Law Career Info
Lawyers are trained and licensed to practice law, which means they represent clients' interests and advise them on legal matters. Although some lawyers work in private practice and specialize in bankruptcy, criminal or civil law, attorneys also work in many other sectors including: business, health care, insurance and the government. A wide variety of legal careers exist, including:
- Criminal justice law—defends, protects and upholds the law in criminal courts
- Contract law-- analyzes legal issues involving contracts and agreements
- Mediation -- negotiates resolutions or agreements between parties in conflict
Education & Training in Law
To become a practicing lawyer, the minimum requirements include a bachelor's degree, law school and passing the state bar exam. Other professions, such as legal assistant or law clerk, require an associate or bachelor's degree only, so earning that degree in a relevant field would come in handy. Gaining early job experience as a legal assistant, paralegal or court administrator could prove beneficial to this career path.
Lawyer Salaries
In May 2008, the median annual wages of all wage-and-salaried lawyers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics were $110,500. Mean salaries for law clerks were $40,580 and $41,760, respectively.
Related Law Careers
If becoming a lawyer doesn't feel like an exact match, other options exist. Check out related legal careers that could spark your interest, including: law clerk, paralegal, court reporter, title examiner, tax attorney, mediator, private detective, judge and hearing officer.
