Lawyer

For those individuals who have exceptional communication skills, this career is ideal. The individual should be able to make new connections and personal contacts. The candidate should also be able to work in a team.

A potential lawyer must have good negotiation and persuasion skills to enable him/her to be the best at what they do. Moreover, lawyers must be able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.

Moreover, strong attention to detail and good problem solving skills are key to become successful. An analytical and practical minded person should consider a future in this career.

Lawyers are also called attorneys act as advocates as well as advisors in our society. Advocates represent a party during trials while advisors only give legal advice to individuals and businesses.

There are many different areas that lawyers specialize in including bankruptcy, probate, elder, environmental, or international law. Depending upon their specialization and position, lawyer’s duties are determined.

All lawyers however, can represent parties in court. Trial lawyers spend most of their time researching outside the courtroom in preparation for a trial. Lawyers may help their clients file for licenses or permits, advice clients about the legality of certain transactions etc.

When a claim is filed against the company or individual, it is the lawyer who fights on behalf of the company or individual. Most lawyers work in private practices, usually specializing in criminal or civil law. Sometimes lawyers may be employed by a single large client to give advice on their daily business activities.

There are many lawyers also employed at different levels of the government. They fight cases on behalf of the government. Lawyers are increasingly using the internet to do research and share information.

After graduating from high school, lawyers have to study full time for 7 years. This includes 4 years of undergraduate study after 3 years at law school. When obtaining a bachelors degree, potential lawyers can take related majors.

There is a Law School Admission Test (LSAT) that has to be passed. Internships and part time work as assistants can also be beneficial to lawyers. Lawyers must also obtain licenses to practice law in their state.

In the United States, the mean salary for lawyers was $110,000 per year. Those lawyers who owned their own firms earned much less than those individuals who were partners in a law firms.

In India, A fresh independent lawyer earns "zero to Rs. 15,000" a month in litigation. While firms have fewer vacancies, "good" ones noticed in courts get picked by seniors, says Pravin H Parekh, president, Supreme Court Bar Association.

Lawyers working in a firm will get dental benefits, medical insurance, and retirement planning. If the lawyer is independent, then these benefits do not apply.

Further on, a lawyer’s income depends on factors such as reputation, expertise and kinds of cases handled. a lawyer can earn between Rs. 127,000 to Rs. 4,105,000 per annum, depending upon the specialization and experience. There are advocates who are said to charge Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 1 crore for one court appearance

Most lawyers have their own offices which they work from. They may also do work in law libraries or in court rooms. Sometimes, lawyers may visit their clients at home or at their work places. Lawyers may even have to go to hospitals or prisons to meet clients.

Travelling may also be involved in this career because lawyers have to get evidence and attend meetings. They may also be under a lot of stress when a case is filed and under trial. Lawyers also have to do a lot of reading to be well prepared for the case.

Those lawyers who work for a firm have a fixed schedule. Those working for private practices may work irregular hours while they are gathering evidence and constructing a case. Usually lawyers work long hours, often 50 or more hours a week.

The main perk of being a lawyer is the money. Salaried lawyers earn large amounts for all the cases that they tackle. Moreover, lawyers get to work and interact with a wide variety of people and this can be rewarding for them as it may lead to increased business if the lawyer is successful.

If the lawyer is working with a firm, then they have a chance to become a partner in the firm, once they have proven themselves. This career also involves a lot of travelling which is a perk for many.

Lawyers to reach a position where they are making a lot of money, have to get a degree from a law school which can be very expensive. Moreover, this career is very stressful and can involve tedious tasks. The justice system in many countries is very frustrating and it is quite possible for a lawyer to get disheartened because of constant delays or ‘unjust’ decisions.

Along with this, lawyers travel a great deal and so would not see their friends and family for long periods of time. They also have to work long and irregular hours which is a downside to becoming a lawyer.

In 2008, lawyers held approximately 759,200 jobs in the United States, with 26% of this number being self employed. Their employment is expected to grow by 13% up till 2018 for salaried jobs.

The competition for entrance into a good law school as well as to get a good job is intense. Because of the growing number of graduates, there is a lot of competition in this field. Because of the competition, lawyers have to work in fields that are not of their interest.

Lawyers are found almost everywhere in the world where a justice system that requires them is present. The highest level of demand is in metropolitan areas of the world where the demand for justice is highest. Developed countries have the least frustrating justice systems.

Go for either a three-year LLB programme after graduation in any discipline, or for a five-year integrated BA LLB programme after passing Class 12. Admission to these courses is usually through a written competition, such as the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). You could specialise in a particular area depending on your “interest and inclination,” says Parekh. A number of courses are now available in fields like human rights, intellectual property rights, and cyber law. Ideally, a fresh lawyer should do litigation for five to 10 years, including two-three in a trial court to learn cross-examination, pleadings, drafting etc, says Parekh. “No lawyer can become a good corporate lawyer or even a good lawyer without drilling in litigation though it initially pays less,” he says. "Corporate lawyers get good pay in the beginning — Rs. 50,000, Rs. 1lakh — but it remains at that level unless you become a partner in a firm or start one.” According to Parekh, the foundation of a good lawyer is laid in a trial court