Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Legal Jobs, Occupations and Careers

Legal Jobs

Legal companies provide legal services

Legal occupations include lawyers, prosecutors, attorneys, general counsel positions, barristers and solicitors, judges, arbitrators, mediators, law professors, patent and trade mark agents, law office administrators, articling clerks, paralegals, legal secretaries, court reporters, police officers, correctional officers, law enforcement personnel and security personnel.

The legal system affects nearly every aspect of our society, from buying a home to crossing the street. Lawyers form the backbone of this vital system, linking it to society in myriad ways. For that reason, they hold positions of great responsibility and are obligated to adhere to a strict code of ethics.

Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors in our society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients concerning their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their client.

The more detailed aspects of a lawyer’s job depend upon his or her field of specialization and position. Although all lawyers are licensed to represent parties in court, some appear in court more frequently than others.

Trial lawyers, who specialize in trial work, must be able to think quickly and speak with ease and authority. In addition, familiarity with courtroom rules and strategy is particularly important in trial work. Still, trial lawyers spend the majority of their time outside the courtroom, conducting research, interviewing clients and witnesses, and handling other details in preparation for trial.

Lawyers may specialize in a number of different areas, such as bankruptcy, probate, international, or elder law.

Those specializing in environmental law, for example, may represent public-interest groups, waste disposal companies or construction firms. These lawyers help clients prepare and file for licenses and applications for approval before certain activities may occur. In addition, they represent clients’ interests in administrative adjudications.

Law Related Industries

• Consulting
• Real Estate

Make jobs more family friendly The National Law Journal Journalists, law students and lawyers have asked hard questions recently about whether legal education should be reformed in light of the realities of today's economy. After all, the degree is expensive, and legal jobs are less plentiful. ... and more »

Legal Jobs: Part-Timers Declined in 2011 Wall Street Journal (blog) By Joe Palazzolo The number of part-time lawyers dipped last year for the first time since National Association for Law Placement started compiling figures on the issue in 1994. In 2011, just 6.2% of lawyers were working part-time, compared with 6.4% ... and more »

Above the Law

Little Sympathy Given By ABA To Jobless Lawyers JDJournal.com During the Great Recession of 2007, United States legal jobs shrank dramatically. The huge drop in the market has led many critics – among them being two United States Senators – to ask whether to ABA works hard enough to watch law schools. ... Law School Transparency: Who's Naughty and Who's Nice?Above the Law all 27 news articles »

ABA head has little sympathy for jobless lawyers Reuters The number of US legal jobs shrank during the recession that began in late 2007, tracking the overall job market. Many lawyers have the added burden of six-figure tuition debt. Critics including two senators have asked whether the bar association does ... and more »