Lawyers work around the clock to speak out, innovate and set new precedents. When choosing a career, many people choose to study and practice in this field because they can influence others. Although the title itself may sound like a commentary, there are many different roles within the profession – contract attorneys, environmental attorneys, family attorneys to name a few.
Whether you’re an aspiring law student, fresh out of law school, or about to land your first big legal job, check out our tips and tricks to help you through the process.
What is a lawyer?
Lawyers are licensed professionals who study and practice law. A lawyer usually has an area of concentration and a group of people or interests they represent.
General legal missions:
Advising and representing clients and their interests
Search and review documents for submission
Interpret the laws and regulations that apply to them
Is there a demand for lawyer positions?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of lawyer jobs will increase by about 6% from 2018 to 2028.
How much do lawyers earn?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for lawyers was $59.11 in May 2019, but it could be higher depending on where you live. This represents approximately $122,960 per year.
Where can I work as a lawyer?
The list of employers working on Handshake includes many companies that employ lawyers:
International Rescue Committee
Internal Revenue Service
United States Department of Labor
Financial Sector Regulatory Authority
Other places you can apply for “lawyer jobs near you” in your city:
Local law firms
Private interest groups, usually non-profit organizations
Offices with judges
Federal, state or local government
What should I write in my CV?
There are many places you can search for lawyers to find keywords on resumes, but what makes you the right candidate is listing the right skills you can offer.
List your previous experiences
Even if you’ve never worked in a legal position before, you certainly have the skills to offer from your previous experience. Think about all the internships, classes you’ve taken, and mentors you’ve learned from – there are always lessons you can learn in your life.
Consider mentioning some of these soft skills that can make you a better candidate:
Extraordinary attention to detail
Leadership and team cohesion
Project management
Strong communication and public speaking skills
Technical skills
If this isn’t your first job in the legal field, you may be able to add technical skills from previous jobs to your resume. It’s always a good idea to mention that you have strong communication skills, know how to handle customers, or have experience in an office or meeting room setting.
What Should I Write in the Law Firm Cover Letter?
It’s important that your cover letter stands out and shows what you can offer as an employee. It is recommended to list not only the skills and experiences acquired, but also the willingness to learn and grow in the role.
Items to include in the cover letter:
Who are you and what position are you applying for?
Passion for the company/organization you are applying to
Cases they’ve worked on that you’ve researched
Why and how you could help them achieve their mission
What is it like to be a lawyer?
Lawyers spend a lot of time thinking critically and strategizing about the best solution for their cases. Lawyers talk a lot with their clients, partners, and others, in addition to their careers which place a heavy emphasis on effective communication and research.
What can I do with a law degree?
Some careers for law students:
family lawyer
contract lawyer
environmental lawyer
Lawyer specializing in immigration law
real estate lawyer
intellectual property lawyer
tax lawyers
Labor lawyers
Constitutional lawyers
Defence/criminal prosecution
These are law enforcement tasks. Criminal defense attorneys spend their days accusing people of crimes. Criminal defense attorneys work both in private practice and for the government, such as the Office of the Federal Public Defender. On the other side, the prosecutor is the lawyer who pleads on behalf of the government.
Immigration
Immigration law is one of the fastest growing laws. It is a complex but rewarding area of law. Immigration attorneys help their clients navigate the many rules and hurdles of the immigration process. Since many people who need an immigration lawyer cannot afford one, some lawyers handle immigration cases pro bono in addition to their usual practice.
Divorce and family law
While many divorces don’t require the help of a lawyer, more complicated divorces usually do require the help of a lawyer. Family law attorneys may specialize in divorce or other areas of family law, such as child custody disputes and child support negotiations.
Bankruptcy
There is no shortage of bankruptcy lawyers! They help everyone from small fortunes to large corporations.
Civil litigation
Civil litigation involves many different areas of law. Technically, everything we’ve mentioned so far, with the exception of criminal defense, is some kind of civil litigation. However, the bread and butter of a civil litigation law firm is breach of contract, when one or both contracting parties decide not to abide by the terms of the contract or walk out altogether. It can be very fun and very boring.
building
Real estate lawyers manage the transfer of real estate from seller to buyer. They take care of everything from evictions to managing mortgages and sales contracts. Real estate lawyers can also appear in court to represent the buyer or seller who must settle the dispute in court.
personal injury
Personal injury lawyers handle cases such as motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability and personal injury. It’s one of the few areas of law that operates on a contingency fee basis, which means that if you don’t win your case, you won’t get paid. This is a high risk, high reward area of law.
Trade disputes
This is the realm of civil litigation, but it happens often enough to warrant description. Business disputes usually arise when expectations are not met between business partners.
