Lawyer

What is this job like?		Back to Top

People and companies hire lawyers to give them advice and to tell them what they can and can't do under the law. Sometimes, they hire lawyers to take their side in court against other people or companies, or against the government.

Lawyers spend a lot of time doing research. To be a good lawyer, a person must be good at finding facts in books, on computers, and in other places. Lawyers also interview people to get information.

After doing research, lawyers make arguments to show that the people they work for should win in court. Some lawyers speak in court. But many lawyers don't.

Lawyers also spend time writing. They write their arguments. Lawyers also write legal documents like contracts and wills. They need to be very specific.

Lawyers do most of their work in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms. They sometimes meet in clients' homes or businesses. Some lawyers meet clients in hospitals or prisons. Lawyers often work long hours, especially during a trial in court.

How do you get ready?		Back to Top

Lawyers need a license from the State in which they want to work. To get a license, people need to get a college degree and then go to law school for 3 years. Competition for admission to most law schools is intense. Finally, lawyers must pass a test called the bar examination.

Even after they start working, lawyers need to keep on learning about changes in the law. Most States make lawyers take classes from time to time.

To start getting ready for this job, students can take English classes to learn how to write, do research, and make presentations. Social studies classes teach about research and the law. People who want to be lawyers also need strong reading skills. They also need to be good at dealing with people.

How much does this job pay?		Back to Top

Lawyers are some of the highest paid workers.

Many lawyers work for themselves. But other lawyers work for governments and private organizations. They earn a salary. Median annual earnings of lawyers were $102,470 in 2006—this means that half earned more than this amount and half earned less.

Some lawyers earned much more.

How many jobs are there?		Back to Top

Lawyers held about 761,000 jobs in 2006. Most lawyers worked for themselves or in law firms-companies with other lawyers. Some lawyers worked for other businesses or for governments.

What about the future?		Back to Top

Employment of lawyers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. This is because more people will need legal help. But many people want to be lawyers, so there will be competition for good jobs. Most jobs will be in big cities.

Are there other jobs like this?		Back to Top

• Arbitrators
• Court reporters
• FBI special agents
• Judges
• Law clerks
• Legislative assistants
• Magistrates
• Paralegals
• Patent agents
• Police officers
• Politicians
• Reporters
• Title examiners

Where can you find more information?		Back to Top

More BLS information about lawyers can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

Last Modified Date: April 29, 2008