Occupation · SOC 23-1011
Lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
210 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingPersuasion
Knowledge areas
Law and GovernmentEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareDocument management softwareBilling and invoicing softwareProject management softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clie
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Legal research (Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law) — execute on assigned questions under a senior associate's direction.Memorandum writing — produce on discrete research questions with senior-attorney edits.Document review for discovery — perform per protocol on a tier-1 substantive review.Case file organization — maintain to firm standards across an active matter.Citation checking and Bluebooking — apply consistently in legal-writing assignments.Court filings and procedural deadlines — track and meet under a paralegal's and senior's review.Client correspondence and engagement letters — draft for senior attorney sign-off.Deposition and hearing transcripts — summarize accurately for case team review.Confidentiality and conflict-of-interest screens — apply consistently across new-matter intake.Time entry and billable-hours discipline — record contemporaneously per firm standards.
developing
Discrete substantive sections of briefs and motions — draft for partner review on owned cases.Discovery production and response — manage on routine cases with reduced senior oversight.Deposition preparation — assist with outlines, exhibits, and witness prep on standard cases.Client meetings and calls — attend substantively and contribute to follow-ups.Routine court appearances (status conferences, motion arguments) — handle solo on familiar matters.Junior associates and law clerks on assigned sections — review and coach during their first year.Substantive expertise in a practice area — develop over a 2–4 year specialization period.Settlement negotiations under partner direction — participate substantively in mediations and conferences.Witness interviews and fact-development — conduct on case-relevant fact patterns.Engagement management and budgets — track on owned matter components.
proficient
Full case ownership — manage from intake through resolution on mid-complexity matters.Trial-team second-chair responsibilities — handle witness exam, opening or closing, and motion argument on substantial cases.Client relationships at controller/GC level — manage across a portfolio of matters.Negotiation of complex transactions or settlements — lead with senior backstop on owned deals.Substantive specialty expertise — recognized within the firm or industry niche.Junior and senior associates — mentor on practice technique and career development.Practice-area thought leadership — contribute through publication, CLE, or industry-group participation.Engagement profitability and team economics — manage to firm targets on owned matters.Cross-practice collaboration — coordinate with tax, IP, litigation, regulatory partners on integrated matters.Pro bono leadership — own significant pro bono matters in addition to commercial work.
advanced
Practice group, transactional team, or trial team — lead with origination and supervisory responsibility.Major matters with bet-the-company stakes — drive to defensible outcomes with executive and board engagement.Client relationships at CEO / board / general-counsel level — steward across multi-year arcs.Practice-area strategy and origination — develop business that sustains the team's pipeline.Hiring, partnership-track, and equity-share decisions — shape across the practice.Major regulatory or governmental engagements — represent clients at agency, court, or congressional level.Profession-level contributions (rule-making, bar leadership, judicial appointment, academic) — make credibly over time.Crisis and high-profile representation — lead client through media, regulatory, and reputational complexity.Cross-practice and cross-office initiatives — drive firm-level outcomes.Successor pipeline and partner development — shape the practice's next generation.
Also known as
98 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Attorney GeneralCorporation LawyerLitigation AssociateConveyancerLawyer, Real EstateEnvironmental AttorneyCriminal Defense LawyerLegal AdvisorAttorneyIntellectual Property LawyerInsurance AttorneyCorporate LawyerLawyer, PatentChief CounselTitle LawyerAttorney at LawAdmiralty LawyerTrial LawyerLegal ConsultantGeneral CounselorAgency Legal CounselForeign Legal ConsultantMilitary LawyerCounselLegal ExaminerTown AttorneyEnvironmental LawyerHealth Care AttorneyTitle AttorneyEntertainment LawyerCounty AttorneyEmployment AttorneyCivil Rights AttorneyInsurance Defense AttorneyBarristerFederal Public DefenderReal Estate AttorneyProbate LawyerCity SolicitorLitigation Attorney