Occupations23-1011.00

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions.

Median annual pay
$151,160

BLS, 2024

Employment
864,800

U.S., 2024

Ten-year outlook
+4.1%

2024–34

Annual openings
31,500

Projected average

The work

Core tasks

  1. 01Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
  2. 02Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
  3. 03Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
  4. 04Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
  5. 05Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
  6. 06Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
  7. 07Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.
  8. 08Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
  9. 09Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
  10. 10Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.
  11. 11Supervise legal assistants.
  12. 12Negotiate contractual agreements.

Capabilities

Essential skills

SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingActive LearningMonitoringLearning StrategiesMathematicsScience

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading

U.S. employment is projected to move from 864,800 in 2024 to 900,700 in 2034, a +4.1% change.

BLS projects an average of 31,500 openings each year over the period, including openings created by workers leaving the occupation.