Career: Private-Practice Lawyers
"Lizzie Borden took an axe / And gave her mother forty whacks. / When she saw what she had done, / She gave her father forty-one." Although this ditty sounds certain, Borden’s defense attorney was good enough to prove reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors in the famous 1893 trial introduced evidence that included powerful details. For example, Borden burned the dress she wore the day of the deed, and prosecutors argued that she did so because it was stained with blood. But the defense team -- using for the most part the prosecution's own witnesses -- shot down every attempt to pin the dastardly deed on Borden. In the end, she walked free.
Private-practice lawyers work in law firms or are self-employed. Transactional lawyers work to avoid legal problems, for example, by writing contracts. Litigators, or trial lawyers, deal with problems, such as broken contracts, once they've occurred.
Did You Know?
- Self-employed lawyers are called solo practitioners. Most begin their careers working in law firms. The contacts and experience they gain there help them strike out on their own.
Are You Ready To...?
- Keep up with changes in the law
- Defend clients in court
- Research the law as well as details having to do with particular cases, clients, and contracts
- Write clearly about complex issues
- Use computers and other technology, such as video conferencing
- Work in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms
- Travel
It Helps to Be...
Able to inspire confidence and respect in others. You'll need good communication, reasoning, and analytical skills, and a willingness to put in long hours. Finally, keep in mind that most of your work will be far less spine-tingling than the trial of Lizzie Borden.
Make High School Count
- Build excellent reading, writing, and speaking skills. You’ll need them in your work, and you won’t get into law school without them.
- Join the debate team and sign up for speech.
- Read the news to keep up with legal issues.
- Volunteer or intern with a law firm. While there, ask if the lawyers can talk with you about their careers.
- Do your best in all your classes. Getting good grades and having a well-rounded academic background will help you get into law school.
- Visit the website of the American Bar Association.
Did You Know?
- Law school graduates have to pass a test, called a bar exam, before practicing law.
Outlook
Government economists expect job growth for lawyers to be as fast as the average for all careers through 2016. However, be prepared for a lot of competition. Each year, many students graduate from law school. Those who graduate from top schools with good grades get the best jobs.
It also helps to specialize in an area such as tax law or intellectual property. If you want to start your own practice in an urban area, you'll have to compete with large law firms.
Compensation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that lawyers earned an average yearly income of $118,280 in 2007. A lawyer's pay depends on her experience and the size and location of her firm.
Top firms offer the highest salaries. Smaller firms often pay lower salaries but tend to offer more responsibility, shorter hours, more-meaningful work, and early client contact.
