The American Bar Association estimates that at least 3,500 attorneys and staff lost their jobs in March 2009.
In February, the group estimates 2,000 jobs were lost, with 1,500 on the street in January.
Firms that did not report solid layoff numbers were not included in the tally.
In just the last week, JDJournal estimated the loss of 455 lawyers and 219 staff; the week before, 91 lawyers and 177 staff; and the week before that, 574 lawyers and 812 staff.