What Does it Take to Be a Lawyer?
Lawyer Example 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.
A Day in the Life of a Lawyer
- Supervise legal assistants.
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
- Help develop federal and state programs, draft and interpret laws and legislation, and establish enforcement procedures.
- Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- Probate wills and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Lawyer?
Below is a list of the skills most Lawyers say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Lawyer
- Legal Arbitrator
- Legal Consultant
- Real Estate Attorney
- Law Writer
- Litigation Attorney
Job Outlook for Lawyers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 792,500 jobs in the United States for Lawyer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 65,000 new jobs for Lawyer by 2026. The BLS estimates 40,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Lawyer are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Lawyer Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Lawyer ranges between $58,220 and $208,000.
Lawyers who work in District of Columbia, California, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Lawyers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $117,100 |
| Alaska | $121,680 |
| Arizona | $145,750 |
| Arkansas | $98,780 |
| California | $171,550 |
| Colorado | $147,560 |
| Connecticut | $153,640 |
| District of Columbia | $192,530 |
| Florida | $128,920 |
| Georgia | $128,930 |
| Hawaii | $111,290 |
| Idaho | $99,360 |
| Illinois | $152,980 |
| Indiana | $113,360 |
| Iowa | $112,630 |
| Kansas | $109,020 |
| Kentucky | $100,100 |
| Louisiana | $105,490 |
| Maine | $107,120 |
| Maryland | $128,340 |
| Massachusetts | $165,610 |
| Michigan | $110,180 |
| Minnesota | $119,330 |
| Mississippi | $97,990 |
| Missouri | $113,780 |
| Montana | $88,600 |
| Nebraska | $108,170 |
| Nevada | $138,920 |
| New Hampshire | $125,890 |
| New Jersey | $139,020 |
| New Mexico | $105,910 |
| New York | $167,110 |
| North Carolina | $129,990 |
| North Dakota | $107,290 |
| Ohio | $121,520 |
| Oklahoma | $118,790 |
| Oregon | $119,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $138,610 |
| Rhode Island | $125,330 |
| South Carolina | $105,320 |
| South Dakota | $109,070 |
| Tennessee | $124,470 |
| Texas | $150,250 |
| Utah | $112,380 |
| Vermont | $107,490 |
| Virginia | $139,180 |
| Washington | $136,480 |
| West Virginia | $98,630 |
| Wisconsin | $130,450 |
| Wyoming | $105,600 |
What Tools & Technology do Lawyers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Lawyers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft Publisher
- LexisNexis
- Tax software
- Google Analytics
- Fund accounting software
- Corel WordPerfect
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS
- Novell GroupWise
How to Become a Lawyer
What education is needed to be a Lawyer?
What work experience do I need to become a Lawyer?
Lawyers Sector
Below are examples of industries where Lawyers work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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References:
Image Credit: Okan Г‡alД±Еџkan via CC0 Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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