Lawyer

Snapshot

Career Cluster(s): Government & Public Administration, Law, Public Safety & Security

Interests: Law, business, writing, research, resolving conflict, communicating with others, helping others

Earnings (Yearly Median): $135,740 per year $65.26 per hour

Employment & Outlook: 8% (Faster than average)

Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree

Related Work Experience None

On-the-job-Training None

Overview

Sphere of Work. Lawyers (also called attorneys) work within the legal system. They represent the rights and interests of individuals, corporations, and other entities under federal, state, and even international law. Lawyers work in a wide array of areas, such as regulatory compliance, criminal law, lobbying, business and industries, probate, and human rights. Attorneys work in law offices, business offices, government agencies, and courtrooms. Some attorneys are self-employed, either working in their own practices or as partners in a law firm. To some, attorneys act as counsels, providing advice on everyday business and personal activities. For others, lawyers act as an advocate, speaking on their behalf in court during criminal or civil proceedings.

Work Environment. Lawyers typically work in office environments. Large law firms are often fast-paced, with lawyers meeting with clients, preparing and filing paperwork, conducting research, and performing other legal tasks. Attorneys at smaller firms or practices must often perform more tasks than their counterparts at larger firms or practices. Government agencies and major business corporations typically retain or employ attorneys who perform research, write position papers, and issue recommendations for changes in action based on new laws and regulations.

Lawyers usually work long and sometimes erratic hours, including late nights and weekends. They should expect to work within a highly competitive environment, both during and after their job search. Private law firms and government law offices may be strikingly different in terms of financial resources and tend to offer different rates of compensation. Different lawyers may also specialize in different areas of the law, such as corporate law, environmental law, or malpractice cases.

Occupation Interest. Although the work of an attorney is often very challenging, it can also be exciting and rewarding. Lawyers are considered experts in the field of law and use this expertise to help others conduct business, deal with legal troubles, protect the environment, and write legislation. Many attorneys become judges or politicians, while others use their knowledge to help a business grow and profit in the marketplace.

A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. An attorney’s daily responsibilities vary based on the type of law in which the individual works or specializes. A staff attorney or legal counsel for a major business corporation spends much of their day analyzing regulations and legislation, researching legal precedents, studying tax codes, meeting with government officials, writing legal correspondence, attending negotiations, and drafting contracts and other legal documents. Private lawyers may perform these activities as well, although, in the absence of large numbers of coworkers, they may also perform administrative tasks, including billing and office management.

Lawyers who work as advocates in the court system perform many of the tasks as other attorneys but also focus on proceedings in the courts. They research previous judicial decisions, interview witnesses and litigants, meet with judges and opposing attorneys, prepare courtroom questions and comments, review testimony, file motions, select juries, and, during hearings and trials, present evidence on their client's behalf.

In addition to their work on behalf of clients, many attorneys perform a number of other activities. For example, they often perform academic work, teach at law schools and other universities, and write scholarly papers for law journals and similar periodicals. Many attorneys work with the poor or impoverished, assist in disputes between clients and landlords, and provide advice on personal financial decisions.

District Attorneys (110.117-010). District Attorneys, also known as prosecuting attorneys, city attorneys, or solicitors, conduct prosecution in court proceedings for a city, county, state, or the federal government.

Corporation Lawyers (110.117-022). Corporation Lawyers advise corporations on legal rights, obligations, and privileges in accordance with the Constitution, statutes, decisions, and ordinances.

Patent Lawyers (110.117-026). Patent Lawyers specialize in patent law and advise clients, such as inventors, investors, and manufacturers on whether an invention can be patented and other issues, such as infringement on patents, validity of patents, and similar items.

Environmental Lawyers. Environmental Lawyers specialize in the policies of environmental law and help their clients to follow those statutes. They may help clients to properly prepare and file for licenses and applications and represent parties such as interest groups and construction firms in their dealings with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Work Environment

Immediate Physical Environment. Lawyers work primarily in office settings, such as law firms, government agencies, corporate headquarters, and similar business environments and home offices. They also attend hearings and trials in courtrooms, conduct research in law libraries, and meet with clients and other individuals at their homes or at other locations, including prisons.

Human Environment. Lawyers work with a wide variety of other people. During legal and civil cases, these individuals interact with clients and opposing litigants, judges, witnesses, law enforcement officials, and courtroom professionals. Outside the courtroom, lawyers interact with business executives, elected and government officials, paralegals, labor representatives, and administrative personnel.

Technological Environment. Lawyers will rely on office computer systems and related software to prepare cases, draft motions, and write correspondence. They may use presentation equipment, such as laptop projectors, video units, and similar equipment, for presenting courtroom evidence and for off-site presentations.

Education, Training, and Advancement

High School/Secondary. High school students who plan to become lawyers are encouraged to take courses that help build their understanding of the law, such as history, political science, social studies, business, and economics. They would also benefit from taking courses that build communication and writing skills, such as composition and public speaking classes.

Postsecondary. Aspiring attorneys need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as history, political science, government, or public safety, with a focus on pre-law studies. After they receive their undergraduate degree, they must enter an accredited law school, where they will pursue their juris doctorate degree.

− Human Resources Specialist/Manager

− Legal Secretary

− Paralegal

Bibliography

"Lawyers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm. Accessed 10 Sept. 2023.