In one of the most challenging years for the State of Israel, a surprising counter-trend has emerged: a significant increase in lawyers immigrating to Israel and redirecting their legal careers to the country. While sectors like high-tech and medicine experience concerning "brain drain," the legal profession shows remarkable growth in professionals choosing to make Israel their home and career center.
The numbers tell a compelling story: approximately 49 lawyers immigrated to Israel in 2024, nearly double the 27 who arrived in 2023. This represents part of a broader pattern – in the past five years, 257 lawyers under age 67 have made aliyah, with the peak occurring in 2021 when 64 legal professionals immigrated due to escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Jeremy Lustman, partner and head of DLA Piper Israel group, considers this nothing short of a phenomenon. Recently, Lustman organized a specialized conference in New York that attracted 75 participants from Israel's business leadership, bringing together prominent Israeli law firms and technology companies. He views this migration as injecting valuable human capital into Israel's legal system, with these lawyers bringing international experience, business networks, and deep understanding of the American market.
"This is indeed a phenomenon," Lustman affirmed. "When you combine the number of new immigrants over the past five years, it represents a significant total. If we examine how many Israelis leave for the US each summer to work in high-tech, we see substantial cumulative numbers. So I wouldn't focus solely on 'how many relocated this summer?' or 'how many moved last year?' For many families, immigration is a years-long process involving considerations about location, career opportunities, income sources, and children's needs. Looking at all professionals continuing to immigrate yearly, the immigrant community here represents a tremendous phenomenon. Much of this relates to advancing the conversation and helping immigrants recognize the opportunities available in Israel."
Integration into Israel's legal landscape
When asked whether these lawyers primarily operate in the local market or represent Israeli companies internationally, Lustman explained the varied paths they take: "It's a combination. Some immigrate to Israel and join companies as employees, assisting Israeli businesses both domestically and internationally. Others represent foreign law firms in Israel, helping Israeli clients with overseas matters. Israeli law firms increasingly recognize the advantage of employing foreign-trained attorneys."
He offers a practical example: "If you're an American lawyer specializing in real estate, you can join one of the Israeli firms with numerous clients wanting to conduct business in the US. You have the opportunity to participate in these processes, providing the firm with a significant competitive advantage."
Language barriers diminishing
Regarding potential language barriers, Lustman observed a significant shift: "Today, it's much less of an issue than previously. In legal practice, most communication, projects, and documents are in English. More Israeli law firms recognize the value of employing English-speaking lawyers, particularly as they seek involvement in international projects and transactions. They definitely appreciate attorneys with high-level English proficiency."
He adds a nuanced perspective on language requirements: "While learning Hebrew remains important when immigrating to Israel, for lawyers working in international fields, English proficiency is a tremendous advantage – not just a skill to get by, but a significant professional asset."
Appeal despite regional challenges
When questioned about Israel's attractiveness amid ongoing conflict, Lustman offered a thoughtful assessment: "I think in some ways the situation is challenging because of the war. But conflict doesn't necessarily make Israel less safe. Seeing more immigrants arriving reinforces the sense that this is the Jewish people's homeland."
He connected this immigration trend to rising global concerns: "Combined with increasing antisemitism abroad, I believe many Anglo-Saxon Jews in America are experiencing a moment of sobering reality. They're questioning where they truly belong when confronted with campus antisemitism and hate crimes across the US and Europe. Jews in these regions don't feel particularly secure right now – these aren't especially safe places for Jewish communities."
Lustman acknowledged recent difficulties while maintaining perspective: "Obviously, certain periods present greater challenges, and this past year has been exceptionally difficult. But if you ask immigrants whether they're happy here or would prefer returning to America, most would likely say 'we're happy to be here; we feel this is our home, our homeland.' I believe this wholeheartedly."
He also considered practical considerations: "People don't view immigrating as a career risk. American life creates tremendous pressure with its high cost of living. Even without the war context, many have long sought the change that Israel makes possible, as the relative cost of living here is substantially lower than in the US."
Lasting impact on Israel's legal sector
Regarding how this specialized workforce influences Israel's legal landscape, Lustman saw a transformation already underway: "Fifteen years ago when I immigrated, far fewer companies employed new immigrant lawyers. This has changed significantly because the approach proved successful and became more logical. Every major firm in Israel now employs immigrant lawyers, which perpetuates the trend."
He highlighted institutional changes facilitating this growth: "More foreign law firms now operate in Israel, establishing dedicated departments for the Israeli market. This development has created numerous opportunities for foreign lawyers wanting to live and work here."
The impact extends beyond law firms: "Large technology companies increasingly conduct business internationally, and for them, integrating foreign-trained lawyers into their teams represents a valuable strategic asset."
DLA Piper stands among the world's largest law firms, employing nearly 5,000 lawyers across 50 countries including Israel. Its client roster features prominent global companies, innovative startups, and more than half of Fortune 250 businesses. Active in Israel since 2012 under Jeremy Lustman's leadership, the firm advises approximately 200 Israeli clients – both institutional entities and private companies – on international transactions totaling billions of dollars.
