Legal Practices and Skills

The legal system affects nearly every aspect of our society, in which lawyers (also called attorneys) act as both advocates and advisors. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials; as advisors, lawyers counsel their clients concerning their legal rights and obligations. Lawyers may specialize in a number of different areas and they tend to do most of their work in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms.

Law is a rich and diverse field. Over 70% of American lawyers are in private practice. Roughly 10% work for government agencies; another 10% work for private industries or associations, and only about 1% work for legal aid or as a public defender. To many, law offers many attractions: prestige, power, a professional lifestyle, a nice range of salaries, and the chance, perhaps, to “change the world” and have an impact on an issue, an individual, or even a community.

Lawyers must know how to communicate clearly; analyze complex legal issues; synthesize vast amounts of materials; provide counsel; advocate the views of a group or an individual; and negotiate effectively. Through their training, lawyers develop a proficiency in writing and speaking, reading, researching, analyzing, and thinking logically. Perseverance, creativity, and reasoning ability also are essential to lawyers, who often analyze complex cases and handle new and unique legal problems.

For more details on the legal profession, see the “Lawyers” entry in the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.