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Legal > Attorney

Salary National Average

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69280.0000 92030.0000 130580.0000

Change from Previous Year:

+28%

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Candidate Supply: 4,577 Job Openings: 187,044

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Short Description:

An Attorney, or lawyer, is responsible for providing legal advice and representation to clients on a variety of legal matters. They can represent clients in criminal and civil litigation or other legal proceedings and may specialize in a single area or practice broadly in many areas of law. Their duties include conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, and representing clients in court proceedings or negotiations. Attorneys also offer guidance on legal strategies, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and may specialize in areas such as criminal law, corporate law, or family law. Strong analytical, research, and communication skills, along with a deep understanding of the law, are essential for success in this role as Attorneys serve as advocates and advisors for their clients.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Provide legal support and guidance.
  • Advise clients on the best behavior while charges are pending, including confiding in family and friends and social media use.
  • Meets with clients to discuss critically pending charges and strategize how best to defend the client.
  • Find ethical solutions to legal matters.
  • Communicating with clients to understand their legal concerns and needs to help provide them with essential advice.
  • Strategize on how to resolve the client's cases favorably and cost-effectively.
  • Enlightening clients about legal options and making them know the possible outcomes or threats.
  • Develop ideal arguments and represent clients in civil and criminal legal proceedings.
  • Stay informed about any current legislation.
  • Build trustworthy relationships with clients.
  • Prepare legal documents such as dispositions, pleadings, and contracts promptly and accurately.
  • Assist clients with the execution of agreements such as plea bargains with the regional attorney's office.
  • Collect retainers from clients and execute contracts.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Accounting Software: BQE Software BillQuick; Fund accounting software; LexisNexis PCLaw; TimeSolv Legal
  • Database User Interface and Query Software: Argosy Legal Systems Power Closer; LexisNexis CaseMap; Microsoft Access; WorthMORE Software CaseWORTH
  • Document Management Software: AbacusNext HotDocs; Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat; Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS; WealthCounsel WealthDocs
  • Information Retrieval or Search Software: LexisNexis; LexisNexis Shepard's Citations Service; Thomson Reuters Westlaw; Wolters Kluwer Loislaw
  • Presentation Software: IDEA TrialPro; inData TrialDirector; Microsoft PowerPoint; Visionary Legal Technologies Visionary Professional

Job Zones

  • Title: Job Zone Five Extensive Preparation Needed
  • Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
  • Related Experience: Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. 
  • Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, or training.
  • Job Zone Examples: These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. 
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: 4-7 years preparation (8.0 and above)

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