1. Lawyers... The Career Path

2. What is a Lawyer? Lawyers are both advocates and advisors.
They help solve--or prevent--legal problems for their clients
represent either the plaintiff (the party filing the lawsuit) or the defendant (the party defending the lawsuit)
Also known as an “attorney,” “counselor,” “solicitor,” “barrister” or “advocate,”
Licensed by a State(s) to engage in the practice of law and advise clients on legal matters.

3. The Skills of Lawyers
Certain basic legal skills are required of all lawyers.
Excellent Literacy Skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
Analyze legal issues in the context of the applicable Law AND the direction in which the Law is headed
Advocate the views of groups and individuals within the context of the legal system
Counsel clients on the law's requirements
Analyze evidence and present arguments to Court as to why a particular outcome is desirable.
Negotiate effectively

4. Where American Lawyers Work…
74% of American lawyers are in private practice,
most in small, one-person offices and some in large firms.
8% % of American lawyers work for local, state and federal government agencies
9% of American lawyers work for private industries and associations as their lawyers
1% of American lawyers work as public defenders
1% of American lawyers work in education
1% of American lawyers work in the Judicial Branch of Federal Government in D.C.
About 5% are retired or inactive

5. Becoming a Lawyer Complete your bachelor’s degree
4 year undergraduate degree
Any Major, but many lawyers major in Pre-Law or Political Science
Graduate from Law School
is a three year program
(four years or more if you attend part-time)
Pass the Bar Exam of your State to become Licensed
a written examination

6. The Law School Admissions test (LSAT)
is a law school entrance exam administered four times a year at hundreds of locations.
This half-day test provides a standard measure of reading and verbal reasoning skills.
Law schools use the LSAT score as one of several factors in assessing law school applicants.

7. Best Law Schools, according to US News and World Report
Yale University
Harvard University
Stanford University
Columbia University
University of Chicago
6. New York University
7. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
8. University of Penn
9. University of California—Berkeley
10. University of Virginia

8. Some Specialty Areas within a Law Degree
Family Law
Consumer Rights
International Law
Dispute Resolution
Legal Writing
Healthcare Law
Environmental Law
Intellectual Property Law: patents, trademarks, copyrights
Tax Law
Civil Rights
Employment
Real Estate
Personal Injury
Business Law
Children’s Advocacy and Rights Law
Bankruptcy
Sports and Entertainment
Ecommerce and Cyberspace Laws
Public Defense
Prosecutors and District Attorneys – work the State or Federal government

9. Salaries
varies greatly depending on a lawyer’s practice setting, geographic location, demand for that specialty
The median annual earnings of all lawyers in 2011 were $114,930
While starting salaries for private practice attorneys in large Cities, such as Philly, Boston and New York range from $135,000 to $160,000,
attorneys in the public sector, such as public defenders and district attorneys, earn much less

10. Job Outlook in 2012
Employment of lawyers is expected to grow 13 percent during the decade
Growth in the population and in the level of business activity is expected to create more:
legal transactions, civil disputes, and criminal cases.
healthcare, intellectual property, bankruptcy, corporate litigation, and environmental law.

11. Who you Gonna Call?? Worksheet
Use the information from this PowerPoint and the following web pages to complete the handout