Job Description - Attorney:
An attorney, also called a lawyer, represents and advises his or her clients in both criminal and civil cases. An attorney may be a general practitioner or may specialize in one of a variety of areas including criminal, real estate, matrimonial, probate and environmental law. Attorneys are often assisted by paralegals.
Employment Facts - Attorney:
There were 759,000 attorneys employed in 2008.
Educational Requirements - Attorney:
Aspiring attorneys must attend three years of law school after spending four years in college earning a bachelor's degree.
Other Requirements - Attorney:
To practice law, one must be admitted to the bar of the state in which he or she wants to practice. Admission to the state bar requires passing a written examination and in some states, a written ethics examination as well.
Advancement Opportunities - Attorney:
An attorney typically begins his or her career as an associate of a law firm. He or she may, after several years, become a partner in the firm, after spending time working with more experienced attorneys. Some lawyers become judges, while others join law school faculties.
Job Outlook - Attorney:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth for attorneys will be about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2018.
Earnings - Attorney:
Attorneys earned a median annual salary of $113,240 in 2009 (U.S.).
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much an Attorney currently earns in your city.
A Day in a Attorney's Life:
On a typical day an attorney's tasks might include:
- representing a client in court
- presenting evidence on behalf of a client whom he or she is defending in either a criminal or civil case
- presenting evidence to prosecute a defendant in either a criminal or civil case
- interpreting laws, rulings and regulations for clients
- preparing legal documents such as contracts, wills, leases and prenuptial agreements
- negotiating settlements of civil disputes
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Lawyers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm (visited November 29, 2010).
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Lawyers, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/23-1011.00 (visited November 29, 2010).
