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
—
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
210 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingPersuasionNegotiationSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningTime ManagementCoordinationSystems AnalysisMonitoringService OrientationLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesOperations AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Law and GovernmentEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsPsychologyEconomics and AccountingSociology and AnthropologySales and MarketingTelecommunicationsTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyProduction and ProcessingGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyTransportationForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryEngineering and TechnologyChemistryFine ArtsDesignBiologyMechanicalBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsFood Production
Technology & tools
ADC Legal Systems Perfect PracticeADERANT Expert Matter CenterAbacus Data Systems AbacusLawAbacusNext HotDocsAdobe AcrobatAdvanced Technologies Class ActAdvantageLaw WinVantageAnacomp CaseLogistixArgosy Legal Systems Power CloserBQE Software BillQuickBest Case Solutions Best Case BankruptcyBridgeway eCounselCT Summation iBlazeCT hCueCanyon Solutions JcatsCaptaris AlchemyCatalyst Repository Systems CatalystCRCatalyst Repository Systems CatalystDRCatalyst Repository Systems CatalystXEChesapeake Interlink NeedlesClient Profiles Case ManagementCobblestone Systems Contract InsightCompuLaw VisionCompugov DocketViewComputer Sciences Corporation Legal Solutions SuiteConstellation Justice Systems CourtViewConvex FactLogicCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteCorporate Focus Solium ShareworksCorporatek EnAct PlatinumCreative Data Solutions DuProcessCrimeCog Technologies E*JusticeCrocodile Consulting Traffic ControlCustomer Expressions i-SightCyberDyne Industries CaseWizardDATAssimilate Systems DATAssimilatorDPS Software General LitigationDe Novo Systems De Novo CaseMgrDiarymasterDirect Hit Systems THREADS
Representative tasks
Getting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProcessing InformationWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsThinking CreativelyDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesAnalyzing Data or InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleSelling or Influencing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
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
92 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Admiralty LawyerAgency Legal CounselAttorneyAttorney at LawAttorney GeneralBarristerBusiness LawyerChief CounselCity AttorneyCity SolicitorCivil LawyerCivil Litigation AttorneyCivil Rights AttorneyClaim AttorneyCommonwealth AttorneyContracts AttorneyConveyancerCorporate AttorneyCorporate CounselCorporate CounselorCorporate LawyerCorporation CounselCorporation LawyerCounselCounselor at LawCounty AttorneyCounty CounselCriminal Defense LawyerCriminal Justice LawyerCriminal LawyerCyber Legal AdvisorCybersecurity LawyerDefense AttorneyDistrict AttorneyDivorce LawyerDocument Review AttorneyEmployment AttorneyEntertainment LawyerEnvironmental AttorneyEnvironmental Lawyer