procedure that an attorney must follow to practice law in a different state, bypassing the state bar examination requirement.

Understanding Bar Reciprocity in Arizona

To qualify for bar exam reciprocity, the attorney must meet certain standards as outlined in the Arizona Supreme Court Attorney Admissions.

These include:

Another avenue to achieve Arizona bar reciprocity is a transfer of a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score. Attorneys choosing to undergo this process must submit an application for Uniform Bar Transfer.

Additionally, attorneys must meet certain standards, including:

Applying for Bar Reciprocity in Arizona

The process of applying for bar reciprocity in the state of Arizona is much like other state bars with reciprocity. It involves a lengthy application process along with proof of moral fitness, a good reputation, and eligibility.

Before beginning the application, it is important to collect all necessary documentation, including: 

After submission of a completed request packet,you may be asked to interview with the Committee on Character and Fitness for additional information. After your application has been approved, you may practice law in Arizona.

Obtaining a UBE Transfer

Getting your UBE score transferred can be done simply by submitting a request through the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). When you visit their site, you can either create a new account or you may log in to an existing account.

Then, navigate to the Score Services area, where there is an option to fill out a UBE Transcript Services request. Within this application, you’ll need to include the jurisdiction where the test was administered, the date that you took the test, and the jurisdiction where your official UBE transcript should be sent.

It is important to note that there is a fee for each transcript request.

Traits of a Successful Family Law Attorney in Arizona

Family law typically involves emotional and deeply personal issues, such as divorce, child custody, child support, and alimony. These legal issues can lead to conflict and stress on families. For this reason, a family law attorney with certain traits may be much more likely to find success in this complex practice area.

Some of the keys to success involve remaining kind, compassionate, and empathetic to clients, realizing that they are likely overwhelmed with the legal process and their own emotions. Other top traits of an Arizona family attorney include the following.

Clear Communication

Effective communication between attorney and client  is extremely important for every type of family law case. In particular, communication is essential for explaining complex legal procedures in a way that your clients can understand. Attorneys should be readily available and quick to respond to client communication. Demonstrating that you are a strong communicator is an essential skill for dealing not only with clients, but also with other attorneys, mediators, judges, or other legal professionals.

Transparency

Along with clear and effective communication, being transparent with your clients is crucial. A successful lawyer is honest and open about essential case details, including the potential results, expected difficulties, and areas of need. Discuss all potential strategies and help your clients set realistic goals. Be upfront about legal fees, possible court costs, and other billing practices.

Thorough Knowledge of Family Law

Family law cases are often complex, involving intricate legal procedures. Arizona operates under a large set of state-specific laws and procedures. Child custody cases, for example, include determining the parents’ legal decision-making, while child support must be calculated using a formula found under Title 25 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

Developing experience with Arizona’s court systems and learning a judge’s preferences and biases are equally beneficial to successful outcomes for your clients. A respected and trusted attorney also stays updated on any legal changes, researching for information when they don’t know the answer.

Strong Negotiating Skills

A typical family law case involves negotiations between two parties. Divorce, child custody, alimony, or property division must all end in a finalized agreement that can be made during negotiations or mediation. Successful family law attorneys are able to employ their experience to help their clients come to a fair settlement.

Good lawyers also realize that litigation is not always avoidable, but being an effective negotiator typically saves clients time, money, and emotional distress.

Creative Problem Solving

Every case is unique, requiring strategies that are tailored to meet the needs of the family. Dividing marital property, protecting valuable assets in divorce cases, or drafting a parenting plan all require creative problem-solving skills. The best Arizona attorneys have carefully honed these problem-solving skills to benefit their clients.

Focusing on the Best Interests of the Client

During family law cases that involve children, the court will always put the best interests of the child first. A quality attorney will also prioritize their client’s best interests. This means that an Arizona family attorney focuses on the goals of the client, doing everything possible to legally achieve the desired outcome.

Understanding Arizona’s Culture

As Arizona has experienced massive growth, particularly from California, Texas, and Colorado, the state is also witnessing a rise in diversity. Many people are moving from Honduras, Cuba, and Colombia, creating a need for family law attorneys who can help navigate many of the challenges experienced by new arrivals.

Arizona’s Hispanic population has been on the rise since 2023, contributing to about 41.8% of Phoenix’s population. Considering that the state also borders Mexico, it is not surprising that the number of Spanish-speaking residents continues to increase. This is why law offices that offer Spanish-speaking services are so important.

Why Arizona is a Smart Move for Attorneys

As Arizona continues to receive more and more newcomers moving into the state each year, the need for family law attorneys will increase. With a large client base and room for career advancement, there are several reasons moving to Arizona is a smart move for family law attorneys.

Professional Opportunities

With such a wide variety of family law case types, there are multiple avenues for expanding your legal career in Arizona. If you move to one of the state’s major cities, you will find an abundance of clients. Practicing within the Phoenix metro area provides a number of opportunities where you may be able to participate in mediation, negotiate, or represent clients in court.

Lifestyle Factors

There is something for everyone in the Phoenix metro area, depending on what is most important to you. You’ll find relatively low costs of living, a wealth of amenities, and a range of city and suburb lifestyles.

If you are into a more luxurious lifestyle, Scottsdale is the perfect option for you, as it offers modern homes, upscale shopping, and almost endless social activities. For those raising a family and seeking a connected community, Gilbert is a wonderful area with excellent schools and safe neighborhoods.

Peoria is a good choice for those looking for affordable living costs. It’s also ideal for those who are interested in outdoor activities, as it is close to Lake Pleasant and several hiking trails. If you enjoy the straightforward benefits of city life and easy access to shopping and dining, Phoenix is the place for you.

A Growing Career

Due to the state’s growing population, client demands are also increasing. Practicing family law in the Phoenix area means that you will have a steady flow of clients in need of your services.

Another result of high client demands is expansion in legal centers. Several cities are considered to be legal hubs, where attorneys can make an average income of six figures with the potential for growth – child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, and juvenile law are family law matters that are always in high demand. Numerous possibilities for career advancement await you if you choose to practice in one of Arizona’s major cities.

Consider Practicing Family Law in Arizona

If you are a family law attorney from Texas, California, Colorado, or another state in fluctuation, and are considering relocating to Arizona, The Valley Law Group is here to help. Our firm is equipped to provide you with the supportive environment you need to continue your legal growth. With our attorney resources, you’ll have up-to-the-minute access to changing laws, as well as effective practices and elevated standards. To keep up with the state’s rapid population growth, our firm continues to grow in each of our locations: Phoenix, Gilbert, Peoria, and Scottsdale.

We are proud to be more than just a legal practice; we’re a closely connected team that is determined to provide our clients empathy, compassion, and high-quality services. With deep roots in family law, our experienced family law attorneys have built an award-winning practice that has garnered trust and respect in the Valley area.

If you are a dedicated and motivated lawyer looking to make a difference, explore our current career opportunities or contact our offices to learn more about joining The Valley Law Group.

 

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Sources:

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