Lawyers and legal professionals have always been in high demand in the United States. Recently, due to increased litigation among various sections of society and subsequent requests for legal representation, the trend for opportunities in the legal profession to increase looks set to persist in the coming years.
There is a variety of ways to enter to the legal profession and a number of occupations. For the majority of these you will be required to hold certain qualifications. For those who wish to work as a lawyer you will need to study for at least 6 years in some countries and the first requirement will be a bachelor’s degree.
During a law degree you will look at a variety of topics from the practical skills that will be needed in law school to understanding the relevant legal system in a historical and theoretical perspective. Students will also need to develop their abilities in the areas of reading comprehension, analytical thinking and effective communication. As well as your studies it would be wise to gain some work experience at a reputable law firm. This would most likely be completed during summer schemes or be simply shadowing current employees and volunteering. These opportunities not only provide critical experience in the industry but also provide the chance to develop relationships with companies and firms that may be open to employing you at the end of your studies.
Before completing your bachelor’s in legal studies degree prospective lawyers will need to apply for a place on a legal practice course in order to prepare the student for life as a lawyer. This course will be followed by a form of training contract where you will work as a trainee solicitor and support a partner or similar fee earner by carrying out practical legal work for certain clients. This will most likely be carried out at a private law firm. Once the course is completed you will qualify as a practicing lawyer.
There is quite a large variance in the amount that lawyers get paid. The U.S. Department of Labor states that in 2008 the median annual wage of all wage and salaried lawyers was $110,590 and the middle half earned between $74,980 and $163,320. The amount you will earn can vary on a number of factors including where you intend to practice, the number of clients you represent, and how much you are willing to work. Furthermore, you should pay attention to which area of law you intend to specialize in as certain areas prove to be more lucrative than others. Upon qualification your starting salary could vary considerably. Large firms in large cities pay first year associates around $160,000 a year whilst other areas may pay around $70,000 but could go as low as $35,000.
Lastly, students should pay attention to how they go about their studies and where they complete their qualifications. As the job market is very competitive, students may wish to study a master’s in legal studies and should aim to study at a prestigious university and get a good law degree. It may be worthwhile considering studying via distance learning in order to enable yourself to gain legal work experience whilst qualifying so that you will be able to offer more to prospective employers.
