If you are investing in law firm SEO, you already know how important it is to choose the best legal keywords to grow your organic traffic. The choice of the best law firm SEO keywords helps you acquire more client appointments.
96% of people seeking legal advice use a search engine. That means if your law firm isn’t ranking well, you’re missing out on a huge client base.
But not all keywords work the same way. Some are general, while others focus on specific legal areas like personal injury, family law, or corporate law.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most effective SEO keywords for lawyers, how to use them properly, and common mistakes to avoid. Let’s dive in!
SEO isn’t just for e-commerce businesses. It’s a game-changer for law firms too. With the legal industry being highly competitive, you need the right strategy to stand out.
Using targeted legal keywords helps your firm:
Appear in Google’s top search results
Attract potential clients actively searching for legal help
Improve website traffic and conversion rates
Compete with larger law firms
For example, ranking for “personal injury lawyer near me” can bring in clients who need immediate legal representation. Without keyword optimization, your website might not even show up in searches.
However, keyword stuffing (overloading a page with too many keywords) can harm your rankings. Google prioritizes quality content, so it’s important to use keywords naturally.
Top Legal Keywords For Lawyers
Personal Injury Case Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: New York)
Personal injury lawyer
Best personal injury attorney near me
Personal injury lawyer in New York
Car accident attorney
Car crash lawyer free consultation
Top car accident lawyer in NYC
Slip and fall lawyer
Who is responsible for a slip and fall injury?
Slip and fall attorney in Brooklyn
Wrongful death attorney
Suing for wrongful death – what you need to know
Wrongful death lawyer in Manhattan
Workers’ compensation lawyer
How to file a workers’ compensation claim?
Workers’ comp attorney in Queens
Criminal Defense Case Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Los Angeles)
Criminal defense attorney
Best criminal lawyer for felony charges
Criminal defense lawyer in LA
DUI lawyer
What happens after a DUI arrest?
Top DUI attorney in California
Drug crime attorney
Can I beat a drug possession charge?
Drug charge lawyer in Beverly Hills
Domestic violence lawyer
What to do if falsely accused of domestic violence?
Domestic abuse attorney in Hollywood
White-collar crime attorney
Defense strategies for fraud charges
White-collar crime lawyer in Downtown LA
Family Law Case Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Chicago)
Divorce lawyer
How much does a divorce lawyer cost?
Divorce attorney in Chicago
Child custody attorney
Can a father win full custody of a child?
Best child custody lawyer in Illinois
Alimony lawyer
How is alimony calculated in a divorce?
Alimony attorney in Cook County
Adoption lawyer
Process of adopting a child in the U.S.
Adoption attorney in Chicago suburbs
Prenuptial agreement lawyer
Do I need a prenup before marriage?
Prenuptial lawyer in Downtown Chicago
Business & Corporate Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Houston)
Business attorney
Best lawyer for small business legal issues
Business lawyer in Houston
Contract dispute lawyer
How to resolve a business contract dispute
Contract attorney in Texas
Corporate litigation lawyer
When should a company hire a litigation lawyer?
Corporate attorney in Austin
Startup lawyer
Do startups need legal representation?
Startup business lawyer in Houston
Employment contract attorney
Can an employer change a contract without consent?
Employment lawyer in Dallas
Estate Planning & Probate Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Miami)
Estate planning attorney
Do I need a lawyer to make a will?
Estate planning lawyer in Miami
Will and trust lawyer
Difference between a will and a trust
Best trust attorney in Florida
Probate lawyer
How long does probate take?
Probate attorney in Miami Beach
Elder law attorney
Legal options for seniors needing care
Elder lawyer in South Florida
Power of attorney lawyer
How to assign power of attorney
POA lawyer in Miami-Dade
Employment & Labor Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: San Francisco)
Workplace discrimination lawyer
How to file a discrimination lawsuit?
Discrimination lawyer in SF
Wrongful termination attorney
What qualifies as wrongful termination?
Wrongful termination lawyer in Bay Area
Wage and hour dispute lawyer
Can I sue my employer for unpaid wages?
Wage theft attorney in California
Sexual harassment attorney
What to do if harassed at work?
Sexual harassment lawyer in Silicon Valley
Employee rights lawyer
Legal rights of employees in the workplace
Employee attorney in San Jose
Real Estate Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Atlanta)
Real estate lawyer
Legal issues when buying a home
Real estate attorney in Atlanta
Property dispute lawyer
What to do in a neighbor property dispute?
Property dispute attorney in Georgia
Landlord-tenant attorney
Can a landlord evict without notice?
Tenant lawyer in Downtown Atlanta
Commercial lease lawyer
Understanding commercial lease agreements
Commercial property attorney in Buckhead
Foreclosure defense lawyer
How to stop a foreclosure legally?
Foreclosure attorney in Fulton County
Immigration Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Dallas)
Immigration lawyer
Best immigration attorney for green card
Immigration lawyer in Dallas
Citizenship attorney
How to apply for U.S. citizenship
Citizenship lawyer in Texas
Green card lawyer
What is the fastest way to get a green card?
Green card attorney in Houston
Deportation defense lawyer
Can I stop a deportation order?
Deportation attorney in Fort Worth
Asylum lawyer
How to seek asylum in the United States?
Asylum attorney in Dallas-Fort Worth
Bankruptcy Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Phoenix)
Bankruptcy attorney
Should I file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
Bankruptcy lawyer in Phoenix
Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer
Who qualifies for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 attorney in Arizona
Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer
How does Chapter 13 repayment work?
Chapter 13 lawyer in Scottsdale
Debt relief attorney
Can a lawyer help with credit card debt?
Debt relief lawyer in Mesa
Foreclosure defense lawyer
Can I stop foreclosure with bankruptcy?
Foreclosure attorney in Phoenix
Medical Malpractice Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Boston)
Medical malpractice lawyer
How to prove medical malpractice?
Malpractice attorney in Boston
Birth injury attorney
Can I sue for birth injury complications?
Birth injury lawyer in Massachusetts
Surgical error lawyer
What to do after a botched surgery?
Surgery error lawyer in Cambridge
Misdiagnosis attorney
Can I sue a doctor for misdiagnosis?
Misdiagnosis lawyer in Worcester
Hospital negligence lawyer
How to file a lawsuit against a hospital?
Hospital negligence attorney in Boston
Intellectual Property (IP) Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: San Diego)
Intellectual property lawyer
How to protect my business trademark?
IP lawyer in San Diego
Patent attorney
How to file a patent application?
Patent lawyer in California
Copyright lawyer
What is copyright infringement?
Copyright attorney in San Diego
Trademark registration lawyer
How long does it take to trademark a name?
Trademark attorney in La Jolla
Trade secret lawyer
How to legally protect trade secrets?
Trade secret attorney in Oceanside
Social Security & Disability Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Denver)
Social Security disability lawyer
How to apply for SSDI benefits?
SSDI attorney in Denver
Disability claim attorney
Why was my disability claim denied?
Disability lawyer in Colorado
Veterans disability lawyer
VA disability claim process
Veterans lawyer in Boulder
Workers’ compensation lawyer
How long does a workers’ comp case take?
Workers’ comp attorney in Denver
Long-term disability lawyer
Can I get disability benefits permanently?
Disability benefits attorney in Colorado Springs
Consumer Protection Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Orlando)
Consumer protection attorney
Can I sue a company for false advertising?
Consumer lawyer in Orlando
Lemon law attorney
What qualifies for a lemon law claim?
Lemon law lawyer in Florida
Debt collection defense lawyer
How to stop harassment from debt collectors?
Debt defense attorney in Tampa
Identity theft lawyer
What to do if my identity is stolen?
Identity fraud attorney in Miami
Credit report dispute lawyer
How to fix errors on my credit report?
Credit dispute lawyer in Jacksonville
Education & Special Needs Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Philadelphia)
Education lawyer
Can I sue a school for discrimination?
Education attorney in Philadelphia
Special education attorney
Legal rights for children with disabilities
Special needs lawyer in Pennsylvania
Student rights lawyer
Can a school punish a student unfairly?
Student rights attorney in Philly
College disciplinary lawyer
What to do if expelled from college?
College lawyer in Pennsylvania
School bullying attorney
Can I take legal action against school bullying?
Bullying lawyer in Allentown
Environmental & Land Use Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Seattle)
Environmental lawyer
What are my legal rights regarding pollution?
Environmental attorney in Seattle
Land use attorney
Can I challenge a zoning law?
Land use lawyer in Washington
Water rights attorney
Who owns water on private property?
Water law attorney in Olympia
Endangered species lawyer
How to fight for wildlife conservation?
Wildlife attorney in Tacoma
Pollution lawsuit attorney
Can I sue a company for pollution?
Pollution lawyer in King County
Civil Rights Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Washington D.C.)
Civil rights lawyer
What to do if my civil rights are violated?
Civil rights attorney in Washington D.C.
Discrimination attorney
Can I sue my employer for discrimination?
Discrimination lawyer in Maryland
Police brutality lawyer
What legal actions can I take against police misconduct?
Police misconduct lawyer in D.C.
Wrongful arrest attorney
Can I sue for being falsely arrested?
False arrest attorney in Virginia
Hate crime defense lawyer
What qualifies as a hate crime?
Hate crime attorney in Baltimore
Military Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: San Antonio)
Military lawyer
What are my legal rights as a soldier?
Military attorney in San Antonio
Court-martial defense attorney
Can I appeal a military conviction?
Court-martial lawyer in Texas
VA benefits lawyer
How to apply for VA disability benefits?
VA disability attorney in Fort Hood
Military divorce lawyer
How is a military divorce different from a civilian one?
Military divorce attorney in El Paso
Security clearance lawyer
How to appeal a denied security clearance?
Clearance attorney in Houston
Aviation Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Los Angeles)
Aviation lawyer
Who is responsible for an airplane accident?
Aviation attorney in Los Angeles
Pilot license defense lawyer
Can I fight an FAA license suspension?
FAA lawyer in California
Aircraft accident attorney
Can I sue an airline for injury?
Airline accident lawyer in LA
Air travel rights lawyer
What are my rights if my flight is delayed or canceled?
Passenger rights lawyer in Orange County
Aviation business attorney
What legal regulations affect private aviation?
Private aviation lawyer in Santa Monica
Maritime & Admiralty Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: New Orleans)
Maritime lawyer
What are my rights as a seafarer?
Maritime attorney in New Orleans
Jones Act attorney
How do I file a Jones Act claim?
Jones Act lawyer in Louisiana
Cruise ship injury lawyer
Can I sue a cruise line for an injury?
Cruise ship accident lawyer in Miami
Boating accident attorney
Who is liable in a boating accident?
Boating injury lawyer in Gulf Coast
Cargo shipping dispute lawyer
What are my legal rights in a shipping dispute?
Cargo dispute lawyer in Mobile
Sports & Entertainment Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: New York City)
Entertainment lawyer
What contracts do musicians need?
Entertainment attorney in NYC
Sports contract attorney
How to negotiate a sports contract?
Sports lawyer in Brooklyn
Intellectual property lawyer
How do copyright laws apply to artists?
IP attorney for entertainers in Manhattan
Media rights attorney
Who owns the rights to TV and film content?
Media lawyer in Hollywood
Athlete representation lawyer
What legal issues do professional athletes face?
Athlete contract lawyer in Queens
Cannabis Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Denver)
Cannabis business lawyer
How to start a legal cannabis business?
Marijuana business attorney in Denver
Dispensary license attorney
What are the legal requirements for dispensaries?
Cannabis license lawyer in Boulder
Marijuana defense lawyer
Can I get a marijuana conviction expunged?
Drug defense lawyer in Colorado Springs
CBD law attorney
Are CBD products legal nationwide?
CBD lawyer in Fort Collins
Hemp industry lawyer
What are the legal regulations around hemp farming?
Hemp business attorney in Grand Junction
Aviation & Space Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Houston)
Space law attorney
What legal issues affect space exploration?
Space law lawyer in Houston
Satellite contract lawyer
How are satellite agreements regulated?
Satellite business attorney in Texas
FAA compliance lawyer
How to get FAA approval for commercial flights?
FAA compliance attorney in Austin
Aerospace patent attorney
What patents apply to space technology?
Aerospace IP lawyer in Dallas
Drone regulation lawyer
What are the FAA rules for commercial drones?
Drone law attorney in San Antonio
Animal Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Portland)
Animal rights lawyer
What are the legal protections for pets?
Animal rights attorney in Portland
Veterinary malpractice lawyer
Can I sue a vet for malpractice?
Vet malpractice lawyer in Oregon
Service animal attorney
Can my landlord deny my service dog?
Service dog lawyer in Eugene
Dog bite lawyer
Who is liable for a dog bite injury?
Dog attack attorney in Salem
Animal abuse defense attorney
What legal defenses exist for animal abuse charges?
Animal cruelty lawyer in Beaverton
Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Silicon Valley)
Cybersecurity lawyer
What are my rights if my data is stolen?
Cybersecurity attorney in Silicon Valley
Data breach attorney
Can I sue a company for a data breach?
Data breach lawyer in San Francisco
Online privacy lawyer
How to legally protect my personal data?
Internet privacy attorney in Palo Alto
Social media defamation lawyer
Can I sue for defamation on social media?
Social media lawyer in Mountain View
Identity theft attorney
What legal actions can I take if my identity is stolen?
Identity theft lawyer in Oakland
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Law Keywords
Primary Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Local Keywords (Example: Miami)
Crypto lawyer
What are the legal risks of cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency attorney in Miami
Blockchain regulation attorney
How is blockchain technology legally regulated?
Blockchain lawyer in Florida
NFT lawyer
Are NFTs legally protected?
NFT attorney in Fort Lauderdale
Crypto fraud attorney
How to report cryptocurrency fraud?
Crypto fraud lawyer in Tampa
Smart contract lawyer
How do smart contracts work legally?
Smart contract attorney in Orlando
Choosing the Best Legal Keywords for SEO Success
Picking the right SEO keywords for lawyers is crucial for ranking higher on Google. But how do you know which keywords will drive the most traffic to your website? Here’s a step-by-step approach to finding the best ones.
Understanding Keyword Types
Legal keywords can be divided into three categories:
Short-Tail Keywords (Broad) – These are general and highly competitive terms like:
“Lawyer”
“Attorney”
“Legal services”
While these have high search volume, they are also harder to rank for.
Long-Tail Keywords (Specific) – More targeted search terms like:
“Best divorce lawyer in [city]”
“Affordable criminal defense attorney”
“Slip and fall lawyer near me”
These keywords attract clients who are ready to hire a lawyer, making them highly valuable.
Local Keywords – Since most people look for attorneys within their area, local SEO is key:
“Personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles”
“Chicago estate planning attorney”
“Miami real estate lawyer”
Google prioritizes local results, so optimizing for your city or region can bring in more clients.
How to Find the Right Keywords
Use Google Autocomplete: Start typing a legal service in Google, and it will suggest the most popular searches.
Google’s “People Also Ask” Section: These questions show what potential clients are searching for.
SEO Tools: Platforms like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Keyword Planner help identify high-ranking legal keywords.
Analyze Competitors: Check what keywords top-ranking law firms are using and integrate them into your strategy.
The key is to balance high-traffic and low-competition keywords. Now, let’s dive into how to effectively use these keywords on your website.
Joydeep Bhattacharya is a digital marketing evangelist who has over 15 years of experience in online marketing. He helps businesses improve their revenue online. He is a regular contributor to SEMrush, Ahrefs, Search Engine Watch, Hubspot, Smart Insights, and several other publications.
