Lawyer Job Description

Lawyers do many different things. Most people think that they spend most of their time in the courtroom, when in fact they actually spend at least there. Lawyers do a lot of 'leg work', researching and investigating, advocating and advising. While advocating for their clients in court, they present evidence that support. While advising, they counsel their clients concerning legal rights and responsibilities. 


Here is a list of tasks that lawyers may or may not do for any case. 

• Interpreting the law 
• Apply the law to specific situations 
• Draft new laws 
• Researching a precedent (previous interpretation of law, and court decisions based on that law) 
• Conducting criminal and civil case 
• Prepare legal documents 
• Collecting evidence 
• Interview clients and witnesses 
• Dealing with the details in preparation for trial 
• File a brief with the court clerk 
• Representing clients in court and before quasi-judicial agency of government or administrative 
• Confer with colleagues who specialize in specific areas 
• Acting as trustee, guardian or executor 
• May draft wills, trusts, transfer of assets, gifts, and other documents 
• May supervise and coordinate activities of subordinate legal personnel (law student) 
• Teach courses in law school 
• Specialize in specific phase of law 

Alternate Names Used for Lawyers 
Lawyer: Attorney, Counselor, Practitioner; 


Lawyer Job Outlook 
Most new graduates do not make it out really big, prestigious law firm of law school. In fact, a new lawyer who started on salaried position as an associate at law firm, or go to work for the judges and lawyers with experience as a research assistant or officer of the law. After the lawyers have years of experience under their belts, the possibility of the inevitable progress as a lawyer much to establish his own practice or become a partner in their company. Another lawyer with years of experience go to the political or legal position is higher such as judge, prosecutor or district attorney. 


Currently, there are more than 735,000 practicing lawyers nationwide. Although the number is high, demand for lawyers is expected to grow at a rate equal to the average work though 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lawyers who aspire to work for big companies should look for a job in a big city or major metropolitan area. Lawyers who want to own their own practice, should look to establish their businesses in smaller communities or suburbs. 


Regardless of where you worked as a lawyer, you can expect to work long hours. Lawyers who have their own practice can schedule their own workload, while lawyers working in law firms usually need to put in overtime to prepare for appearances in court or to prepare legal documents for their cases are assigned. In addition, all national lawyers should take the time to update themselves on the latest news, new laws, and recent court decisions in the field of their interest.