Lawyers Career

As a reward for the stringent nature of the educational and employment process, lawyers earn high salaries. The BLS reports that lawyers saw mean annual earnings of $118,280 in 2007. Those working directly in legal services occupations earned $124,230, while those working in local and state government earned $87,130 and $78,310, respectively.



Although lawyers affect nearly every aspect of society in a range of positions and industries, their basic duties are the same--to represent the needs of their clients in civil and criminal trials. However, other job duties vary dramatically. Lawyers can specialize in bankruptcy, international, elder, probate, or environmental law. The growing field of intellectual property is also seeing a growing level of attention from lawyers.

Some lawyers spend more time in the courtroom than others, working as trial lawyers. While some lawyers work in private practice, others find employment in government, legal aid societies, or within corporations.

Lawyer Training and Education
Competition for law school is intense, and is viewed as the first of many challenges for aspiring lawyers. A four-year college degree plus three years of law school are the basic educational requirements for lawyers. After formal training, candidates must pass a stringent bar examination.

Even with the competitive nature of law school, graduates face still more competition as they enter the job market. Many law schools have clinical programs, clerkship, and internship opportunities, which are highly recommended as training for new lawyers. Some states require continuing education among lawyers, to keep them informed on changing legal and non-legal developments that can affect their practice.