Lawyer Power PointPersonality Traits• Hard Working• Determined• Smart• Outgoing• Organized

Interests• Legal

system• Law• Civics• Writing• Problem

Solving

Personal Values• Hard working• Commitment• Dependable• Being on time• Effort

Work Values• Good working

conditions• Independent• Supportive• Reliable• Organization

Career Possibilities• Lawyer• Paralegal• Judge

Skills• Writing• Critical Thinking • Complex Problem

Solving• Systems Analysis• Research

WHAT DO LAWYERS DO?

Advise and represent clients in court, before government agencies or in private legal matter

Communicate with their clients and others

Conduct research and analysis of legal problems

Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses

Present fact in writing or verbally to their clients or others and argue on their behalf

Prepare and file legal documents, such as lawsuits, appeals, wills, contracts, and deeds

SALARY

Entry level $54,120

Average $130,490

Experienced $166,810

$54.21 per hour

Salaries vary according to locations

CHARACTERISTICS

Analytical skills- Lawyers help their clients resolve problems or issues. As a result, they must be able to

analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions.

Interpersonal skills- Lawyers must win the respect and confidence of their clients by building a trusting

relationship so that clients feel comfortable and share personal information related to their case.

Problem-solving skills- Lawyers must separate their emotions and prejudice from their clients’ problems

and objectively evaluate the matter. Therefore, good problem-solving skills are important for lawyers to

prepare the best defense or recommendation.

Research skills- Preparing legal advice or representation for a client commonly requires substantial

research. All lawyers need to be able to find what applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matter.

Speaking skills- Lawyers are hired by their clients to speak on their behalf. Lawyers must be able to clearly

present and explain evidence to a judge and jury.

Writing skills-Lawyers need to be precise and specific when preparing documents, such as wills, trusts, and

powers of attorney.

EDUCATION

4 years of undergraduate

3 years of law school

A bachelor degree is required in most law schools to enter

COLLEGES

Appalachian School of Law

College of William and Mary

George Mason University

James Madison University

Liberty University

Regent University

University of Richmond

University of Virginia

ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES

Advantages- Good pay, good employment outlook, and good benefits

Disadvantages- Lawyers work long hours, sometimes they travel a lot, a lot of

years of college required

CAREER LADDER

Start as associates and work with more experienced lawyers and judges

After several years some lawyer may be admitted to partnership and become

partial owners of the firm they work for.

Some go into practice for themselves or move to the legal department of a large

corporations

A few experienced lawyer may be nominated or elected to judgeships

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

Employment of Lawyers is expected to grow by 10 percent from 2010 to 2020

Projected employment in 2020 is 801,800

It is projected that 73,600 new lawyers will be hired

RELATED OCCUPATIONS

Paralegals

Criminal Investigators

Special Agents

Judges

Judicial Law Clerks

BIOGRAPHY

http://

www.vaview.org/68/careersq/career-search/career/23-1011.00

BIOGRAPHY

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm