Lawyers are trained in law and are licensed to provide legal advice and representation. They play an important role in society by upholding the law and advocating for their clients.
When deciding on a career as a lawyer, it is important to consider your own interests, strengths and long-term goals. Doing extensive research on various practice areas will also help you make a wise decision.
Education Requirements
Those interested in becoming lawyers must complete undergraduate courses, take a law school entrance exam and graduate from an ABA-accredited law school. Afterwards, they must pass the bar examination to become licensed in their chosen practice area. The bar exam varies by state and jurisdiction, but most jurisdictions use the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE).
In addition to law school, aspiring attorneys should take upper-level humanities classes that teach reading, writing and analytical reasoning skills. Courses in philosophy or science, technology, engineering and math – STEM fields – are also beneficial for developing logical thinking skills. Taking part in a speech and debate team or mock trial program is another way that students can prepare for a career as a lawyer.
Indian candidates can pursue a 5-year integrated law degree or an LLB from an esteemed university, after passing the national and university-level law entrance exams like CLAT, DU LLB and LSAT. These degrees are recognized by all major law schools in the country.
Job Duties
Attorneys often have a heavy workload and are required to research, write, review, negotiate and draft documents. They are also responsible for identifying and managing legal risk for their clients. They also need to have excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills as they work closely with clients and opposing counsel.
Some types of attorneys specialize in certain areas, such as personal injury or intellectual property law. Others focus on specific cases, such as family, divorce or custody issues. Attorneys should be comfortable juggling many projects and have nerves of steel in case they need to argue a case in front of a judge or jury.
If you’re thinking about becoming an attorney, it’s important to gain exposure through internships, externships or volunteer work in different practice areas. This will help you determine whether a particular specialization is right for you. It’s also essential to learn about the daily responsibilities and duties of each type of lawyer.
Work Environment
Whether they work in private law firms or at the federal, local, or state level, lawyers typically spend long hours researching legal issues, analyzing case histories, and consulting with clients. Salaried lawyers work according to a set schedule, but private and solo practitioners may have irregular working hours.
Hostile work environments can occur when coworkers engage in inappropriate behavior that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to do one’s job. This behavior violates both federal and New York City employment laws. For example, a coworker might repeatedly ask out another worker on dates or make unwarranted comments about her appearance. Hostile workplace behavior only violates protections if it targets a protected class such as race, gender, religion or age.
Even if your employer was not directly involved in the hostile workplace, you can still file a claim against them for failing to take action after you reported it. Our experienced attorneys can help you determine if the offensive conduct qualifies as hostile and pursue the appropriate legal remedies.
Salary
Many factors can affect a lawyer’s salary. Some of these include where they work, what type of law firm they work for and their specialization. Some lawyers work as sole practitioners while others work for corporate firms, government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Those who practice in specialized fields such as tax, family or immigration law tend to make more money than those who work in general practice.
Unpredictable schedules and demanding billable quotas have been major complaints for many attorneys, leading firms to start offering a variety of flexible work options, including telecommuting, alternative work schedules and tiered pay scales. Additionally, the legal industry is booming, which has led to more job opportunities for new attorneys.
The average first-year associate salary at a large law firm is $190,000. Law graduates who go into public service or take on clerkships tend to make less. The salary of a lawyer also depends on the cost of living in their area and the type of law firm they work for.Rechtsanwalt
