what is the current employment statistics for a family lawyer

by Shannon Kozey 5 min read

Family lawyers make a range of salaries based on a set of ever-changing variables. The top ten percent tend to make more than $208,000 per year and the bottom 10 percent make under $58,000. The opportunities in this field are growing and demand is high especially for those in specialty areas.

Full Answer

How competitive is the job market for family lawyers?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that employment for all types of attorneys, including family lawyers, will increase by 10% from 2012-2022, about as fast as average for all occupations. The BLS noted that the job market is highly competitive because of the large number of students graduating from law school each year.

What is the average salary of a family lawyer?

An average salary figure for family lawyers isn't readily available. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2020 that the average salary for all lawyers was $148,910. Pay for lawyers can vary according to location and the type of employer.

What do the statistics about lawyers say about the profession?

The American Bar Association’s 10-year look at lawyer demographic trends shows some movement towards equality (in 2010, only 31% of lawyers were female and 89% of attorneys were white), but the statistics about lawyers show that the profession still has work to do. What does this lawyer statistic mean for your law firm?

How does the economy affect the demand for family lawyers?

The general economy has much to do with the demand for family lawyers, since people are more likely to defer discretionary legal matters during a recession. However, some proceedings, such as divorce, may increase during financial hardships.

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What is the job outlook for a lawyer?

4% (2019)6% (2014)Lawyer/Projected 10-year growth

What are the statistics of being a lawyer?

There are 1.3 million lawyers in the US According to the American Bar Association's 2020 ABA Profile of the Legal Profession, there are currently about 1.3 million lawyers in the US. Specifically, for every 1,000 residents in the US, there are only four lawyers.

How many people are employed as a lawyer in the US?

The total number of lawyers in the United States has seen little increase in the last few years; in 2020, there were 1.33 million lawyers in the U.S. – virtually unchanged from the previous year, and not much above the 2015 figure of 1.3 million.

Is the demand for lawyers increasing or decreasing?

Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 46,000 openings for lawyers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

What are two statistics about lawyers?

Only 14.4% of all US lawyers are certified members of ABA. Some high-profile attorneys can earn as much as $2,400 hourly ($5 million annually). There are more than 1.35 million lawyers in the US. There are only 300,000 lawyers, or 1 lawyer for every 4,620 inhabitants, in China.

What percentage of lawyers are successful?

36%According to the American Bar Association, about 36% of all attorneys say they are very successful, and about half indicate they are successful.

How many family lawyers are there in the United States?

Family Law & Divorce Lawyers & Attorneys in the US - Market Size 2003–2026YearValueFeb 1, 201711,663.8Feb 1, 201811,393Feb 1, 201911,288.7Feb 1, 202011,45312 more rows

Who is the youngest lawyer?

Stephen Baccus akaStephen Baccus aka the “boy genius” started studying law when he was only 14 years old. He finished his law degree within two and a half years which made him a graduate of Bachelor of Laws at the age of 16.

How many lawyers are in the US in 2021?

1.3 million lawyersThere are 1.3 million lawyers in the United States.

Which lawyers are in demand?

Among the types of lawyers, Corporate Law experts are in great demand due to their specialization in contract law, securities law, bankruptcy, tax law, accounting, intellectual property rights, licensing, zoning laws, etc.

Where are lawyers most in demand?

New York State has the highest concentration of lawyers compared to any other state, resulting in higher demand for the profession — nearly double the average national demand.

How many lawyers in the US are unemployed?

Employment statistics and salary information According to the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), only 63% of law graduates from the class of 2015 obtained full time, bar passage required employment. Almost 11% of 2015 graduates were unemployed despite a U.S. unemployment rate of 5%.

What is the job of a family lawyer?

While many lawyers will practice under the umbrella of family law, many will go further to specialize in a certain field. They can work in the field of divorce, children’s law, domestic abuse, or other specialized areas. Each one can have a slightly different salary range due to their specialized skills.

How long does it take to become a family lawyer?

Becoming a family lawyer is neither simple nor a quick process. The education alone takes 6-8 years including a bachelor’s degree. Education, exams, state licensing all play a role in being called to the bar, and then finding employment is something else to tackle. Most family lawyers work with an established small or large firm with ...

Why is it important to have a divorce lawyer?

Having a divorce lawyer who specializes in navigating the legalities of relationship breakdowns is important to help a client get a fair and just outcome. Dealing with pre-nuptial agreements, division of assets, and any support payments (alimony) for a partner all need to be assessed and agreed to.

How much does a divorce lawyer make?

Skill with negotiating visitation, custody, and support payments are critical. The average salary for a Divorce lawyer in the US ranges between $72,000 and $96,000 depending on educational background, certifications, experience, and skill set. It will also depend on whether the lawyer is with a big or small firm or self-employed.

What is a child support lawyer?

If the lawyer is a child advocate lawyer, then they are specifically working to protect the child’s legal rights.

How much do child advocates make?

This salary can go up depending on their specialized training and years of experience. Child Advocate Lawyers are paid around $118, 000 if they are with the government, but can be more or less depending on if they are with a firm and also by what state they are practicing in.

What is a domestic abuse lawyer?

Domestic abuse is not surprisingly against the law in every state within the United States. A lawyer that specializes in the area of domestic abuse helps clients get restraining orders or a peace bond so they have documentation that can reduce the chance of their abusive partner getting to them.

What does a Family Lawyer do?

Manages high level/high asset cases by maintaining contact with people involved in the case.

Estimate Salary for Family Lawyer online for free

Salary.com Estimate Salary Tool provides free, accurate and real-time salary for thousands of careers. Please enter the following pay factors for Family Lawyer, to get a real-time salary target. If you want to get more detailed salary information, please view Professional Salary Report

Family Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of living is tied to salaries. If the expenses are higher in a particular city, then the wage level will be higher as well to afford the people can opportunity to live there. This is why you're always going to make more money in New York City for example, than in a small town. ( 2022-01-27 salary.com )

Family Lawyer Earnings

An average salary figure for family lawyers isn't readily available. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2020 that the average salary for all lawyers was $148,910. Pay for lawyers can vary according to location and the type of employer.

Job Duties

Many people think of family lawyers as divorce attorneys; in reality, this is only part of a larger picture. As a family lawyer, you may also handle arrangements for pre- and postnuptial agreements, child support and custody disputes. Your work may include some crossover with other areas of law, such as criminal and civil law.

Education and Other Requirements

In order to be a lawyer, you must complete a bachelor's degree program and then a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Some schools allow you to concentrate in family law.

Most common benefits

The average salary for a family lawyer is $117,364 per year in the United States. 99 salaries reported, updated at February 18, 2022.

How much should you be earning?

Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options. See more details

Where do family lawyers work?

Family lawyers generally work at small law firms or boutiques that specialize in family law. A few large firms have family law divisions; these generally deal with the financial aspects of the proceedings. A few family lawyers work in legal aid or government settings. The job can require irregular and, often, long hours.

What does a family law attorney do?

Family law attorneys help clients with divorces, guardianships, prenuptial agreements, adoptions, parental rights and custody. They may also advise clients on the financial and tax implications for these proceedings.

What do employers want in an attorney?

Experience and licensing are the main requirements for getting a job as an attorney. Employers want someone who can begin to work on cases immediately , according to job postings.

What do you study in law school?

In law school, you'll study constitutional law, contracts, legal writing and civil procedure. Individuals looking to go into family law should choose courses that teach about the law and relationships, especially marriage and parental rights.

What is family law?

Family lawyers assist clients with legal issues involving relationships. While this can be a good career option, it's important to weigh all the factors so you can make an informed decision.

How many years of school do I need to become a family lawyer?

You'll need an undergraduate degree to start a career in law, followed by three years of law school. There is no specific major for aspiring family lawyers, so it's best to take a multi-disciplinary approach and hone your verbal and written communications skills as well as your research and logical thinking abilities.

Is it competitive to get into law school?

Getting into law school is extremely competitive . Your score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), your undergraduate GPA and your personal interviews with admissions representatives will all be taken into account. In law school, you'll study constitutional law, contracts, legal writing and civil procedure.

How many lawyers are there in the US?

Specifically, for every 1,000 residents in the US, there are only four lawyers. Knowing the status and size of your industry helps you understand your playing field in the legal marketplace.

What is the highest hourly rate for a lawyer?

When it comes to hourly rates by state for lawyers, the 2020 Legal Trends Report shows that lawyers in DC charge the highest hourly rate, followed by $338 per hour by lawyers in California.

What is the collection rate for lawyers in 2020?

The 2020 Legal Trends Report also notes a collection rate (that is, the percentage of hours collected divided by the number of hours invoiced) of 88%—which means that lawyers are not paid for 12% of hours that they’ve worked and billed to clients. Finding a way to increase this rate could mean more potential revenue coming in for the hours already worked.

How many people would prefer to pay their legal fees?

15. 72% of consumers would prefer to pay their legal fees via payment plans. Another key statistic about lawyers from the 2020 Legal Trends Report is that today’s consumers want convenience and options when it comes to paying their legal fees.

How does tracking performance impact a lawyer?

Tracking performance and productivity impacts your success as a lawyer, so lawyer facts and statistics that highlight how attorneys spend their time are invaluable performance indicators. The 2020 Legal Trends Report, for example, reports a utilization rate (i.e. the number of billable hours worked divided by the number of hours in a day) of 31%—which means that 69% of a lawyer’s work day is spent on non-billable activities.

How many lawyers were white in 2010?

The American Bar Association’s 10-year look at lawyer demographic trends shows some movement towards equality (in 2010, only 31% of lawyers were female and 89% of attorneys were white), but the statistics about lawyers show that the profession still has work to do.

How many people use the internet in 2020?

As the 2020 Legal Trends Report notes, 90% of adults in the US use the internet and 81% own a smartphone. With this in mind, adopting technology like a legal client app could provide opportunities to better reach and better serve increasingly tech-savvy consumers.

Lawyer Statistics and Facts in the US

Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for Lawyers in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

Lawyer Statistics By Gender

Among Lawyers, 48.5% of them are women compared to 44.7% which are men.

Lawyer Statistics By Race

The most common ethnicity among Lawyers is White, which makes up 80.0% of all Lawyers. Comparatively, there are 6.9% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 5.5% of the Black or African American ethnicity.

Average Age of a Lawyer

We determined the average age of Lawyers based on ethnicity and gender.

Types of Lawyer Degree Levels

The most common degree for lawyers is bachelor's degree 51% of lawyers earn that degree. A close second is doctoral degree with 26% and rounding it off is master's degree with 15%.

Lawyer Employment Statistics

This section highlights the information we gathered about the types of businesses and industries that employ Lawyers. We found that the most common company type is Private. In addition, the industry that employs the most Lawyers is the Professional industry.

Lawyer Turnover And Employment Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of Lawyers changed.

How many lawyers are there in the US?

The job market for lawyers in the United States. There are currently an estimated 792,500 lawyers in the United States. The lawyer job market is expected to grow by 8.2% between 2016 and 2026.

What are the roles of lawyers?

These roles include managerial, business, and administrative positions with banks; insurance and real estate companies; and government agencies.

What are the areas of legal services?

The growth in population and general business activity is creating more legal transactions and generating increased need for legal services in a wide range of areas including health care, environmental issues, intellectual property, mediation, and antitrust.

What can I do to improve my law school career?

Some graduates may jumpstart their careers by joining legal staffing firms which place lawyers in short-term jobs. Willingness to relocate and take another state’s bar exam, as well as experience in specialty areas such as tax, patent, immigration, or copyright will improve law school graduates’ employment prospects.

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