1. LAWYER CAREER “A person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person licensed to practice law."

2. What do Lawyers do? Although lawyers affect nearly every aspect of society in a range of positions and industries, their basic duties are the same to represent the needs of their clients in civil and criminal trials. However, other job duties vary dramatically. Lawyers can specialize in bankruptcy, international, elder, probate, or environmental law. The growing field of intellectual property is also seeing a growing level of attention from lawyers

3. Lawyer Training and Education Competition for law school is intense, and is viewed as the first of many challenges for aspiring lawyers. A four-year college degree plus three years of law school are the basic educational requirements for lawyers. After formal training, candidates must pass a stringent bar examination.

4. Lawyer Employment & Outlook About 761,000 lawyers were employed nationwide in 2006, according to the BLS. Of lawyers who were salaried, most held positions in government, in law firms or other corporations, or in nonprofit organizations. A relatively small number worked at law schools as faculty.

5. Typical Lawyer Salary As a reward for the stringent nature of the educational and employment process, lawyers earn high salaries. The BLS reports that lawyers saw mean annual earnings of $118,280 in 2007. Those working directly in legal services occupations earned $124,230, while those working in local and state government earned $87,130 and $78,310, respectively.