The number of Minneapolis lawyers on the NLJ 350 survey jumped by 7.9 percent last year, the biggest gain among the top 25 markets in the country.

Lawyers there attributed the increase, which brought the head count to 1,878, to robust business fueled by bargain billing rates—compared with major cities on the U.S. coasts—and a strong base of local corporations and solid performers on the Fortune 500. The Twin Cities area is home to 3M Co., Best Buy Co. Inc. and Target Corp.