Fresh Profile: Lawyer Jobs

Published on 2008-07-23

Lawyers are law gurus. Also called attorneys, lawyers work as advisors on legal matters and are licensed by the state to represent parties in court. They help clients understand their legal rights and obligations and propose specific steps of action in business and personal matters. In criminal and civil trials, lawyers represent either the plaintiff or the defendant and support them by presenting evidence and arguing on their behalf.
The responsibilities associated with lawyer jobs vary from one field to another. A lawyer can be a trial attorney or a corporate attorney or specialize in a specific field of interest. Trial attorneys, also called litigation attorneys, work with clients involved in lawsuits, mediation or negotiated settlements. Corporate attorneys deal with the legal aspects of a business transaction. A lawyer can choose to work in a specialized legal occupation such as bankruptcy, probate, family, environmental or patent law jobs. An attorney who specializes in family law, for example, deals primarily with issues such as divorce, adoption, and child custody.
In addition to a specific field of specialization, lawyers can be employed by a wide variety of establishments. Attorney or legal jobs are available at law firms, corporate legal departments, the government, non-profit organizations, and colleges and universities. In the federal government, the majority of attorney jobs are concentrated in the Departments of Defense, Justice and Treasury. Lawyers can also work independently, practicing either as partners in law firms or in their own practice. Jobs are more abundant in large metropolitan areas. New York attorney jobs, for example, can be found at major law firms, banks, insurance companies, real estate agencies, manufacturing firms, and public utilities.
To become a lawyer, a person must complete a minimum of seven years of school. This includes a four-year undergraduate degree and three years of law school. Finally, to be able to practice law in the courts of any state, a person must be licensed. This means passing a bar examination in each state where they choose to practice.
For a recent law graduate, jobs can include working with associates or with more experienced lawyers or judges. Lawyers may eventually get nominated or elected to judgeships, while others become full-time school faculty. Lawyers need to have strong oral and written communication skills and strong analytical skills. Graduates with top academic records from the most prestigious schools will have the best job opportunities.
At Fresho.com, you can search for lawyer jobs by city or by state. Whether you are looking for lawyer jobs in Los Angeles or attorney positions in Chicago, make Fresho.com your first stop.