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.
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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.
Featured Schools
What is the job like
68% said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they found their job meaningful.
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
In Prof. Patrick Schiltz’ article, “On Being A Happy, Healthy, Ethical Member of an Unhappy, Unhealthy, Unethical Profession” Schiltz wrote that many lawyers hate their jobs, but that the lawyers “who seemed to be the happiest, who seemed to have the most balanced lives, and who seemed to have the most interesting, satisfying practices” were … 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
My workday starts with answering emails and mapping out the rest of the day. After emails, I try to tackle the most pressing tasks that have deadlines coming up, such as responding to discovery requests or filing motions. I am also taking calls throughout the day from clients, other attorneys, or doctor’s offices. I am … 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).
Salary
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 range | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $100+ | $208,000+ |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $91 | $189,520 |
| Middle (Mid 50%) | $61 | $126,930 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $41 | $84,450 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $30 | $61,490 |
Working life
Working hours
Working schedule
Working environment
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)
Should you become one
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions. 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.
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