Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Lawyers
Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Table of contents
What they do
Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Lawyers analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents. They supervise legal assistants.
A typical day for a Lawyer will also include:
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
- Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
- Act as agent, trustee, guardian, or executor for businesses or individuals.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Lawyers also present and summarize cases to judges and juries. They may also study the Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Lawyers perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law. They might also gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions, by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
In addition, they probate wills and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses.
To some Lawyers, it is also their responsibility to evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
68% said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they found their job meaningful.
My Typical Day I spend most of my day meeting with various team members, clients, and legal service professionals. Prior to COVID, the majority of those meetings we at our offices, but since COVID changed a lot of that here in Los Angeles, I spend most of my time working remotely now. We still have … Read More
I am a partner in a small law firm that represents drivers with traffic tickets and licensing issues. I work with individuals who have either received a traffic ticket or have lost their license for some reason. The job is incredibly rewarding and impactful. Being located in the Midwest, many of my clients are fearful … Read More
I’m a solo practitioner in a small town, and, in general, I enjoy my job. There is no typical day in my job as a small town solo practitioner, but, for a brief overview of “What it is Like Being a Lawyer” I thought I’d summarize one of my recent work days: Arrive at the … Read More
Being a lawyer is incredibly dynamic. There is endless variety and no day of practice is the same. Your brain is hard-wired to evaluate risk and advise accordingly. You often see the blind spots of others and have developed enough resilience to take on unfamiliar things that are thrown your way. The legal profession can … Read More
Like anything else in life, being a lawyer is what you choose to make it. I have been in practice since 1992. At times it has been maddeningly frustrating and wildly exhilarating. Over time, I have learned that to get the most out of the practice of law, you must plan for the long term, … Read More
I have been a lawyer in a variety of firm settings for twenty years. I have worked for small firms, have been in two partnerships (two-person firms), a solo practice, and now a mid-size firm. I do both transactional work and litigation for family law and estate planning clients. I practice in settings such as … Read More
I love being a practicing attorney because it allows me the opportunity to use the law to make someone’s life better. The reality of being a lawyer is that it is not as glamorous as it appears on television and the movies, and certainly lawyers do not spend most of their days arguing high-profile cases … Read More
I am a lawyer licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey. What is it like being a Lawyer? For me, it is a very interesting and exciting profession. It is certainly a lot of work, especially during business hours, but it is very fulfilling and satisfying. Thankfully, I have the benefit of having … Read More
I’m Angie Hooper, Esq., CPC and after 23 years as a lawyer licensed in Texas and Oklahoma and representing international energy and heavy manufacturing companies on complex commercial transactions and M&A deals, I help lawyers make their careers “automation-proof” and fall in love with practicing law. What’s it really like being a lawyer? One of … Read More
My name is Nicole Nina and I worked as a Paralegal in the Denver metro area for several years in an array of practices with some of the top attorneys in Colorado. I have a formal degree in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies amid other graduate degrees. No two days as a paralegal are ever … Read More
I LOVE IT! I never thought I would be an attorney. Honestly, I never thought that I was capable of it. English is technically my second language so reading comprehension was difficult to me. I looked at attorneys as having to do A LOT of reading. I also was afraid to get up in front … Read More
For me, being a lawyer is rewarding because I get to fight for those that have been injured or hurt through no fault of their own. I get to use my voice to persuade others to compensate my clients for their injuries. As a plaintiff’s lawyer, I have worked for firms that truly value work/life … Read More
I’m a Plaintiff Trial Lawyer at Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery. It’s a very dynamic career as there are so many different areas of law to practice. I am a Plaintiff’s Trial Lawyer who represents people injured or families of loved ones who were killed by the negligent conduct of someone else. I feel a great … Read More
Unlike most unhappy lawyers, I love being a lawyer, and it has opened up many amazing opportunities for me in business! Becoming a lawyer takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s the career I decided on when I watched my dad’s business get sued for $90,000. My father owned a small business … Read More
What is it like being a Lawyer? Starting out as a lawyer is tough. If you go into Big Law, the culture is brutal. You basically don’t have a life outside of work. You can easily be putting in 60-80 hours a week, every week. You will be expected to meet unrealistic deadlines and work … Read More
I practice primarily criminal defense and family law. This means I represents people accused of committing crimes and also handle divorces and child custody matters. As to criminal defense, some of my clients are in jail, which requires me to visit them as frequently as I can. The attorney-client room in most jails tends to … Read More
Being a lawyer is an experience like no other. We take an oath when we become attorneys that we will advocate for our clients and do so to the best of our ability. Being on the front line fighting for justice for your clients is filled with lots of difficulties, but the result is worth … Read More
When I walked into my office in the morning there would be emails (some with letters and/or legal documents attached) and voicemails waiting for me from clients and opposing lawyers (lawyers representing clients whom my clients sued or were sued by). The correspondence from opposing counsel was often confrontational in nature or could be more … Read More
What do lawyers do all day? People know what they see on television, or if they have had personal experience with an attorney, but most still don’t quite understand what lawyers do in their day-to-day secular lives. Most lawyers, ones with lots of cases to tend to at least, are good at managing time and … Read More
I am an attorney with 13 years of work experience and focus on the areas of Social Security Disability and Auto Accidents. Should you become a Lawyer? There are many different types of lawyers. However, in my opinion, is a common thread shared by all lawyers: Your job will require you to be extremely detail-oriented. … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
Suitable for people who want recognition, career advancement, and a prestigious career.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
One of the highest paid careers in the world.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Lawyers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $61,490 to $84,450 per year or $30 to $41 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $208,000+ | $100+ |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $189,520 | $91 |
| Median | $126,930 | $61 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $84,450 | $41 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $61,490 | $30 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Lawyers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized Design Services | $233400 | $112.21 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $221000 | $106.25 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $218360 | $104.98 |
| Cable and Other Subscription Programming | $216860 | $104.26 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $208460 | $100.22 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $206600 | $99.33 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $205640 | $98.87 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $203870 | $98.01 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $202120 | $97.18 |
| Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events | $202000 | $97.11 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Lawyers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Lawyers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Services | 401340 | $153630 | $73.86 |
| Local Government | 56790 | $111300 | $53.51 |
| State Government | 45250 | $97440 | $46.85 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 38970 | $146560 | $70.46 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 20810 | $184640 | $88.77 |
| Insurance Carriers | 10480 | $160450 | $77.14 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | 6460 | $201880 | $97.06 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 5110 | $196300 | $94.37 |
| Employment Services | 5110 | $129890 | $62.45 |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | 4750 | $162090 | $77.93 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Lawyers require a Law degree, which is often called a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and requires a Bachelor’s degree. Aspiring Lawyers may earn a Bachelor’s degree in any field before applying for law school, but History, Business, and English are the three most common majors.
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Compliance Law
Agriculture Law
Patent Law
Transportation Law
Real Estate and Land Development Law
Human Resources Law
Family/Child/Elder Law
Insurance Law
Entrepreneurship Law
Tribal/Indigenous Law
Criminal Law and Procedure
Arts and Entertainment Law
Comparative Law
Tax Law/Taxation
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business. They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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