National
| Median wages (2008) |
$53.17 hourly, $110,590 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
761,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
228,000 additional employees |
23-1011.00 - Lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, and manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Sample of reported job titles:
Attorney, Associate Attorney, Lawyer, Associate, Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, City Attorney, County Attorney, Partner, Assistant Counsel
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.
- Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
- Prepare legal briefs and opinions, and file appeals in state and federal courts of appeal.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Flash memory storage devices — Universal serial bus USB flash memory drives |
| Notebook computers — Laptop computers |
| Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Personal digital assistants PDA |
| Scanners — Computer data input scanners |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — BQE Software BillQuick; ESI Software ESILAW; LexisNexis Lexis Back Office; TimePro Legal Software TimePro |
| Data base user interface and query software — Argosy Legal Systems Power Closer; Microsoft Access; Upside Software UpsideContract; WorthMORE Software CaseWORTH |
| Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat software; LexisNexis HotDocs; WealthCounsel WealthDocs; World Software Corporation WORLDOX |
| Presentation software — IDEA TrialPro; Microsoft PowerPoint; Verdict Systems Sanction; Visionary Legal Technologies Visionary Professional |
| Project management software — CIBER CIBERLaw; Constellation Justice Systems DAMION software; Virtual Case Management VCM software; WebEx WebOffice |
