Becoming an attorney can be a lucrative career, especially when someone takes into consideration, the median salary for an attorney was $119,250 as of 2017. Even the bottom 25 percent of earners make around $80,000. However, the field isn’t for everyone. Some traits make people less likely to be successful at being an attorney.
Attorneys’ Job Description
The job of an attorney is to advise clients regarding legal situations. They’re also the ones who represent a client in court, including at magistrates’ offices and actual courts. They’re the ones responsible for conducting research and thoroughly analyzing cases to help people with their legal troubles. They may need to draft and file legal documentation. They have to interpret the law and find legal ways to fight a case.
Img source: thebalancecareers.com
Field Attorneys Work in
Not every attorney defends criminals or handles claims in small claims court. Some lawyers are environmental attorneys. They deal with the regulations and issues associated with the environment. Tax attorneys help both individuals and corporations handle tax issues. They’re the ones who deal with people or businesses when they’re audited. Immigration lawyers, on the other hand, can help people come to this country legally, and they assist them if anything should happen that their citizenship is being questioned. Some attorneys deal with intellectual property, real estate, estates, or family law.
Average Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for a lawyer is $57.33 hourly. The bottom 10 percent of earners made $27.61 hourly while the top 90 percent of earners made $85.81 per hour. In terms of an annual wage, these figures are equivalent to $57,430 for the bottom percentage and $178.480 for the top percentage.
Img source: womenmovethesoul.com
Traits You Need to Have
While the pay may sound enticing and you may feel like you’d enjoy the nature of the work, not everyone possesses the traits necessary to become a successful attorney. Having the power to resolve problems is essential. Attorneys must be able to research and process a large quality of information to prove their point. They must be able to sort through the information and determine what’s relevant in terms of a client’s case.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are a must for an attorney because they must be able to determine a solution, sometimes even on a tight deadline. Interpersonal skills are necessary as well. Cases can trigger emotion, and it’s important for a lawyer to separate his or her feelings about the case and only focus on the legal aspect of it. Communication skills are a must for attorneys, both written and verbal. They must be able to communicate well with clients, judges, and other attorneys. They must draft documents including contracts and other written documentation
