Lawyers
Did You Know:
- About 26 percent of lawyers are self-employed, either as partners in law firms or in solo practices.
- Formal requirements to become a lawyer usually include a 4-year college degree, 3 years of law school and passing a written bar examination; however, some requirements may vary by state.
- Competition for admission to most law schools is intense.
- Competition for job openings should be keen because of the large number of students graduating from law school each year.
Industry Areas
- Legal Services
- Local Government (OES Designation)
- State Government (OES Designation)
Day-to-Day Tasks
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
Overall Kind of Work
The legal system affects nearly every aspect of our society, from buying a home to crossing the street. Lawyers form the backbone of this system, linking it to society in numerous ways. They hold ...
Work Environment
Civilian
Lawyers do most of their work in offices, law libraries and courtrooms. They sometimes meet in clients’ homes or places of business and, when necessary, in hospitals or prisons. They may travel to...
Military
Lawyers and judges work in legal offices and courtrooms on land and aboard ships.
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 4.41% (0-20 Hours)
- 4.10% (21-34 Hours)
- 1.83% (35-39 Hours)
- 37.57% (40 Hours)
- 8.89% (41-49 Hours)
- 43.19% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Lawyers, judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers(23-1011)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People:
Things: 
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills: 
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 42.85% (Private For-Profit)
- 2.69% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 16.89% (State and Local Govt)
- 5.82% (Federal Government)
- 31.75% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Lawyers, And Judges, Magistrates, And Other Judicial Workers
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
3,665 Lawyers in the military