Thinking about a career in the law? There are many opportunities for skilled professionals to work as attorneys or paralegals.

Legal and Paralegal Jobs

Working as an Attorney

Attorneys, also referred to as lawyers, are legal experts who complete many years of intensive training in order to practice law. Attorneys typically work in private practice, for corporations, or in government. Some attorneys work for legal aid societies or organizations, providing legal assistance to individuals who may be economically disadvantages.

The majority of practicing attorneys work in private practice. Many attorneys who are employed in private practice are self-employed or are shareholders in their firms, while others are employed as legal associates. Private practice attorneys typically specialize in either civil or criminal law, and provide their clients with legal counsel, advice, and litigation services to the clients they represent.

Attorneys who work in government often work as Assistant District Attorneys, public defenders, or prosecutors in the state court system. Those who work in Federal government can work for the Department of Justice or other governmental agencies. Their roles can include investigating cases, interpreting legislation, setting up procedures for regulatory enforcement, and arguing cases in both civil and criminal court as needed.

There is a common perception that attorneys spend the majority of time in court, but this is not accurate in most cases. Trial lawyers do spend a significant amount of time arguing cases, but a great deal of the work that they do actually takes place outside of the courtroom. Preparation for court cased requires a significant amount of research, including client interviews, witness depositions, and looking at past court decisions.

Attorney Training

To become a practicing attorney, it's necessary to graduate from law school and pass the Bar exam. At a minimum, the path to becoming an attorney requires seven years of formal study, including four years of undergraduate study and three years of law school. Completion of a Bachelor's degree does not guarantee admission to law school. Competition for admission can be fierce, and is based on a variety of factors including scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), undergraduate grade point average, relevant experience, and in some cases a personal interview. Law school is very intense, and typically includes an internship or clerkship which provides students with hands-on experience.

Upon graduation from law school, it is necessary to sit for the bar exam in the state in which he or she plans to practice. Attorneys who plan to practice law in more than one state, typically have to sit for the bar exam in each state in order to earn admission to its bar.

Attorney Salary Expectations

As of 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary for attorneys was $102,470, with the majority of professionals in this field earning between $69,910 and $145,600 per year.