Job Description:
Work Environment:
Lawyers to most of their work in offices, courtrooms, and law libraries. Sometimes, lawyers meet in a client's home or business, even a hospital or prison. Travel is common if a lawyer needs to attend meetings, gather evidence, and appear before courts or legislative bodies. Lawyers work long hours and may work evenings and weekends to conduct research and prepare for a court trial. Approximately 33% work over 50 hours per week.
Career Outlook:
Each year, a large number of students graduate from law school and thus create competition for jobs, especially in large metropolitan areas. A person who graduates with an excellent academic record from a highly regarded law school will have the best job opportunities. Job opportunities exits if a person is willing to relocate and pass the state bar exam to work in another state. Employers are also seeking graduates with advance law degrees and experience in a specialty , such as tax, patent, or admiralty law.
Growth is projected in the private sector where self-employment is expected to grow slowly. For lawyers who wish to work independently and establish a private practice, they will have the most success opening up a business in a small town. and expanding suburban areas. Typically, in a small town, there is less competition from a larger established law firm, and new lawyers may have an easier time building relationships for potential clients
Income:
Lawyers who work in private practice tend to earn more pay then a person who works in a salaried position. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, national monthly pay ranges include: Entry Level ($4,538), Average ($10,396), and Top Level ($13,867 and up).
Education Requirements
Obtain a Bachelor's Degree: 4 years
What to major in? To become a lawyer, a four-year Bachelor's degree is required proor to attending law school. Students typically major in one of following:
- Economics
- History
- Philosophy
- Plitical Science
- Public Administration
- Social Science
- Sociology
- Speech
Regardless of the major chosen, a multi-disciplinary background is recommended with a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem solving. Recommended college level courses include: English, foreign languages, public speaking, government, philosophy, history, economics, math, and computer science, etc. If a person plans to study a particular area within law, then s/he should have a strong background in the subject. For example, if a person plans to become a tax lawyer, then the person needs extensive knowledge of accounting.
During a student's third year in college (junior year), it is recommended to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). At this time, a person will apply to law school. Each school's application will be different, but most require an application, personal essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts, LSAT scores, and possibly a personal interview.
Admission to law school is extremely competitive, and its is important to have excellent grades, an aptitude for the study of law, and prior work experience or internships.
Attend Law School: 3 years
During the first year of law school, students take specific core course, including constitution law, contracts, property law, torts, civil procedure, and legal writing. For the remaining two years, students choose specialized courses in the field s/he may want to specialize, such as tax, labor, or corporate law. Also during this time, students should gain valuable practical experience to be competitive in the job market after graduation. Practical experience includes participating in school-sponsored legal clinics and court competitions; working in legal-aid offices or legislative committees; and writing articles on legal issues for a school's law journal.
After graduation from law school, a graduate receives the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.). If a lawyer plans to specialize, perform research, or teach, an advanced law degree may be required. Joint degree programs are offered for business administration or public administration.
Education Requirements
Obtain a Bachelor's Degree: 4 years
What to major in? To become a lawyer, a four-year Bachelor's degree is required proor to attending law school. Students typically major in one of following:
- Economics
- History
- Philosophy
- Plitical Science
- Public Administration
- Social Science
- Sociology
- Speech
Regardless of the major chosen, a multi-disciplinary background is recommended with a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem solving. Recommended college level courses include: English, foreign languages, public speaking, government, philosophy, history, economics, math, and computer science, etc. If a person plans to study a particular area within law, then s/he should have a strong background in the subject. For example, if a person plans to become a tax lawyer, then the person needs extensive knowledge of accounting.
During a student's third year in college (junior year), it is recommended to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). At this time, a person will apply to law school. Each school's application will be different, but most require an application, personal essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts, LSAT scores, and possibly a personal interview.
Admission to law school is extremely competitive, and its is important to have excellent grades, an aptitude for the study of law, and prior work experience or internships.
Attend Law School: 3 years
During the first year of law school, students take specific core course, including constitution law, contracts, property law, torts, civil procedure, and legal writing. For the remaining two years, students choose specialized courses in the field s/he may want to specialize, such as tax, labor, or corporate law. Also during this time, students should gain valuable practical experience to be competitive in the job market after graduation. Practical experience includes participating in school-sponsored legal clinics and court competitions; working in legal-aid offices or legislative committees; and writing articles on legal issues for a school's law journal.
After graduation from law school, a graduate receives the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.). If a lawyer plans to specialize, perform research, or teach, an advanced law degree may be required. Joint degree programs are offered for business administration or public administration.
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