Man being a social animal has to abide by certain rules to function harmoniously in a
society. Laws and a legal system exist to make sure every individual gets justice.
A lawyer acts as the voice of his/her client to protect a person’s rights. The client can be
an individual, organization or the government. Basically lawyers are hired as legal
representatives
because they understand the technicalities of law and act as counselors to help individuals
in a wide range of cases from criminal to civil litigation.
Over the years, the legal system has become more complex and with it the legal framework has
also diversified. Today the need to have a competent lawyer is felt even more,
as a layman is more vulnerable and has to safeguard his/her rights in different areas. A
layman cannot represent him/herself the way a specialized lawyer can, hence we find
them involved in varied areas in both public and private sector.
Lawyers are hired to help individuals navigate the legal proceedings and advise clients on
legal issues and disputes to protect their interests. Lawyers have different duties
depending on their area of specialization.
Here is a list of what lawyers do:
Since the areas of legal system are widespread so are the practice areas for a lawyer. Today
you can have your own family lawyer and a different lawyer for your company or business. In
this day and age lawyers specialize either in a particular area or few specific areas of
law. Therefore we have different types of lawyer for every legal category.
Here is a list of different types of lawyer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in May 2017 the median annual wage for
legal occupations was $80,080. Predictions are that employment in legal occupations will
grow almost 9 percent during 2016 to 2026, which means 116,200 new jobs and for lawyers the
growth is reported to be 8% during this period. Median pay for lawyers as of May 2017 is
$119,250 per year and $57.33 per hour.
The competition in this field is getting more and more intense as more people are graduating
from law schools than there are jobs available for them. The trend for more specific and
specialized legal services is increasing by the day making it more diversified and bringing
in more openings.
The following statistics are taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reflect
lawyers median annual wages as of May 2017.
| Legal Occupations | Lawyers | Total, All Occupations |
|---|---|---|
| $80,080 | $119,250 | $37,690 |
If you are interested in knowing who employs lawyers the most, below is a list of Top 4 employers:
From the look of it the need to have lawyers in every field is growing and hence lawyers
jobs are expected to grow from 2016 to 2026. The following table will give you a clearer
picture of future job growth in this field. This set of statistics is also taken from BLS.
| Total, All Occupations | Legal Occupations | Lawyers |
|---|---|---|
| 7% | 9% | 8% |
In layman terms, Lawyer’s jobs will increase at the rate of 8% from 2016 to 2026. In case
you are interested in knowing the actual number of jobs created in this field from 2016 to
2026, then here are another set of statistics taken from the BLS.
| Occupations Title | Employment, 2016 | Project Employment, 2026 | Percent | Numeric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | 792,500 | 857,500 | 8 | 65,000 |
You need a minimum of bachelor’s degree to enter a law school. It is advised that those applying should have knowledge of the curriculum and areas of study the degree offers to know what they are up for. Since law has many specialties one needs to select a study program that is relevant to your area of interest.
To get admission in a law school in the United States aspiring students have to clear the entry test known as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The score attained in this test is used to judge the aptitude of the students and helps to determine the merit of the students; hence it is a very important part of the admission process. The examination consists of multiple-choice question sections and a writing sample.
The law degree called the Juris Doctor (JD)s typically takes three years to complete. It is a nationally recognized degree for practicing law in the United States. It can be obtained from ABA-accredited law schools which signify that the law school meets the standards of study. The first year of study includes foundation courses and in second and third year you can take up elective courses such as tax, labor or any other category that is relevant to the area of specialization you wish to pursue.
To practice as a lawyer after graduating from an ABA-approved law school, you need to take
up the bar test for the state you wish to practice in. If you wish to practice in another
state then you will have to take up another bar test for that particular state.
Preparing for the bar test usually takes three months. Every state has its own test
guidelines, but generally it is a two day process. Day one covers Multistate Bar Examination
and the next day is spent on writing examinations regarding legal matters.
Other than that, there is an ethics test and a background check which needs to be cleared
before you are offered a full legal licensure and ‘admitted to the bar.’
Lawyers need to be informed of all the latest legal developments and thus they continue taking up certifications and courses. The additional certifications enhance their profile and are necessary because it affects their practice. In fact all states require the lawyers to continue with legal education after a year or three. These courses and certifications are offered by law schools, state and local bar associations as well. Some of these can also be obtained online.
Lawyer’s earnings depend on their experience, qualification and area of specialization.
There are many opportunities for lawyers to take their careers forward. Initially lawyers
start as associates or junior associates. They work with veteran lawyers to hone their craft
and learn the tricks of the trade and work their way up to become senior associates.
After gaining valuable experience some become partners in different firms while others start
their own practices. Some may move on to become a judge or attain public positions. Lawyers
also have the option to go for further education and opt for advanced degrees at both the
master’s and doctoral levels. The Master of Law (LLM)
and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are often taken up by lawyers who want to advance their
careers in research and higher education.
Do you wish to be a lawyer and want to know if you are suited for the job? Have a look at the qualities required to be good lawyer and you will have your answer.
Having analytical skills and good communication is great but not enough if you want to pursue this career seriously. What really helps in the practical world is if you can apprentice with a seasoned lawyer or judge.