Lawyers Description OES Code: 281080 Conduct criminal and civil lawsuits, draw up legal documents, advise clients as to legal rights, and practice other phases of law. May represent client in court or before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government. May specialize in a single area of law, such as patent law, corporate law, or criminal law. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $19.05 $13.61 – $25.57 New, experienced: $19.53 $14.91 – $27.70 3 yrs+ experience: $22.35 $16.63 – $29.83 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. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits 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. Employment Trends Employment 1996 53,410 Projected Employment 2006 58,480 Growth Rate 1996-2006 9.5% Openings due to Separations 8,140 Employment Trends by California County 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. 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 on 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. Getting the Job & Other Information 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. 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. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite to admission into a law school. However, in California, some law schools will admit applicants that 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 by 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 personal supervision of members 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. Skills & Other Requirements Lawyers, also called Atatorneys, 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. 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. 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. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Attorneys #322 Related Occupation: Paralegal Personnel #464 Training: California State Training Inventory     © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.