types of lawyers and salaries

The following are the primary types of lawyers and their respective salaries:

• General Practice Lawyer - $117,000
• Contract Lawyer - $79,000
• Family Lawyer - $69,000
• Intellectual Property Lawyer - $165,000
• Estate Planning Lawyer - $64,000
• Civil Rights Lawyer - $69,000-$145,000
• Civil Litigation Lawyer - $82,000
• Tax Lawyer - $70,000 to $210,000
• Criminal Lawyer - $78,000

Full Answer

What are the highest paid types of lawyers?

Salary Breakdown for Different Types of Lawyers Corporate Lawyer. A corporate lawyer is a lawyer who works with a business or corporation. The sole purpose of a... Criminal Defense Lawyer. A criminal defense lawyer is in charge of representing defendants in court. Criminal defense... Family Lawyer. ...

Which type of lawyer is highest paid?

50 rows · These attorneys may draw annual salaries between USD 57,647 to USD 174,606 (without bonus and ...

What is the typical beginning salary for a lawyer?

Sep 10, 2021 · In our article, we covered how much lawyers working in different fields earn. Those with the highest salary are medical lawyers, and they earn over $150 000 annually. Some lawyers are better paid than others, but generally, all lawyers have good salaries. For example, business lawyers earn $90,000 per year.

Who are the highest paid lawyers?

Dec 18, 2020 · There’s a wide range of data collected for different types of lawyers and salaries. Keep in mind that the variables noted above will make a difference in each case. Some of the highest-paid lawyers are: Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field.

What types of lawyers are highest paid?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

What is the lowest paying type of lawyer?

Public Defender Public defenders have the tough job of representing criminals who cannot pay for or cannot find their representation for an upcoming hearing or trial. They are notoriously overworked and underpaid, as are many people in the public service sector of the law.Feb 6, 2020

How many years do you have to study to be a lawyer?

7 yearsBecoming a lawyer usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school. Most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).Sep 8, 2021

What job makes the most money?

Highest-Paying CareersRankOccupation2020 Median wagesAnnual1Anesthesiologists$100.00+2General Internal Medicine Physicians$100.00+3Obstetricians and Gynecologists$100.00+7 more rows

What kind of lawyers make the most money?

We looked at 10 different types of lawyers and their salaries . According to our findings, senior corporate lawyers have the best median lawyer sa...

How much money does a lawyer make in 2020?

A general lawyer in 2020 makes $84,771. However, different types of lawyers have different salaries. The average trial lawyer makes $103,712 while...

Is it worth it to go to law school?

Law school is very expensive and takes a lot of time and effort to complete. However, lawyers are compensated very well for their services. The ave...

How much do civil rights lawyers make?

The average starting salary for a civil rights lawyer is approximately $45,000 a year, but very capable and experienced attorneys in this field can make as much as $200,000.

What is the job of a tax lawyer?

Tax Lawyer Salary. Tax attorneys act as the representatives of a company, organization or an individual in dealing with federal, state, and local tax agencies. On a day-to-day basis, most tax lawyers give advice to businesses and individuals with regard to all aspects of tax legislation.

What are the responsibilities of a criminal lawyer?

Some of the main responsibilities of a criminal lawyer are to investigate the case at hand, interview witnesses, study case law and procedural law, construct a defense, and plan a strategy for the case. Negotiating plea deals in less serious cases is also within a criminal lawyer’s field of expertise.

What is real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers assist their clients in a variety of ways regarding commercial and residential real estate. Issues regarding tenants, neighbors, zoning and property development also fall under the umbrella of real estate law.

What does a personal injury lawyer do?

In case of an accident or injury, personal injury lawyers represent their clients to obtain justice and compensation for any losses or suffering. The vast majority of these cases fall under the area of tort law.

What is intellectual property law?

Intellectual property law is a complex field that requires a deep understanding of relevant laws in addition to a creative and analytical way of thinking. Intellectual property lawyers, or copyright lawyers, make sure that new intellectual inventions and innovations created by individuals gain the protection of the law, and are not infringed upon by competitors.

Why is it important to have a criminal lawyer?

It is important for a criminal lawyer to have superior written and oral advocacy skills in order to successfully argue a case in front of a judge and a jury. Creative thinking and analytical skills also play a significant role in the process of developing a strategy and doing the research for complex court cases.

How much does a trial lawyer make?

However, different types of lawyers have different salaries. The average trial lawyer makes $103,712 while the average corporate lawyer makes $111,026. Check out the table and graph above for more information.

How much does a lawyer make in 2021?

Lawyers are compensated very well for all the hard work they put in to become licensed to practice law. The average lawyer salary in 2021 will be $84,771. This is a very good salary, but certain types of lawyers will make more money than this - depending on what they specialize in.

Why do companies need a corporate lawyer?

A corporate lawyer should have business acumen as they may be asked to help make business decisions from time to time. Companies may have one corporate lawyer on staff or may have multiple corporate lawyers on staff – with each one specializing on different aspects of the company.

What is corporate lawyer?

Corporate Lawyer. A corporate lawyer is a lawyer who works with a business or corporation. The sole purpose of a corporate lawyer is to serve the best interests of the business or corporation in which they are working for.

What is a criminal defense lawyer?

A criminal defense lawyer is in charge of representing defendants in court. In the United States, everyone accused of a crime has a right to a lawyer. With that being said, there is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers.

How long does it take to get divorced?

A divorce lawyer must be familiar with laws in their specific state. Depending on how the divorce was filed, fault or no-fault, it can take three to 12 months to finalize the divorce.

What is an immigration lawyer?

An immigration lawyer is a unique type of lawyer. An immigration lawyer works with foreign citizens and immigrants who must interact with United States immigration authorities. An immigration authority will spend significantly less time in court when compared to other types of lawyers.

What does a lawyer do?

Lawyers provide services for a particular fee from the client, and take necessary steps to resolve court matters in their client’s favor. The issues of clients may include anything from divorce, property rights, criminal matters, tax payments, insurance reimbursements, and so on.

What is corporate lawyer?

A corporate lawyer works for companies, assisting them in getting all these formalities done, and saving their millions of dollars in return. This is the reason these lawyers are paid handsomely, if employed in huge corporations, and are considered to be the highest paid among their peers in the United States.

Why is it important to be a lawyer?

The profession of a lawyer is considered to be of crucial importance in the society, especially as it involves dealing with crucial legal matters that arise in different walks of life.

What is a family lawyer?

FAMILY LAWYER. A family or divorce lawyer is hired to carry out legal formalities regarding family matters such as divorce, child adoption, child custody, child support, and the like . The salary range for a family lawyer varies depending upon the level of experience, education, qualification, reputation, and the area of living.

What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property consists of patents, trademarks, copyrights on original work of art, poems, novels, publishing, and entities of similar nature. These lawyers safeguard the owner’s right to the original signs, content, products, or logos.

How do attorneys make money?

Even within specialties, attorneys can make different amounts of money. The income of an attorney depends on numerous different factors, including: 1 Geographic region—Attorneys who practice in major metropolitan areas tend to make more money than those practicing in small towns and rural communities. 2 Size of the law firm—Some lawyers never join a firm and instead go into solo practice. While this allows the most personal freedom, it often results in lower pay. Other attorneys choose to work for big law firms, some of which may employ hundreds of attorneys around the country or the globe. 3 Skill and experience—Like any career, an attorney’s income will depend on their skillset and experience. No matter how talented, a first-year associate will not make a comparable salary to a partner in a large firm. 4 Education—Not all law schools are created equally, and the potential for higher earnings comes with more prestigious schools.

What does a corporate lawyer do?

Corporate lawyers provide clients with counsel on business transactions, acquisitions and mergers, the sale of businesses, and legal advice on running a corporation. Contract preparation and review is one hallmark of a corporate lawyer, ensuring that the contract’s language is favorable to their client.

Why do lawyers choose to practice law?

Many lawyers choose the legal field because of a genuine desire to help others. Other attorneys practice law because they genuinely want to serve justice.

What are the skills required to be a trial attorney?

Trial Attorneys. Trial attorneys must have an excellent grasp of procedural law and have a responsibility to stay abreast of trends and changes in an ever-evolving field. Excellent oral communication skills are a must for success, and the art of persuasive speaking cannot be overstated.

What does an attorney do for tax?

Attorneys that specialize in tax law usually represent organizations when dealing with federal, state, and local taxing agencies. Corporations and large companies pay enormous amounts for attorneys skilled in tax laws to protect their assets and create a tax savings plan.

What is the job of a medical attorney?

Many attorneys in this field specialize in representing hospitals and medical corporations. Others handle medical malpractice claims or personal injuries.

What is IP law?

IP attorneys specialize in patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The high earning potential in this field arises because of the explosive growth of intellectual property. These attorneys practice in a fast-paced field, requiring them to keep up with quickly evolving laws and procedures. They work in large firms or in-house for big tech and big pharma, on the frontlines of protecting intellectual property from infringement.

How much do lawyers make?

It may surprise you to learn that the average salary for lawyers in the United States during 2019 was $122,960 per year. The American Bar Association states that lawyers earn an average of $144,230 per year. The fact is that most attorneys earn a modest living. Their passion for the law and helping people in need are the things ...

How does a lawyer make money?

Numerous factors impact the salary a lawyer might earn. Some of the common factors that affect a lawyer’s salary include: 1 The number of years the attorney has been in practice 2 The law school where the attorney attended 3 The type of law the lawyer chooses to practice 4 Whether the attorney chooses private practice or to work in the public sector 5 The geographical location where the attorney practices 6 Any specialized skills, education, or certifications the attorney holds 7 Whether the attorney chooses to open his own practice or join a large law firm

What is the job of a general counsel?

The general counsel for a corporation handles everything from contracts and employment law to corporate structure, intellectual law, and litigation. In many cases, a general counsel oversees other attorneys and outside counsel.

What does a criminal lawyer do?

Criminal Law. Lawyers practicing criminal law represent individuals under investigation for a crime or who have been arrested for a crime. There is room for a huge difference in salaries depending on the type of criminal cases the attorney handles.

What do bankruptcy attorneys do?

Attorneys who handle bankruptcy matters assist individuals and companies in filing for bankruptcy relief. They may also work with creditors to file claims in bankruptcy cases. Because bankruptcy law is a specialized area of law, bankruptcy attorneys working with large Chapter 11 corporate cases can earn large salaries.

What is the area of law that is in high demand?

Family law is another area of law that is in high demand. It covers all matters related to divorce, including custody, property division, and domestic support. Family law also includes martial agreements and paternity questions.

What is personal injury?

It includes almost any case that involves a person injured because of another party’s negligence, errors, or wrongdoing. It also covers cases in which another person wrongfully kills a person. Personal injury cases can include, but are not limited to:

Corporate Law

Criminal Law

Bankruptcy Law

Family Law

Immigration Law

Civil Rights Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyer

Salaries For Other Types of Lawyers