Attorney

Attorneys, or lawyers work in private practice.  They can work in law forms or be solo practitioners.  Attorneys practice in many areas.  This areas include criminal appellate, real estate, family, elder, tort, bankruptcy, health care, and much more.  Lawyers jobs are to advise clients with legal transactions, to conduct alternative dispute resolution sessions, to represent clients before administrative bodies of government agencies, and to research what laws apply to their clients’ cases.  

Salaries of Attorneys vary a lot depending on their experience, job duties, employer, and geographical location.  The attorneys that work in large law firms in urban areas usually earn the highest wages.  For most attorneys, their annual salary ranges between $49,180 and $145,600 according to the Occupation Employment Statistics survey in May 2005.  And according to the 2005 Associate Salary Survey by NALP, the average salaries for attorneys ranges between $67,500 and $125,000.  The more experienced lawyers that have worked more than eight years salaries ranged from $109,000 to $181,500. 

After time, attorneys look to find a higher paying or more prestigious job.  Some attorneys try to pursue completely different careers. For example, law professors, law librarians, judges, FBI special agents, politicians, and corporate executives.  

There is a lot of education and training to become an Attorney.  You must earn a juris doctor degree.  Also, in most states you have to graduate from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association.  A special requirement to practice law in a state is that the lawyer must get admission to the state’s bar association.  Also, to practice in a federal court, Attorneys must be registered with that court.

Some skills and personality traits that are key to being a good Attorney are being able to work well with colleagues, clients, and judges.  Experience is also good.  Law firms look for students freshly out of law school that have completed law clerkships in law firms, court systems, government agencies, or corporate legal departments.

Echaore-McDavid, Susan. "Attorney (Private Practice)." Ferguson's Career Guidance Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.aspItemID=WE34&SID=5&iPin=COLLI0001&SingleRecord=True>.