Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors in our society. As advocates, they represent one of the opposing parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence that supports their client in court. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients as to their legal rights and obligations, and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as advocates or advisors, all attorneys interpret the law and apply it to specific situations. This requires excellent research and communication skills.
Lawyers perform in-depth research into judicial decisions that have been applied to circumstances similar to those currently faced by the client. Software can be used to automatically search legal literature and lawyers may use computers to organize and index the material. Lawyers then communicate to others the information obtained by research. They advise what actions clients may take and draw up legal documents. They hold positions of great responsibility, and are obligated to adhere to a strict code of ethics.
Some lawyers specialize in trial work. These lawyers need an exceptional ability to think quickly and speak with ease and authority, and must be thoroughly familiar with courtroom rules and strategy. Trial lawyers still spend most of their time outside the courtroom conducting research, interviewing clients and witnesses, and handling other details in preparation for trial.
The majority of lawyers are in private practice where they may concentrate on criminal or civil law. Lawyers sometimes are employed full time by a single client. If the client is a corporation, the lawyer is known as ΓÇ£house counselΓÇ¥ and usually advises the company about legal issues related to its business activities. These issues might involve patents, government regulations, contracts with other companies, property interests, or collective bargaining agreements with unions.
┬╖ Working Conditions
Lawyers and judges do most of their work in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms. Lawyers sometimes meet in clientsΓÇÖ homes or places of business and, when necessary, in hospitals or prisons. They frequently travel to attend meetings; to gather evidence; and to appear before courts, legislative bodies, and other authorities. Lawyers often work long hours, and about half regularly work 50 hours or more per week. They are under particularly heavy pressure, for example, when a case is being tried. Preparation for court includes keeping abreast of the latest laws and judicial decisions.
┬╖ Employment
Lawyers held about 656,000 jobs in 1994. Three-fourths of the 656,000 lawyers practiced privately, either in law firms or in solo practices. Most of the remaining lawyers held positions in government, while others work as lawyers part time while working full time in another occupation.
┬╖ Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
To practice law in the courts of any State or other jurisdiction, a person must be licensed, or admitted to its bar, under rules established by the jurisdictionΓÇÖs highest court. Nearly all require that applicants for admission to the bar pass a written bar examination.To qualify for the bar examination in most States, an applicant must complete at least 3 years of college and graduate from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the proper State authorities. In 1994, the American Bar Association approved 178 law schools. Graduates of schools not approved by the ABA are restricted to taking the bar examination. Seven States accept the study of law in a law office or in combination with study in a law school.
The required college and law school education usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high schoolΓÇö4 years of undergraduate study followed by 3 years in law school. Most require applicants to have a bachelorΓÇÖs degree.
Preparation for a career as a lawyer really begins in college. Although there is no recommended ΓÇ£prelawΓÇ¥ major, the choice of an undergraduate program is important. Essential skills, proficiecy in writing, reading and analyzing, thinking logically, and communicating verballyΓÇöare learned during high school and college. Courses in English, a foreign language, public speaking, government, philosophy, history, economics, mathematics, and computer science, among others, are useful. Whatever the major, students should study a variety of disciplines. Students interested in a particular aspect of law may find related courses helpful. For example, many law schools with patent law tracks require bachelorΓÇÖs degrees, or at least several courses, in engineering and science. Future tax lawyers should have a strong undergraduate background in accounting.
Competition for admission to many law schools is intense. Enrollments rose very rapidly during the 1970s, with applicants far outnumbering available seats. Enrollments are expected to remain at about their present level through the year 2005, and competition for admission to the more prestigious law schools will remain keen. During the first year or year and a half of law school, students generally study fundamental courses such as constitutional law, contracts, property law, torts, civil procedure, and legal writing. In the remaining time, they may elect specialized courses in fields such as tax, labor, or corporation law.
Law students often acquire practical experience by participation in school sponsored legal aid or legal clinic activities, in the schoolΓÇÖs moot court competitions in which students conduct appellate arguments, in practice trials under the supervision of experienced lawyers and judges, and through research and writing on legal issues for the schoolΓÇÖs law journal. The practice of law involves a great deal of responsibility. Individuals planning careers in law should like to work with people and be able to win the respect and confidence of their clients, associates, and the public. Integrity and honesty are vital personal qualities. Perseverance and reasoning ability are essential to analyze complex cases and reach sound conclusions. Lawyers also need creativity when handling new and unique legal problems.
┬╖ Job Outlook
Individuals interested in pursuing careers as lawyers or judges should encounter keen competition through the year 2005. Employment of lawyers is expected to continue to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Demand will also be spurred by growth of legal action in such areas as employee benefits, health care, intellectual property, sexual harassment, the environment, and real estate.
Competition for job openings should continue to be keen because of the large numbers graduating from law school each year. Graduates with superior academic records from well-regarded law schools will continue to enjoy good opportunities.
The willingness to relocate may be an advantage in getting a job, but to be licensed in a new State, a lawyer may have to take an additional State bar examination. In addition, employers increasingly seek graduates who have advanced law degrees and experience in a particular field such as tax, patent, or admiralty law.
ΓÇó Earnings
Annual salaries of beginning lawyers in private industry averaged about $37,000 in 1993, but top graduates in some cases started at over $80,000 a year. Factors affecting the salaries offered to new graduates include: Academic record; type, size, and location of employer; and the specialized educational background desired. The field of law makes a difference, too. Patent lawyers, for example, generally are among the highest paid attorneys. The average salary of the most experienced lawyers in private industry in 1993 was nearly $115,000, but some senior lawyers who were partners in the NationΓÇÖs top law firms earned over $1 million. General attorneys in the Federal Government averaged around $67,900 a year in 1995. Lawyers on salary receive increases as they assume greater responsibility. Lawyers who are partners in law firms generally earn more than those who practice alone.
┬╖ Related Occupations
Legal training is useful in many other occupations. Some of these are paralegal, arbitrator, journalist, patent agent, title examiner, legislative assistant, lobbyist, FBI special agent, political office holder, and corporate executive.
┬╖ Sources of Additional Information
The American Bar Association annually publishes A Review of Legal Education in the United States, which provides detailed information on each of the 178 law schools approved by the ABA, State requirements for admission to legal practice, a directory of State bar examination administrators, and other information on legal education. Single copies are free from the ABA, but there is a fee for multiple copies. Free information on the bar examination, financial aid for law students, and law as a career may also be obtained from:
American Bar Association, 750 North Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611.
Information on the LSAT, the Law School Data Assembly Service, applying to law school, and financial aid for law students may be obtained from: Law School Admission Council, P.O. Box 40, Newtown, PA 18940. Telephone: (215) 968-1001.
The specific requirements for admission to the bar in a particular State or other jurisdiction may also be obtained at the State capital from the clerk of the Supreme Court or the administrator of the State Board of Bar Examiners.
