Lawyer Pay: What to Expect in Different Practice Areas
The amount of money you can earn as a lawyer also varies depending on the type of law you practice. Here’s a closer look at what to expect in some of the most common practice areas:
- Corporate Law
Corporate lawyers work with businesses to help them navigate legal issues related to their operations. This can include everything from mergers and acquisitions to contract negotiations and intellectual property rights. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in corporate law was $145,300 as of May 2020.
- Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property lawyers specialize in helping clients protect their patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. This can include filing patent applications, negotiating licensing agreements, and litigating intellectual property disputes. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in intellectual property law was $146,720 as of May 2020.
- Criminal Law
Criminal lawyers represent clients who have been accused of crimes, from misdemeanors to felonies. They may work as public defenders, private defense attorneys, or prosecutors. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in criminal law was $67,000 as of May 2020, although salaries can vary widely depending on experience and location.
- Personal Injury Law
Personal injury lawyers represent clients who have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. This can include everything from car accidents to medical malpractice cases. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in personal injury law was $80,000 as of May 2020.
- Family Law
Family lawyers help clients navigate legal issues related to family relationships, such as divorce, child custody, and adoption. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in family law was $83,660 as of May 2020.
- Immigration Law
Immigration lawyers help clients navigate the complex legal process of immigrating to the United States. This can include everything from applying for visas to defending clients against deportation. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in immigration law was $131,210 as of May 2020.
- Tax Law
While salaries for lawyers can vary widely depending on practice area and location, there are several things you can do to increase your earning potential as a lawyer:
- Gain Experience
The amount of money you can earn as a lawyer also varies depending on the type of law you practice. Here’s a closer look at what to expect in some of the most common practice areas:
- Corporate Law
Corporate lawyers work with businesses to help them navigate legal issues related to their operations. This can include everything from mergers and acquisitions to contract negotiations and intellectual property rights. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in corporate law was $145,300 as of May 2020.
- Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property lawyers specialize in helping clients protect their patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. This can include filing patent applications, negotiating licensing agreements, and litigating intellectual property disputes. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in intellectual property law was $146,720 as of May 2020.
- Criminal Law
Criminal lawyers represent clients who have been accused of crimes, from misdemeanors to felonies. They may work as public defenders, private defense attorneys, or prosecutors. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in criminal law was $67,000 as of May 2020, although salaries can vary widely depending on experience and location.
- Personal Injury Law
Personal injury lawyers represent clients who have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. This can include everything from car accidents to medical malpractice cases. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in personal injury law was $80,000 as of May 2020.
- Family Law
Family lawyers help clients navigate legal issues related to family relationships, such as divorce, child custody, and adoption. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in family law was $83,660 as of May 2020.
- Immigration Law
Immigration lawyers help clients navigate the complex legal process of immigrating to the United States. This can include everything from applying for visas to defending clients against deportation. The median annual wage for lawyers who work in immigration law was $131,210 as of May 2020.
- Tax Law
While salaries for lawyers can vary widely depending on practice area and location, there are several things you can do to increase your earning potential as a lawyer:
- Gain Experience
Lawyers with more experience typically earn higher salaries than those who are just starting out. Look for opportunities to gain experience early in your career,