Lawyer

Job Description

Lawyers, also called attorneys, are specially trained to represent clients in civil and criminal trials, arguing their client’s case before a judge or jury. They give legal advice to their clients on matters such as their legal rights, plea bargains or testifying in court. Both defense attorneys and prosecutors use convincing arguments, as well as evidence obtained by law enforcement and their own research, to advocate for their client. Because of their legal expertise, lawyers also serve as consultants and on legal teams for corporations, municipalities and individuals. Lawyers are well-versed in case law, statutory law and courtroom procedure, but they may specialize in specific areas, such as patent law, family law or bankruptcy. Outside of the courtroom, they meet and interview clients; conduct research and prepare for trials with the assistance of paralegals and other legal staff; and sometimes serve as a liaison between their client and the media in high-profile cases.

Educational Requirements

Anyone who plans on becoming a lawyer must follow pretty much the same educational path to become licensed to practice law. The process typically takes at least 7 years. First, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years. No particular undergraduate major is required, but many students choose a criminal justice major for their foundation. Some of the most popular pre-law majors at some schools include political science, business and international relations. It is imperative that students maintain a high GPA in their undergraduate education, as entry into law school is extremely competitive. After you have earned your bachelor’s degree, you must sit for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to become eligible for entry into a law school approved by the American Bar Association. Because you will face so much competition from peers, it is recommended that you apply to three or more law schools to increase your likelihood of acceptance. In law school, you will be offered the opportunity to specialize in the area of law of your choice during the three-year program.

Career Outlook and Salary

Job opportunities for lawyers are expected to increase by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is considered average growth when compared with all the other occupations tracked by the government. The Bureau cautions that would-be lawyers will not only face sharp competition for entry into law school, but they will also face competition for jobs over the next 10 years. However, just more than a quarter of all lawyers are self-employed or partners in a law firm, so if you are particularly ambitious, you will have the opportunity to launch your own firm. Much of what draws people to the profession is the pay. The median yearly salary for all salaried lawyers is $110,590. However, starting out nine months after you’ve finished law school, you can expect to earn something closer to $68,000 annually, according to 2007 data compiled by the National Association of Law Placement.