which areas is the best for a lawyer to work in

by Hershel Zboncak 9 min read

  1. Illinois. Our top state for lawyers based on the six metrics we considered is Illinois. ...
  2. Massachusetts. Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 of all states in our study and D.C. ...
  3. District of Columbia. Home to the federal government, the District of Columbia is a hot spot for lawyers. In 2018, D.C. ...
  4. California. With a number of large cities for lawyers to work in, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and its capital, Sacramento, California ranks fourth on our list.
  5. Florida. Florida ranks third on two of our density measures, the number of lawyers per 1,000 employees and law offices as a percentage of total establishments.
  6. New York. With many top law offices located in New York City, it is unsurprising that New York State ranks sixth on our list.
  7. Georgia. Georgia has had impressive growth in the number of lawyers residing in the state over the past five years.
  8. Colorado. Colorado ranks in the top 10 for half the metrics we considered. They include the number of lawyers per 1,000 workers, average income and earnings growth.
  9. Texas. Texas ranks in the top half of our rankings for each metric we considered, with average income for lawyers as its highest-ranking metric.
  10. Connecticut. Connecticut rounds out our list. It is the only state in our top 10 with negative employment growth over the past five years.

Top 100 cities for lawyers
RankCityAverage salary
1New York, NY$167,560
2San Francisco, CA$171,910
3Washington, DC$161,730
4Miami, FL$149,040
8 more rows
May 19, 2015

Full Answer

What are the best areas of law for aspiring lawyers?

May 13, 2021 · 1. San Francisco, CA. San Francisco tops the chart for the best city for lawyers. Lawyers here earn the second-highest median salary of $168,990, which helps to offset the high cost of living. Even first-year associate attorneys earn an average salary of $70,529, which is $6,000 more than the national average.

What are the different types of jobs for lawyers?

In close proximity to Cambridge's routinely ranked Harvard law school, Boston narrowly beat out Los Angeles for the fifth spot. L.A. actually has almost twice as many jobs as Boston as well as an annual average salary that is $20,000 greater than its East Coast competitor, but Boston gained an edge with a significantly higher location quotient.

What is the best state to be a lawyer?

Connecticut And way down at the bottom of the list is a tie for last between Idaho and Maine (Delaware and North Dakota were excluded from the ranking due …

What is the most lucrative area of law to practice?

Feb 21, 2022 · The average salary in last year’s highest-paying practice area, intellectual property, dropped by almost 7 percent from $240,000 to $224,000. This means that the most lucrative practice areas are now: Medical malpractice (avg. $267,000) Personal injury (avg. $254,000) Workers compensation (avg $226,000) Intellectual property (avg $224,000)

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What area of law is most in demand?

Highest Client Growth Rates by Practice AreaInsurance: +2190% (YoY) ... Criminal Law: +1680% (YoY) ... Civil Rights: +1160% (YoY) ... Personal Injury: +660% (YoY) ... Estate Planning: +330% (YoY) ... Bankruptcy: +280% (YoY) ... Employment Law: +190% (YoY) ... Business Law: +140% (YoY) (Top growth area: Contracts)More items...•Sep 21, 2020

What type of lawyer works the most?

Medical lawyersMedical lawyers are among the highest-paid types of lawyers and earn one of the highest median salaries in the legal field.

Which area of law pays the best?

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

Where do lawyers make the most?

Best-Paying Cities for Lawyers The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the lawyer profession are San Jose, San Francisco, Washington, Los Angeles, and New York.

How can a lawyer make 7 figures?

4 Keys to Achieving a 7-Figure IncomeRun your law firm like a business. You studied the law as a noble profession, but to break the seven-figure barrier, you must run your law firm like a business. ... Focus on a niche. ... Identify your ideal target market. ... Pay attention to your firm's finances.

Are all lawyers rich?

Lawyers and attorneys often earn substantially over the average salary in the country they practice and while for many this will simply lead to a very comfortable upper-middle life, for some who make it to the elite sphere of law, it can lead to vast wealth.

Who earns more lawyer or judge?

The most productive (and highest earning) years of a lawyer's life are usually between the ages of 50 and 70. While the burden on a high court or Supreme Court judge is just as much as that on a lawyer of the same age, they have to make do with a small fraction of the remuneration.Jul 7, 2015

Do lawyers get paid well UK?

Salaries for newly-qualified lawyers across the rest of the UK are in the region of £27,000 to £60,000. As a newly qualified solicitor in Scotland, you can expect to be paid around £30,000 rising to £38,000, depending on your area of private practice or whether you're working in house.

How much does a family lawyer make UK?

Family Lawyer Salary in the UK The average salary for a Family Lawyer is £56,700 gross per year (£3,450 net per month), which is £27,100 (+92%) higher than the UK's national average salary. A Family Lawyer can expect an average starting salary of £27,200. The highest salaries can exceed £140,000.

Where is the best country to be a lawyer?

Top Countries to Study Law inUnited States. The United States is one of the best countries to study law in. ... United Kingdom. Another excellent country to study law is the United Kingdom. ... Australia. Australia makes an excellent destination for a Law degree. ... Singapore. ... Canada.Nov 21, 2020

Who earns more lawyer or engineer?

Both are highly recognized professions yet lawyers earn more than engineers. more often engineers paid more at graduate levels and lawyers paid better at their senior levels. For both of these jobs salaries and job opportunities are above average and neither is a bad choice at all.Jan 2, 2020

Why is IP important?

In the age of the internet, intellectual property (IP) is more important than ever before. From trademarks, to copyrights, to patents, and beyond, lawyers who work in IP help people protect their ideas and projects from duplication or theft.

What is corporate law?

Corporate law also handles business affairs, but it is more concerned with day-to-day, typical practices. Things like contracts, compliance, and liability fall under this umbrella. Lawyers specializing in this practice area can help a business get off the ground with its initial paperwork, or help them navigate difficult situations like bankruptcy.

Why is complex litigation so lucrative?

Complex litigation is one of the more lucrative specializations because they involve high-stakes, corporate lawsuits and a lot of motions filed in court.

What can an attorney do for animal rights?

As an attorney working in animal rights, you can be the voice for our furry friends who can’t speak for themselves. You can work against those who harm or exploit these creatures, and help the organizations who work to give them a better life.

What are the needs of baby boomers?

As Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age and people’s life expectancy goes up, the need to protect some of the more vulnerable elders increases. This can include insurance, wills, estate planning, guardianship, and beyond. 16. Education.

Do civil rights lawyers work for nonprofits?

Also dealing with basic human rights, civil rights attorneys do extremely important work. They sometimes work for nonprofits, but often work in other practice areas while taking these cases pro bono.

Is healthcare law still in flux?

It’s been a hot topic for quite some time, and healthcare laws in the US are still in flux. Therefore, professionals who are up to date on regulations and can navigate the landscape successfully will reap the benefits.

Best States For An Attorney to live and work in 2021

Are you wondering which place in the United States is the best state for attorneys? Knowing how challenging it is to figure out where to start your career or where to move to advance your career, we decided to bring you a list of best states for attorney jobs.

5. Texas

College graduates looking for work typically don't know about a government source called the "Occupational Outlook Handbook." (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm). College majors don't line up exactly with jobs. Instead, most majors qualify you for a variety of positions.

How much did lawyers make in 2014?

The 603,310 lawyers employed in the U.S. in May 2014 earned $133,470 on average, or an hourly wage of $64.17, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their cost of living and location quotient are also highly dependent on where they work.

Why are lawyers so tight knit?

Those few who aren’t are also known. Because the legal community is so tight-knit, lawyers are incentivized to keep up professionalism and decorum – they’re repeat players who will be going against the same players in the future.

What does it mean when a lawyer is not moral?

It does not mean lawyers lack morals, it means that our duty to our client is more important than our personal preferences.”.

What county is West Palm Beach in?

Nicholas W. Romanello of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County: "Practicing law in West Palm Beach is a unique experience. Palm Beach County is the largest County east of the Mississippi River. The size, diversity and complexity of the county makes for a challenging legal environment.

What does "if I'm ever in a courtroom" mean?

The way I explain it is to say, ‘If I'm ever in a courtroom, it means something has gone terribly, terribly wrong. ’”

What does a nurse say to a lawyer after surgery?

A nurse comes in and says, ‘Oh, you’re finally awake.’ He says, ‘Yes, can I get some water and what’s with the curtains?’ The nurse says, ‘Sure. Oh, the building across the street is on fire, and we didn’t want you to think you had died when you woke up.’”

Who is Adam Holguin?

Adam Holguin of Brentz Holgquin Law Firm: “I would say the bar exam test your desire to be a lawyer, not your ability to be a skilled attorney. It demonstrates you are willing to work for something, and see it through, because it can be an arduous process.”

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Making More or Making Less?

When comparing their 2018 earnings to their 2017 pay, close to half of the respondents reported increases .

Who Is Earning the Most?

The highest-earning practice area this year is medical malpractice, which boasts an average salary of $267,000.

The Report

The full Attorney Compensation Report offers a more detailed picture with details such as:

Best Paying Cities

The metropolitan area with the highest average income for lawyers in the United States is California's San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara metro area. Lawyers here earned a mean annual wage of $187,110 in 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most Jobs

The New York metropolitan area is the largest employer of lawyers among U.S. cities and metro areas. There were 50,360 lawyers there as of May 2011,the BLS reports. The Washington D.C. metro area, including Arlington and Alexandria, Va., ranked next with 38,230 lawyers. The Chicago metro area ranked third with 23,680 lawyers.

Job Concentration

You might also want to consider some smaller cities that have a high concentration of jobs for lawyers. While the Washington D.C. and New York city areas have some of the highest concentrations of lawyers -- at 16.55 and 9.95 lawyers per 1,000 jobs, respectively -- you will also find high concentrations in smaller places.

National Numbers

As of 2010 there were 728,200 lawyers in the United States. This number was expected to climb by about 10 percent from 2010 to 2020 -- an expected increase of approximately 73,600 jobs during the decade. The median pay for lawyers nationally was $113,310 a year as of May 2011.

2016 Salary Information for Lawyers

Lawyers earned a median annual salary of $118,160 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, lawyers earned a 25th percentile salary of $77,580, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $176,580, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 792,500 people were employed in the U.S.

What do lawyers do?

This career can lead to working for state attorneys general, public defenders, district attorneys, and the courts. They can also investigate cases on a federal level, such as for the U.S Department of Justice.

How much does a lawyer make in a private practice?

The average annual salary for a lawyer in private practice is $137,000.

What is a think tank lawyer?

Private and nonprofit policy agencies and think tanks hire lawyers to research policy-related topics, write briefs intended to educate policymakers and litigate. Think tank jobs often include nonprofit, public policy organizations that include advocacy initiatives. Typically, these are independent organizations but some have government relations or funding. Lawyers who are savvy and passionate about policy and research will enjoy this type of role, however, the annual average salary is about what a nonprofit can offer.

Do lawyers work for a pharmaceutical company?

Every large business employs lawyers. They might deal with human resources issues, such as hiring policies. Others do work related to be the business itself. For example, a lawyer who works at a pharmaceutical company might be involved in litigation or in determining the legal feasibility of particular actions.

Do lawyers work for employers?

Lawyers work in all types of employment settings and may do some work for every type of employer out there, whether large or small. To simplify, note that lawyers are found in several contexts. Several lawyers have their own private practice while others work in sectors such as the government, social policy agencies, or another type of business.

What is a solicitor?

They are the first point of contact for any individual, organization, or company regarding a legal concern. Those who are solely in the profession as a solicitor would not find themselves trialed with litigation duties. A legal adviser’s job requirement would be limited to providing timely service of suggestions and options as to how to handle legal problems.

Can a lawyer work 9-5?

Those who work in the public sector or as a lawyer or public policymaker under the Government, they can expect a 9-5 job. Lawyers in Public Sector Undertakings are treated to fixed exit timing. The work requirement, though strenuous, would not be as time-consuming as other fields of work in law. Weekends would not be working days in most circumstances. As the Government/public sector is keen on motivating job security, the stress to be faced by lawyers in the field would be less.

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Complex Litigation

Corporate Law

  • Corporate law also handles business affairs, but it is more concernedwith day-to-day, typical practices. Things like contracts, compliance, and liability fall under this umbrella. Lawyers specializing in this practice area can help a business get off the ground with its initial paperwork, or help them navigate difficult situations like bankruptcy.
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Tax Law

  • Tax law is complex and always evolving, so it is an exciting practice area to enter. Tax attorneys can help guide people through audits and other issues with the IRS, as well as with estate planning. This specialization is also very lucrative, with some lawyers making up to $190,00 annually.
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Intellectual Property

  • In the age of the internet, intellectual property(IP) is more important than ever before. From trademarks, to copyrights, to patents, and beyond, lawyers who work in IP help people protect their ideas and projects from duplication or theft.
See more on michaelpage.com

Blockchain

  • Last year brought blockchain and bitcoininto the zeitgeist in a big way. As more people begin to understand these technologies, attorneys with knowledge of the topic will be increasingly valuable. If you can get in on the ground floor of this practice area, your opportunities are bound to grow.
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Healthcare

  • It’s been a hot topic for quite some time, and healthcare laws in the US are still in flux. Therefore, professionals who are up to date on regulations and can navigate the landscape successfully will reap the benefits.
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Environmental

  • Climate change is very much an issue that will increase in importance during our lifetimes. As we continue to figure out how to protect our environment effectively and regulations develop to reflect the necessary adjustments, lawyers in this practice area will be essential.
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Criminal

  • Whether you want to be a defense lawyer or prosecutor, criminal law is full of opportunity. The lawyers in this practice area see a lot of courtroom drama while they protect the basic rights of their clients.
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Civil Rights

  • Also dealing with basic human rights, civil rights attorneys do extremely important work. They sometimes work for nonprofits, but often work in other practice areaswhile taking these cases pro bono.
See more on michaelpage.com

Animal Rights

  • As an attorney working in animal rights, you can be the voice for our furry friends who can’t speak for themselves. You can work against those who harm or exploit these creatures, and help the organizations who work to give them a better life.
See more on michaelpage.com