Lawyer Job Description, Career as a Lawyer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job
lawyers school firms bar
Education and Training Advanced degree
Salary Median—$94,930 per year
Employment Outlook Good
Definition and Nature of the Work
Lawyers serve as both advocates and advisers. As advocates, they speak for their clients in court by presenting supportive evidence. As advisers, they counsel their clients on their legal rights and obligations. Lawyers—also called attorneys and counselors—can interpret laws, apply laws to specific situations, and draft new laws.
Much of their work involves researching precedents, which are earlier interpretations of laws and the history of judicial decisions based on that law. Lawyers use precedents to support their cases in court. Many resources—from law libraries and public documents to computer databases and the Internet—are available to lawyers for research.
Many lawyers specialize. Criminal lawyers, for example, are hired by people facing prosecution for crimes. Public defenders are employed by the government to represent people who cannot afford to pay lawyers.
Some lawyers handle only civil cases, which do not involve criminal misconduct. For example, divorce and damage suits fall under civil law. Labor law concerns disputes between management and unionized workers, while patent law concerns disputes over the rights to inventions. Real estate law controls the purchase, sale, rental, and development of land and buildings. Some attorneys specialize in international law, the system of treaties and informal agreements between nations.
Some lawyers practice corporate law. They advise corporations on their rights, responsibilities, and obligations in business transactions. They may also represent the companies in government investigations and hearings.
Most lawyers have private practices that handle many kinds of legal problems. Some work for larger law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Others teach law. Some lawyers become district attorneys or judges, while many enter politics.
In addition to representing clients in a court of law, lawyers draw up legal documents and handle out-of-court settlements. They spend much of their time preparing arguments and researching precedents.
Education and Training Requirements
Most lawyers obtain bachelor's degrees and law school degrees. Helpful college courses include English, history, political science, economics, and social science. Those who want to be patent attorneys often major in engineering, while future tax lawyers get accounting degrees.
Occasionally, students are offered early admission to law school after two or three years of college. But most students complete college before going on to three years of law school. Good scores on the Law School Aptitude Test are required for admission. Law school courses include classes in contracts, property law, criminal law, and constitutional law. In the last two years of law school, students specialize in the areas of law in which they hope to work.
Law graduates must be admitted to the bar, or organization of lawyers, in the states in which they want to practice. In most states admission to the bar requires graduating from law school and passing bar examinations. In some states candidates are permitted to take bar examinations if they have substituted legal work experience for formal training. Those who do not attend law school must study law on their own to prepare for the examinations. In certain states graduates of "preferential" law schools may be admitted to the bar without taking the examinations. Some state bars have cooperative arrangements that allow lawyers who are members of the bar in one state to practice in another state without taking that state's bar exam.
Getting the Job
Law school placement offices usually help graduates find jobs. Many law firms and corporations send representatives to law schools to recruit graduating students. Part-time or summer jobs during law school sometimes lead to permanent jobs after graduation. Students with good grades and students who have worked on the law reviews published by each law school have the best chances to be hired by top law firms.
Job seekers who are interested in working for the government should take civil service tests. Many corporations, including insurance companies, banks, accounting firms, and manufacturers, employ lawyers. Newspaper classified ads and job banks on the Internet may provide other employment leads.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Most beginning lawyers start in salaried positions as associates in law firms or as research assistants or law clerks to experienced lawyers or judges. After several years of experience, they may become partners in their firms or set up their own practices. Some lawyers go into politics or become judges. Some become prosecutors or district attorneys.
About seven hundred and thirty-five thousand lawyers practice nationwide. The demand for lawyers is expected to grow as fast as the average for all jobs through 2014. However, many people are entering the profession, so competition for available jobs may be stiff. Lawyers who want to work for law firms will find the best opportunities in big cities, while those who are interested in setting up their own practices will find more opportunities in small towns or suburban areas.
Working Conditions
Lawyers often work long hours while preparing for court cases. Those in private practice can schedule their own workloads, while lawyers who work for law firms are assigned cases and must often work overtime to prepare for appearances in court or to draw up legal documents. All lawyers must spend some time keeping up with new laws and court decisions in their areas of interest.
Earnings and Benefits
In 2004 the median salary for all lawyers was $94,930 per year. The median earnings of all state and local government lawyers ranged from $70,280 to $73,410 per year, while the median for federal government lawyers was $108,070 per year. Those who entered practice in large law firms started with salaries ranging from $34,000 to $80,000 per year.
Lawyers who start their own practices right after graduating from law school generally earn very little for the first few years. As their businesses grow, however, they can do quite well. The most experienced lawyers can earn between $130,000 and $1 million per year. Associates in law firms are paid salaries and receive raises as they take on more responsibilities. After some years of experience, they may become partners in their firms and receive percentages of the firms' profits.
Lawyers generally receive health and life insurance and pension plans. Those in private practice must make their own insurance and retirement arrangements.
User Comments
over 3 years ago
This gives alot of information about being a lawyer. i didnt have to keep going to other sites to find what i need.
over 3 years ago
i agree with Jalen. This is a great site and i love it. I actually never knew some of this stuff about lawyers. I had looked into lawyers about a year ago when my parents got a divorce. I started to look into lawyer stuff almost directly after that. I really want to be a lawyer that deals with divorces and/or child abuse. I think that would be great and it would be a good way to help other kids that are going through stuff like i did. I hope i graduate from a great college and am able to get my degree and able to pass board to get my license. Please, if you have any ideas on how to help me or just relate to me, contact me. Email me. I will be glad to talk to you. I am only a teen, but i have great expectations. Thank you.
12 months ago
chicarra
wow..I am only 14 years old and i have had my life set on to be a lawyer and my English teacher had me doing a research paper on what i want to be when i get older and this site has all the information i need....its has helped my out in grade wise and not only that but now my mind is set on becoming a lawyer ...........thanks
about 1 year ago
i think this is a great websight and it needs to be aittle more striaght forward not beat aroun the bush thanks love ya (:
12 months ago
Anonymous
Very usefull
10 months ago
miniandmickyin love forever A+M forever
I like this website alot i am in seventh grade and i have to do a report on what it takes to become a lawyer so thanks uv realy helped me alot
about 1 year ago
emily
i love this page it helped me so much i cant wait to graduate and be a lawyer now thank you!!!!
about 1 year ago
I'm still young, & my family has always wanted me to be a lawyer. I really want to a a lawyer now that I found out all the facts and such. Thanks you very much for the important info.
10 months ago
Blake
I don't think this site really goes into detail about how to become a lawyer. It is a difficult bussiness to get into, but if you have determination and the skill, you will have no problem.
11 months ago
Theresa
I am doing a term paper, and this site halped me decide!!!! thanks soo much! it was really helpful! :D
12 months ago
Hannah
I am doing a research paper on lawyers because that is what i want to be when i grow up and i feel that this information really helped me out. If you are looking for more information on lawyers go to www.bls.gov/oco
about 2 years ago
susan
You're wrong, Jack!
Lawyers, they make money.
Stop wasting your time,
& get a job yourself.
People have dreams to become
Lawyers, don't crush their dreams
with your dirty Lies.
over 1 year ago
ashton
Well, i am at a very young age, but my life long dream has been to become a lawyer. Jack did have a point, but also it does ruin peoples dreams. I hope that he realizes that. I no that this profession is not going to be easy... The text above has made me see that. I hope that people follow through and achieve everything they hope for. I am determined to be a great lawyer and help hundreds of people. Believe it or not,Jack, lawyers do that even if you don't realize it. I wish you all luck!!(:
11 months ago
this is so super helpful
about 1 year ago
i am 15 years old and ive always wanted to be a lawyer and this helped me out i lot!!!! thanks for the info!!!
9 months ago
this stuff is real great honestly im not sure on my career yet but this is in my top 5...looking forward to collage:)
10 months ago
this is a very good source of information for a lawyer project im working on a job analysis and this has given me all the information needed to complete my paper thanks
11 months ago
I wanna be lawyer so bad please god help me i need yr help to be a lawyer
12 months ago
woooowwwww great info
about 1 year ago
umar zad gul kakar
hi guys i am umar khan
i am practicing as lawyer since 1995 in karachi pakistan from the very beginning i was very keen to be lawyer and that is why due my quick approach to every problem my parent preferred me to solve it or do it.
and i suggest my brother lawyer being as a lawyer we need to imagine that we are helping those who have no idea about law and whatever related to law, our duty is to guide them positive according to the circumstances of theirs case.
over 1 year ago
susan thx for ppl like you i really want to be a lawyer and its ppl like jack who burst ppls bubbles
over 3 years ago
mann yall really helped me out alot. thx for thee qreat nd helpful info. i think i wanna b a lawyer now! =]
over 3 years ago
wow this site helps alot!!! i love google!!!!!
11 months ago
I am a 7th grader
I want to be a lawyer when I grow up so I think this is the right website for me<3
10 months ago
Zach Higgins
I have a feeling that most of the people that posted before me have no idea what they are talking about. This website is very broad and needs to be more website. It's a good start to what lawyers do, but it needs to be more specific.
11 months ago
gustavo c.
this really help with my career investigation enrichment project thank you for this page........
:-)
THANK YOU
10 months ago
This is a very helpful site.Im a 11th grader and I have wanted to become a lwayer for 4 years. Ever since my first year in criminal justice i have wanted to be lawyer. I hope my wish comes true
10 months ago
I LOVE LAWYERS, they make tha word a better place some times......i hope to be a lawyer one day (:
over 3 years ago
This is absolutley perfect. This gave me all the info I needed to see what I need to do to become a lawyer. I am really looking forward to college and this shows me what I need to take as far as classes go.
7 months ago
Deanna(=
Well im in Hiqhh Skoo.. 11th qradee &'& ivee Been Wantinqq To Be Ah Lawyer Sincee i Wass In 9th Gradee... &'Well i Aintt Gonna Liee But im 0nne 0f Thosee Typess Thaat Slacksz 0ff in Skoo & Stuff.. Im 0nlyy 15 Yearss 0ldd But i Knoo Whaat i Wantt In Lifee... i Wantt To Be Ablee To Helpp Thosee In Need &'& Fiqhtt Ferr J U S T i C Ez Dreamss Comee Tuee(=
10 months ago
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Lawyers fo life.
about 3 years ago
wow!!!!!!this is just great. I really want to be a lawyer know that i know what i have 2 do.this is a great website for anyone.this really help me out alot
over 3 years ago
I loved this site it gave me all the information I really needed all in a nut-shell so to speak. I feel lawyers are "lifesavers" in a way they definitely have the ability to change the world and the futures of others. A great responsibility yet a brave one.
9 months ago
this is good
12 months ago
I am doing an i-search paper for a grade in my english class and this is a great website to get information from. Hopefully I will get an A
10 months ago
kassandra Olvera
Becoming an attorney at law has been my main goal in life i am 18 years old ill be graduating from highschool in may of 2012 what degree and what university do you recomend for me.
10 months ago
fat girl
YEAH BRO, OH YEAH.....
10 months ago
does thsi include kickbacks? (salary)
10 months ago
ashley benivitez
this site is cool omg
12 months ago
im a student at south western high school and im foin a paper on the job to being a lawyer what are the hours
12 months ago
I am doing an i-search paper for a grade in my english class and this is a great website to get information from. Hopefully I will get an A
about 1 year ago
Wow I am a student in a middle school looking at why and how this job would be interesting! This website has made me want to be a lawyer more than ever now! Thanks and keep this website going, i think that I'm going to tell my teacher about this website to check it out and how good it is! :D
9 months ago
margarita
this is really helping me for my project and gives me more hope to become a lawyer and shows other that its not that hard and you can help others and make your self a bigger person!!!!
9 months ago
shawnyce jackson
thank yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooou fooor puting this up
9 months ago
this is good
9 months ago
hi i think this website is perfect for me
8 months ago
ra
thanks for info x3
8 months ago
imran ali
dba
9 months ago
sir,
I am a post graduate in law from an Indian University.I have worked more than .20 years in multinational of repute My job responsibilities predominately were to deal with labour laws. The experience prompted me to study the employment laws of various states and to examine the scope of uniformity to the minimum extent. MY SYNOPSIS was approved by Prof. Annie Seng of Columbia University but I failed to get sponsorship to support my expenses
during the research project.
I am therefore approaching you to provide me some financial assistace/ supportive job so that I may approach a prof in germany for my project work.
Thanks,
s.c.verma
10 months ago
Stella Drake-Lafette
Hi i'm a 15 year old girl, in the eight grade.
I want to be a lawyer, and to start my own law business. So I believe this was a great website to tell me things I need to know about being a lawyer.
about 1 year ago
pony
this is good but it can do betta i like how it has difrent varieties of choices
3 months ago
glhjh
im in eight grade and ur site has helped me alot and i quite enjoyed it too. i am also pleased with my hopefully future job. its perfect for a smart-alec like me.
4 months ago
heya im in grade seven and we have a career day where we have to dress up and act and speak about it this site helped me abit and er since grade 4 wanted to become a lawyer
2 months ago
yo mama
stop writing rude comments here if you don't like this website why are you on it, quit be in rude gosh they didn't have to make this website for you .
2 months ago
this is a Very useful writing, a lot of good information.
3 months ago
If you want to buy real estate, you will have to get the personal loans. Furthermore, my father usually takes a commercial loan, which supposes to be really useful.
4 months ago
Dawn
This was a great website. I used this website for my career description for my english12 class. Thanks !!!
5 months ago
J WOW
This is all lies
9 months ago
shawnyce jackson
thank yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooou fooor puting this up
5 months ago
the one who watches u sleep xD
this website helps u when u do term papers thx guys I LUV GOOGLE!!! :D
9 months ago
nia reese
this really helped me with my school project. i have always wanted to be a lawyer so this made it even better
11 months ago
Junk
this is fun & junk..
11 months ago
hahahhahahahahahahhahahaa sooooooo stupid!!!!!!!
11 months ago
Keri Hiklsonnn
Thiss websitee iszx supper bhombb likee youu juss dnt knoee
12 months ago
do not read this page it is horrible.
12 months ago
Dalton Garrett
all of you are idiots and i am the only smart person here. so shut up and stop acting like you know what you are talking about.
P.S. This page sucks and i will destroy you all
3 months ago
I'm your daddy. Where my baby mama's at?
3 months ago
im gay yeehee
3 months ago
Lil Wayne
I'm a blood. Screw the lawyers.
3 months ago
this is lame
3 months ago
this is lame
3 months ago
Quentin McDougle
I am 16 years old live in louisville kentucky and i want to be a lawer when i grow up so just e-mail me
3 months ago
Im not a stasomebody lied they say i got A CHOPPA IN CAR
4 months ago
sharell
i really love this website i have a report to do and it is due monday all i had to do is come and paste and i got all my marks thank you very much
7 months ago
Joyti Shergill
Buying a website without search engine optimization is like spending your entire budget on a commercial without buying any air time to show it to the world.
9 months ago
ths stuff is hella weekk ths aint hellp mi with nth for mi paper yall needah take ths flippn website down oh and thnks love birds .... i wanna b a lawyer now lol stfu , ctfu no idnt i wanna ah serial killer :) and then yall can catch mi and kill mi cause im hella flippn bored up in ths class they block evrything
10 months ago
Klisa
this was help ful dhah
11 months ago
hihihihihihihihihihihi
over 2 years ago
lawyers are just a bunch of blood sucking leeches that only help a fraction of their clients. While the majority of them are being sucked dry through court costs, fines and much more expenses that do not need to be added on by a lawyers hefty fee.
about 1 month ago
emma
good
about 1 month ago
Arthur
This is a great site to look up information on Lawyers...... Thank you
about 1 month ago
kyle&Destiny=bffs!!!~!!!
this website is boaring but infomatuional. also ppl on here have bad comments and are buttfaces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love ya!!kiss kiss!<3
2 months ago
josue
Im 15 years old and Im still not too sure what i want to be when i grow up but one of my choices is lawyer and this has helped me alot about understanding what a lawyer does and the different professions their is in being a lawyer.
3 months ago
For the type of information Ive ever found on law, this has to be, by far, the most resourceful information. I found more things on here in 5 minutes, then i have in 2 months! I like this website. :)
3 months ago
great
3 months ago
Bob Marley
Hey kids! Stay high and be a mothfuxin Boss.
5 months ago
uofhlc
Im a high school seniior '12 , since i was a little girl i've wanted to become a lawyer. After reading everything above it has only made more more excited and ready to go to college and study law. With gods will i will be there soon. Thanks!!
9 months ago
abby sant
duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
9 months ago
natalie
i am going to become a lawyer when i grow up and this all the information you need to become one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 months ago
anonymous
hahaha nerds
3 months ago
This is a great website for me because it provieds info in all things my ex wanted to be when we were young but i learned in my 65 years that he didnt make it. I heard he has a major beer gut and is living with his mom. Its so sad but thats what he got oh darn for him. I also heard he wera superhero clothes all the time but you cant hurt him for shooting for the stars.......but he fell flat...
4 months ago
76rt
8 months ago
cng
thank 4 the info(x100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000)
9 months ago
sir,
I am a post graduate in law from an Indian University.I have worked more than .20 years in multinational of repute My job responsibilities predominately were to deal with labour laws. The experience prompted me to study the employment laws of various states and to examine the scope of uniformity to the minimum extent. MY SYNOPSIS was approved by Prof. Annie Seng of Columbia University but I failed to get sponsorship to support my expenses
during the research project.
I am therefore approaching you to provide me some financial assistace/ supportive job so that I may approach a prof in germany for my project work.
Thanks,
s.c.verma
10 months ago
vfadshgfjuyngf
8 months ago
oh what a site! i LOVE this site for crying out load.thank you very much. MY DREAM WILL SURELY COME TRUE
3 months ago
i believe that the man at the top had bad breath because i could smell it through the computer but this site does help people but i dont like lawyers because they are always to da'gum skinny! except my friend that is sittin next to me ya see were 80 and she always dreamed of bein a huge lawyer....but she didnt get there. she just ended up in a trailer park called beard city for women. now if you want to discuss this with me,call me later pookie! the nUmber is 912-381-REJECTION!oh and by the way my other friend now has a mustache and she likes young men, her names lori.... but she is a nice friend so dont make fun of her please young people of america, just remeber her as she was when she was young, wait she was the same nerr' mind. peace and blessings,, and im on here for my grandaughter and she really approves of this site!thanks for all the help and your time,jayjay.
4 months ago
heyy wuanya dhiz is quanterria jones dont kall or txt me no byee :(
7 months ago
ross
I'm only twelve and already have a successful dream or more likely a expectation of becoming a lawyer.It is not too early to plan decisions that are the very important in life.This site was very helpful to me. Such great and super helpful information.
9 months ago
LALALQRW
I am righting a reserch paper and this was helpfull!!
9 months ago
i am a 6th grader at dowlling im studing to be a lawyer plese help me thank you and have a grate day.
9 months ago
i am a 6th grader at dowlling im studing to be a lawyer plese help me thank you and have a grate day.
10 months ago
Big Ale
dis website is what up dawg u feel me? whoop whoop whoop
3 months ago
purple
I
3 months ago
Amber
This was very helpful. Im 17 and I plan to become a criminal lawyer after high school. Thanks for the information.
5 months ago
Jeremy
Wow, thanks to this website i finished my entire English report on what we want to be when we grow up thanks so much. It also made me realize how much i really want to be a lawyer. So anyway thanks for helping me out on my English report.
3 months ago
as+cp =<3
this site was sooo helpful! i have 2do a career research paper 4 writing and i have most of my info now!!!!
11 months ago
kat
hahhahahahhaahhahahahahahahahhahsahahahahahahahhaahaaha this is sooooo stupid!!!!!!!!
9 months ago
Dexter Lopez
Rotfl
about 1 month ago
- i am not really sure what i want to do but i am heading towards law so can someone help me decide what am i going to do .
about 1 month ago
emma
i agree brandin this is lame
about 1 month ago
this is a crapy website you pieces ship go to hell you assholes
about 1 month ago
dalton think hes cool he is acting like a b**** and a fool
19 days ago
PrincessHood
I'm a 6 grader and want to be a lawyer so fing bad that I would kill to be one eva since I wuz 6 yrs old
about 12 hours ago
Anonymous
these pictures have so0me serious issues... PENIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 days ago
michael
hi my name is michael im only ten i go to lsu university and im so glad that you guys are looking at my site i hope i put enough info for you and bless you all
5 days ago
thank you very much for posting this information. it really helped me on a paper due in a few days!
6 days ago
juan g.
i love porn nd fat ppl
6 days ago
i love porn
6 days ago
Jamilynn(:
I want to be a lawyer . This information was very helpful . Thanks .
6 days ago
Jamilynn(:
I want to be a lawyer . This information was very helpful . Thanks .
10 days ago
Skippyyyy(:
Copy and paste!!!!!!!! haha i goes to kaffie so ya dewd im bord :/
11 days ago
Luna Sandoval
Wow this website gave me a lot if information about lawyers ive been looking for s website that explained me about lawyers and wow this website is the best ive been wanting beung a lawyer since i was in first grade and i love social studies a lot because it teaches me about law and the goverment and i really enjoy it a lot
16 days ago
Ola
This website helped me to do my career's summative and i'm sure i will get a really good mark, Thanks.