* * * This is NOT a job offer * * * The purpose of this occupational guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, please go to CalJobs (for jobs in California)     OR      JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide)

More Occupational Guides

Attorneys

THE JOB

ATTORNEYS, also called LAWYERS, advise clients regarding their legal
rights and obligations and act as advocates for them in court or
negotiation proceedings.  An Attorney's most fundamental activity is the
interpretation of case law and its application to specific issues in cases.
This requires case Research of previously applied laws handed down in
judicial decisions called precedence.  Attorneys also have to interpret and
apply statutes to cases or business transactions.

Most Attorneys are engaged in the general practice of law, therefore, they
handle various types of legal issues.  An increasing number specialize in
specific fields of law.  Criminal Attorneys represent clients charged with a
crime.  Civil Attorneys handle cases that are non-criminal where a client is
seeking money for a personal injury, property damage, or a remedy for breach
of contract.  Attorneys in civil practice also handle divorces and draft
legal documents such as contracts, wills, and deeds.  Corporate Attorneys
act as a company's counsel and advise companies about legal questions that
arise from business or security transactions.  Attorneys can also practice
in other fields of law such as bankruptcy, international law, environmental
law, maritime law, patent/intellectual property, and taxation law.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Attorneys work in settings that range from modest offices to comfortably
furnished suites in law firms.  Offices are usually quiet and are equipped
with private areas for interviews and meetings to ensure attorney-client
confidentiality.  Most Attorneys spend the greater part of their time
Researching case law and writing court briefs (official court documents).
Attorneys spend a good deal of time in court, whether it is for an
indictment,  trial, or a motion to be argued in front of the judge.  They
may also spend time interviewing clients at the office, in a client's home
or wherever it may be necessary.

Attorneys Research law in a law library using books or by using a 24-hour
on-line law library service.  Large firms usually maintain an in-house law
library, while sole practitioners, lacking the capital of a firm, may 
visit a public law library.  Many Attorneys and firms subscribe to on-line
law services.  Law students should be aware of traditional Research methods
as well as on-line Research methods.  Attorneys can also purchase CD ROMS
instead of expensive and bulky law books in order to maintain their own
library within their field of specialty.
 
Attorneys often work under pressure and tension to meet important court
filing deadlines and may use evenings and weekends to prepare for a trial.
They must keep up with the latest court decisions and other developments
within their profession, especially within their field of practice. 


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993               56,030
Estimated number of workers in 2005               74,440
Projected Growth 1993 to 2005                        33%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005     10,670

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)

The majority of Attorneys are employed in private firms or as sole
practitioners engaged in offering legal services on a contingency fee basis.
The remainder are employed primarily by the government and may work at the
county, state, or federal level.

Competition remains intense for associate positions with prestigious law
firms.  Graduates of distinguished law schools who rank high in their class
will have the best opportunities for employment with the top law firms.
Students also increase their chance of employment by acquiring legal
Research experience through internships.  However, long hours of Research
at a law firm may not be ideal for many graduates.  Those who want to be
litigators seek employment with government agencies in order to gain trial
experience.  While some graduates may hang a shingle and become a sole
practitioner.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

A number of factors affect the earning levels of Attorneys.  Salaries vary
with size and reputation of law firms and small practices, location of
employment, type of practice, and clientele.  Attorneys can start between
$30,000 and $42,000 annually in the government sector with small towns
paying less than metropolitan cities.  Attorneys with private firms can
start from $35,000 to 85,000 annually. Government Attorneys with experience
can earn from $34,000 to $55,000 with a senior-level range of $43,000 to
$80,000.  Some law firm partners and those in private practice earn between
$100,000 and $400,000 or more annually.  New Attorneys starting their own
practice as sole practitioners may earn little more than expenses during the
first years or may not break even at all.

The normal work week varies with an Attorney's caseload, however, they
frequently work over 40 hours a week including late weeknights and weekends

Fringe benefits for private firms and government agencies include vacation,
sick leave, holidays, retirement and comprehensive health plans.  Benefits
for sole practitioners may be difficult in the beginning, but with proper
financial planning a sole practitioner can enjoy the same benefits as an
Attorney in a firm.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Attorneys should have the ability to deal effectively with all kinds of
people such as clients, other Attorneys, witnesses, judges, and jurors.
They need the integrity to uphold strict rules of professional
responsibility to the client and to the tribunal.  Excellent writing skills
are essential to write clear and concise briefs and strong communication
skills are necessary to represent a client's interests.

A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite to admission into a law school.
However, in California, some law schools will admit applicants who have
completed at least two years of college.  Law schools also require that
applicants take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) one to two years prior
to applying to law schools.  There are LSAT prep courses that are offered by
private companies and are highly recommended.  A high score is preferred
coupled with a high college grade point average.  However, law schools also
look for a well-rounded applicant.  An undergraduate degree in philosophy,
English, accounting, political science, history, or psychology may provide a
student with a foundation for the study of law.

A Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is conferred upon graduation
from law school.  Some graduates continue their education by earning a
Masters of Law in areas of specialty such as taxation or international
business.

Admission to the California State Bar is required in order to be licensed to
practice law in California.  To qualify for admission, applicants must pass
the three day California Bar Examination and a one day Multi-state
Professional Responsibility Examination.  Applicants must be of good moral
character and be at least 18 years old.  In addition, applicants should have
completed at least two years of preparatory college work, or its equivalent
and have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar
Association or the California State Bar Examiners.  California also permits
alternate courses of study for entrance to the Bar examination:  study in
law offices under the personal supervision of members of the State Bar of
California who are engaged in active practice of law; study under the direct
supervision of a judge; correspondence law school study; or study at an
unaccredited law school.  These applicants must take and pass a First Year
Law Student's Examination nicknamed the "baby bar" before receiving credit
for the first year of law study and advancing to the second year.


ADVANCEMENT

The legal profession allows for much advancement.  Attorneys who enter
practice in private law firms as junior associates may be promoted to senior
associate, junior partner, and eventually to a senior partner within six to
seven years depending upon the size of the firm.  Larger firms may take a few
years longer.  In government service, promotional opportunities lead to
greater responsibilities such as prosecuting murders instead of burglaries
or Attorneys may be promoted to supervisory positions.  Many trial Attorneys
are appointed or elected as judges in courts of varying levels.  Some
Attorneys also elect to teach a law course or become professors.


FINDING THE JOB

Many law students obtain directories of law firms and government agencies
and apply directly by sending resumes.  Some students are hired after
taking the Bar exam but their tenure is dependent upon passing.  While other
students wait to apply until results are released.  Pre-professional
experience as a legal intern or law clerk is strongly recommended because
the position may lead to a permanent job or provide a law student with
valuable experience.  Some firms place ads with widely read legal journals
and magazines.  Some jobs are obtained through referrals from networking.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Committee of Bar Examiners
555 Franklin Street
San Francisco,  CA  94102
(415) 561-8300
www.calbar.org/

Law Services
661 Penn Street 
Newtown,  PA  18940
(215) 968-1001
www.lsac.org/

American Bar Association (ABA)
750 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 988-5000
www.abanet.org/


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES


Paralegal Personnel        No. 464


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupation al Titles, 4th Ed., 1991 )
Lawyer               110.107-010
Lawyer, Criminal     110.107-014
Lawyer, Corporation  110.117-022
Lawyer, Patent       110.117-026

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics )System
Lawyers   281080


Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
        Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
        (916) 262-2162.