Lawyers work in various settings depending on their area of practice; from legislating with legislators or their staff to writing laws as judges or representing clients privately or at government agencies.
Recent law school graduates typically gain their initial legal experience through internships or externships, which provide hands-on exposure to various legal practices while helping them determine the area in which they want to specialize.
Government
Tens of thousands of attorneys work for state, local and federal government agencies. They serve multiple functions – litigating civil and criminal cases; counseling lawmakers on legislation; drafting laws; enforcing regulatory compliance requirements; issuing administrative legal opinions; issuing advisory opinions – among many more.
At the local level, lawyers frequently work for city law departments. In large cities like San Diego and Chicago, these departments employ many lawyers specializing in areas like zoning, environmental law, real estate development, labor & employment issues as well as eminent domain.
Attorneys working at an agency level tend to take on more of a consultative role and generally deal with general legal matters related to running an entity, like contracts and personnel issues, but may also be called upon for more specialized litigation and public policy issues. According to Stacie Pavao ’18, dealing with different issues from week to week can be both exciting and daunting; although those preferring structured firm environments may find this challenge enjoyable.
Private Business
Private business attorneys serve the needs of corporate boards, businesses of all sizes, entrepreneurs, investors and individuals in this niche field of law. Their role involves being effective advisors, knowledgeable strategists and skilled dealmakers.
Private lawyers work in various environments: from large firms with broad practice areas to mid-sized and boutique firms specializing in one area or specialty. Each setting presents its own set of challenges and opportunities; finding the ideal setting depends on your priorities, goals, lifestyle preferences and risk tolerance.
Many law school graduates begin their careers at large national law firms; while these can offer prestige and the chance to experience various practice areas, they can also be demanding on work-life balance. Firms expect junior associates to generate their own business at a high turnover rate; this may prove stressful for those who prefer more predictable schedules or who prefer not engaging in sales and marketing.
In-House Counsel
In-house counsel are employed by companies and other organizations that hire them to provide legal advice and services. Their job often involves working closely with departments outside of legal, such as human resources or finance, to collaborate on projects and policies affecting all areas of a company.
Contrary to their law firm counterparts, in-house lawyers typically don’t track billable hours and may receive a fixed base salary instead of bonuses based on hours worked.
In-house counsel can pursue career advancement in roles like Chief Legal Officer or General Counsel. These positions allow them to assume an expanded role within an organization by providing legal support for CEO and C-suite members as well as providing insights about legal matters to C-suite members. Some attorneys can even leverage their deep understanding of operations and strategy for business leadership opportunities.
Law Firms
Law firms employ many professionals that assist them in providing legal services and solutions to clients, including paralegals, legal assistants, paraprofessionals and secretaries. Furthermore, clerks and research assistants as well as administrative staff and accounting support teams may also be hired.
Large law firms (external link:open_in_new) are often known for their prestige, high salaries and fast-paced work environment. They employ hundreds to thousands of attorneys from varying practice areas with junior associates typically handling various cases before eventually specialising.
Attorneys who become partners at law firms can reap significant financial rewards, such as increased salaries and equity shares in the firm’s profits. Furthermore, becoming partners allows attorneys to assume leadership roles and shape its strategic direction; however, becoming partners isn’t available to everyone as it requires extensive experience and devotion to practicing law.
