Career Exploration Guide

SOC: 23-1011

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, and manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Default

Education:		Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

OJT:		Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Tasks:		Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents. Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations. Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial. Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses. Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation. Represent clients in court or before government agencies. Present and summarize cases to judges and juries. Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases. Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts. Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.

License:		This applicant will submit both a law student registration application and a bar application. A 2-1/2 day written bar examination is administered, in February and July of each year. Application deadlines can be found in the Admissions section of the Alabama Bar Association Website indicated below. Supporting Affidavits are required from three (3) attorneys in good standing who have been admitted to practice law in Alabama for a minimum of five (5) years. These affidavits are to reflect the applicant’s character and reputation. Bar Examination Fee: $315.00 Alabama State Residents: $575.00 Out-of-State Residents: $575.00 Annual License Renewal Fee: $300.00 Special Membership Dues: $150.00 Foreign: $825.00 Admitted by Reciprocity: $875.00

Outlook:		Satisfactory

Alabama Employment Outlook

Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage		Annual Wage
Entry	$27.62	Entry	$57,437.00
Mean	$57.78	Mean	$120,188.00
Experience	$72.86	Experience	$151,552.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections

Estimated Employment 2016	Projected Employment 2026	Annual Average Openings	Annual Growth Rate
6,860	7,400	350	.76

Related Occupations:

Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Chief Executives

Clinical Research Coordinators

Curators

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Marketing Managers

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Program Directors

Faulkner University

Samford University

University of Alabama

Occupational Videos

23-1011.00

Lawyers