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LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
After graduating from the University of Virginia, I moved to San Francisco, where I worked in customer success at two startups. My roles involved talking to clients, creating customer-training materials, and understanding the technical aspects of the platform for support purposes.
I quickly became interested in how to transform a small company into a full-scale employer, inspiring me to pursue my higher education goals. From an early age, I saw myself studying law. While I debated business school, the role of a lawyer supporting businesses felt like the right path for me. In 2016, I enrolled at UC Davis School of Law.
FILLING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP
Mind mapping my MBA educationAfter my first year of law school, I felt like something was missing from my legal education. Specifically, I noticed a gap in my knowledge around finance, accounting, and corporate strategy.
While interning at HM.CLAUSE during my first summer, I took the GMAT and applied to the Full-Time MBA program at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM). By the end of the summer, I was officially a joint JD/MBA candidate.
By pairing business with law, I have been able to fill my knowledge gap.
My MBA coursework has provided an incredibly helpful conceptual roadmap for business functions. I have taken courses that lay the theoretical groundwork for strategic decision making, inform the core areas of business (operations, finance, and marketing), and build important skills (data analysis, accounting, and organization behavior).
THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS
Both programs look at business issues through a different yet complimentary lens. For example, I have taken the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) course offered at both schools. The GSM M&A course dives into assessing the strategic advantages of an acquisition and ultimately challenged us to propose a future acquisition of two real-world companies. The law school M&A course looks more closely at the process required to complete such a complex transaction. While both courses addressed different concepts, I found myself drawing from the GSM class when completing assignments for the law school class.
Similarly, accounting has been useful at both schools. In addition to the accounting courses at the GSM, I have enjoyed taking tax courses at the law school. Currently, I am using this knowledge in practice as I extern for the legal division of the California Franchise Tax Board. Both perspectives have been critical in preparing me to pursue a legal career supporting businesses, and I am incredibly fortunate to have received both educations.
BUILDING MY CAREER PATH(S)
As a law and business school student at UC Davis, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from both tech entrepreneurs in the Bay Area and larger research and development firms in the greater Northern California region.
During my first summer, I worked for the legal department of HM.CLAUSE, a global agriculture company with headquarters in Davis. Throughout the summer, I worked with commercial law, employment law, and insurance. I also learned about how an agriculture company is structured to facilitate the early research and development, pre-market trial, and commercialization stages of seed production.
This quarter, I participated in the Biotechnology Industry Immersion at GSM where we have learned about similar structures in biotechnology and drug development companies.
Davis has been a great location for me to learn about innovative industries outside the traditional Silicon Valley/San Francisco tech corridor.
At the same time, Davis is close enough to San Francisco for me to continue working with the technology industry. During my second summer, I worked as a legal intern at Udemy, an education technology company in San Francisco. At Udemy, I reviewed contracts and assisted with GDPR compliance. This opportunity inspired me to explore my legal interests in data privacy and algorithmic bias. This summer, I plan to join the corporate transactional practice at a law firm in Silicon Valley to support growing entrepreneurial enterprises.
REFLECTIONS OF A JD/MBA STUDENT
While four years is a long time to spend away from the workforce, I am glad that I am pursuing both degrees concurrently. By the time I graduate with a JD/MBA, I will have spent three summers experiencing three different possible paths for my future career.
Additionally, meeting alumni from the UC Davis JD/MBA program has been inspiring. It is encouraging to meet graduates who have developed successful careers both within the legal industry and on the business side. Ultimately, my experiences have left me incredibly optimistic about the vast potential of my career after graduation.
Prospective lawyers must undertake a series of steps to practice law, including completion of undergraduate and graduate degrees, examinations and licensing processes. Prior to embarking in this journey, those interested should ask themselves why they want to become a lawyer and if they are willing to commit several years to studying law in order to do so. For those who answer affirmatively, the following guide outlines the various academic, skill building, and licensing steps required to begin a career practicing law.Search Legal Studies Degree Programs
HOW TO BECOME A LAWYER
- Step 1COMPLETE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMA bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for admission to law school. No singular field of study is recommended by the American Bar Association at this level. In fact, the ABA notes that students gain admission to law school from nearly every area of study, ranging from political science to mathematics. Common undergraduate majors for prelaw students include English, political science, economics, business, philosophy, and journalism.SCHOOL NAMEMORE INFORMATIONLiberty University OnlineMS – Exercise Science: NutritionRequest Information
- Step 2PASS THE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TESTAlong with an undergraduate degree, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a core component of the law school admissions process. Admissions officers use scores from the LSAT as an objective measure to assess the knowledge and quality of applicants. The examination includes five multiple-choice question sections and an unscored writing sample. The LSAT measures candidates’ skills in critical areas of future legal work, including reading comprehension, information management, analysis and critical thinking, reasoning, and argumentation.
- Step 3IDENTIFY LAW SCHOOLS AND COMPLETE APPLICATIONSAfter finishing an undergraduate degree, some students choose to forego further education, while others gain professional experience in other fields prior to enrolling in law school. Regardless of the timing, prospective students should only consider law schools accredited by the American Bar Association. In addition to overall GPA, undergraduate coursework, and LSAT scores, other admission factors may include community service, organizational affiliations, and recommendation letters from educators, alumni or legal professionals. The Law School Admission Council is a great resource for students in the research phase of the law school application process.
- Step 4EARN A JURIS DOCTOR DEGREEThe Juris Doctor (JD) is the nationally recognized degree for practicing law in the United States and is currently offered by 205 ABA-accredited law schools. Prospective students should have knowledge of the faculty, areas of study, tuition, and curriculum prior to applying. There are numerous specialties within legal practice and students should select a program that offers a focused curriculum in their area of interest. For example, students may choose to concentrate in areas of real estate, property, criminal, environmental, tax, or family law. Typically students can complete their Juris Doctor in three years of full-time study.
- Step 5PASS THE BAR EXAMINATIONMost states require lawyers to graduate from an ABA-approved law school and pass the state bar examination prior to qualifying in that state. Although each state sets its own testing guidelines, the bar exam is commonly a two day process: day one is spent completing the Multistate Bar Examination while day two focuses on writing examinations covering various legal matters. In addition to the bar examination, the state board of bar examiners also consider the candidate’s educational background, competence, character, and ability to represent others in legal matters prior to offering full legal licensure.
- Step 6ADVANCE YOUR CAREERThere are many opportunities for lawyers to advance their careers. Freshman lawyers generally start out as associates, working closely with seasoned lawyers to hone their craft. After several years of successful practice, attorneys may rise to become partners in a firm while others may choose to open their own law office. Some may move beyond practicing law and become a judge or shift into public positions. Lawyers may also pursue further education at both the master’s and doctoral levels. The Master of Law (LLM) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are two common choices for lawyers interested in careers involving research and academic scholarship.
WHAT DOES A LAWYER DO?
LAWYER CAREER BASICS
The work of a lawyer is broad in scope as there is no singular occupation designated to the title. A spectrum of options is available, allowing legal professionals to pursue opportunities in corporate, private, government and international settings. In all cases, lawyers are well-trained advisors to their clients, providing support in a variety of legal matters, civil or criminal.LAWYER CAREER IN-DEPTH
As advisors, lawyers represent clients in both legal issues and disputes. In doing so, lawyers conduct case law research, participate in formal hearings, draft and file legal documents, represent clients in a courtroom and provide general advice. As an example of the diversity within the field, lawyers may prepare mortgage papers, draft and file will and trust documents, defend a client in a criminal trial, or conduct research in international shipping disputes, all within a standard workweek. Lawyers often practice in a number of areas, including tax law, intellectual property, corporate law, criminal law, litigation, family law and environmental law.
LAWYER SALARIES
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for lawyers was about $114,970 in 2014, with the top 10 percent of earners taking home more than $187,199 per year. Those working in state and local government tend to earn less while lawyers specializing in financial and insurance law are in the top bracket.
Prospective lawyers considering where to practice law should also be aware that in 25 states, the annual salaries surpassed the national average. The District of Columbia topped this list in 2014, with lawyers taking home nearly $169,000. Below is a list of the top ten paying states for lawyers in 2014 according to the BLS.
| STATES | 2014 AVERAGE SALARY |
|---|---|
| California | $158,200 |
| New York | $154,340 |
| Delaware | $145,940 |
| Massachusetts | $144,030 |
| Texas | $141,240 |
| New Jersey | $140,770 |
| Connecticut | $140,040 |
| Georgia | $132,540 |
| Virginia | $131,320 |
| Colorado | $130,620 |
Use the map below to compare salary estimates for lawyers by state:FLTXNMAZAKCANVUTCOORWAIDHIOKMTWYNDSDNEKSMNIAMOARLAMSALGASCILWIMIINOHTNKYNCWVVAPANYMEVTNHRICTNJDEMAMDDC
According to the 2015 Robert Half International Salary Guide for the Legal Field, 56% of companies surveyed revealed it is difficult to find skilled, qualified legal professionals today.
EXPLORING LAW DEGREES
Undergraduate Degree Options
The educational road to becoming a lawyer begins well before law school. The path is varied, allowing students to customize their approach. For any undergraduate, choosing a major and starting down a career path can be challenging. For the student looking to select a prelaw program, it can be even more difficult given there is no singular path at the undergraduate level.
The American Bar Association (ABA) does not currently recommend any particular discipline to prepare students for advanced legal/law education. According to the ABA, students from nearly every educational discipline are admitted to law schools, ranging from English to history, political science to business. Popular undergraduate degree areas to consider include philosophy, economics, political science, journalism, and math.
Law schools examine the student’s background, grades, overall GPA, and scores from the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The ABA recommends students pursue an undergraduate program that is broad in nature and affords the opportunity to develop core skills in the following areas:
- CRITICAL ANALYSIS
- PROBLEM SOLVING
- RESEARCH
- CRITICAL READING
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- TIME MANAGEMENT
- LISTENING COMPREHENSION
- SPEAKING
- WRITING
These skills share a common trait–they are relied upon by lawyers in all legal fields. Law school teaches future lawyers how to think like a lawyer, and critical thinking and reading are the basis for judgment and evaluation. Students learn how to critically analyze their own thinking process. Lawyers must also be expert communicators who can prepare, understand, explain, and defend complex legal documents such as contracts or court opinions. Because the ultimate goal of legal practice is to win cases, the above skills are crucial for developing and presenting persuasive arguments.
Prospective students should be aware that some universities and colleges have prelaw advisors to assist them in selecting a major, preparing for the LSAT, gathering letters of recommendation, and applying to law school.
Advanced Degrees in Law
In order to practice law, students must typically complete an undergraduate degree, earn a Juris Doctor (JD) diploma, and pass their state’s bar examination. Having an understanding of the types of law degrees available will allow students to make practical, informed decisions about whether or not to pursue a career in legal services and law. There are six advanced programs that lead to different occupations within the field. These include:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD)
- Doctor of Jurisprudence (JSD)
- Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) or Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)
- Doctor of Comparative Law (DCL)
The following sections will discuss the most common advanced degrees in law.
The Juris Doctor
The minimum educational requirement to sit for a state bar examination is a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved institution. The degree typically takes about three years of full-time study to complete. According to the ABA, there are currently 205 approved higher education providers. Not to be confused with other degrees such as the Doctor of Science of Law, the JD is a professional degree specifically designed to train future lawyers and prepare them for the bar examination.
The Juris Doctor curriculum provides students with a broad education, covering modern issues in the legal system within the ABA-mandated 84-90 post- baccalaureate credit hours. The first year of the program is generally reserved for core coursework and an introduction to elective classes to provide students with a foundational understanding of legal procedure, policies, legal analysis, and writing.
Coursework during the second and third years consists almost entirely of electives, allowing students to fashion a specialized program of study. In addition, many law schools also offer students the opportunity to pursue a concentration in areas such as public law, advocacy, business law, appellate law, or international law. Some of the electives available may include:
- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYA survey of the foundations of protecting intellectual property, including a review of the three major legal mechanisms in the field: trademark, patent, and copyright.
- ADMINISTRATIVE LAWThis course introduces students to the body of law concerning administrative agencies and includes the study of topics such as the Administrative Procedure Act and regulatory reform.
- LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONIn this class, students receive an introduction to the role of legislative bodies, including the study of statutes and regulations, from formation to enforcement, analysis to interpretation.
- CORPORATE PRACTICEThis class is designed to prepare students for future practice in corporate settings. It introduces them to corporate legal issues such as contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and joint ventures.
Below is a list of courses frequently offered within a JD program, alongside a list of skills and knowledge students should gain from the class.LEGAL SKILLS
Introduces students to the elements of practicing law, including legal analysis, policy, and writing.Skills & Knowledge Gained
- Conduct effective legal research
- Cite case law properly
- Draft litigation documents, correspondence, and motions
CONTRACTS
Students are introduced to the basic principles of contracts, including creation, termination, and alteration.Skills & Knowledge Gained
- Ability to draft professional documents
- Keen understanding of contracts, trusts, wills, and employment agreements
CIVIL PROCEDURE
Students gain an understanding of court procedures that do not involve criminal matters; includes the study of trial litigation, discovery process, and jurisdictional rules.Skills & Knowledge Gained
- Understanding of civil case law
- Knowledge of rules of discovery in civil proceedings
- Understanding of objectives and processes in civil transactions
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Teaches students about the U.S. Constitution and how it structures the legal system.Skills & Knowledge Gained
- Ability to interpret the Constitution and apply it to modern day law
- Understanding of the three branches of government and the role of a lawyer within the legal system
TORTS
This course examines civil liabilities of conduct and topics such as medical malpractice and tort reform.Skills & Knowledge Gained
- Ability to articulate legal rules in tort area of practice
- Knowledge of civil liability
- Understanding of negligence, strict liability, and intentional wrongdoing
The Master of Laws
The Master of Laws (LLM) is a specialized degree designed for practicing lawyers or professionals who have already graduated from a JD program. Traditionally completed in one year, the LLM provides a broad course of study that enhances a student’s knowledge of both law and legal theory. Examples of ideal candidates for LLM programs include judges, lawyers, law professors, and government officials. This degree usually requires students to complete 20 to 26 academic credit hours to qualify for graduation. The LLM curriculum structure is built on flexibility and diversity, allowing students to focus their studies in a particular section of law. Areas of specialization include international business, property, entertainment and media, civil litigation, and taxation, to name a few.
Concurrent Degrees
The practice of modern law does not occur in a vacuum, but at an intersection of multiple disciplines. Universities and law schools recognize that the field draws upon different areas. As a result, many offer dual or joint degree programs allowing students to earn an additional professional degree to complement their law education. Through these concurrent degree programs, students gain specialized expertise that prepares them for a range of professional opportunities. Some of the most common dual and joint degree programs include the following:JD/MBA
In these programs, students earn a Master of Business Administration to complement their Juris Doctor degree. Typically requiring approximately 124 credit hours of study, students can complete a JD/MBA in four years of full-time study distributed between the curricula of each area.JD/MA or JD/MS
This option allows students to earn a JD and Master of Arts or Sciences degree in a range of disciplines, such as international affairs, political science, philosophy, engineering, or environmental science. Generally offered as a dual degree, these programs are designed for students who want to augment their legal expertise by developing specialized knowledge in another discipline.JD/MPH
The goal of JD/MPH program is to prepare students for a career in public health policy, health law, or a related industry. These programs are typically completed in 3-4 years of full-time study and combine two degree programs—the Juris Doctor and the Master of Public Health.JD/MPP & JD/MPA
Students considering a career in public policy, administration, or government may earn a Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy or Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration to set them apart in the field. Traditionally, these joint programs require four years of full-time study and prepare graduates for leadership positions in public affairs and domestic and international policy.JD/PHD
The Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy option is intended for students pursuing research or academic-based roles. Generally speaking, JD/PHD programs can be completed in six years and allow students to combine doctoral studies in any discipline with a Juris Doctor. Example fields include anthropology, history, political science, African-American studies, or psychology.JD/LLM in Taxation
The Juris Doctor/Master of Laws in Taxation can usually be completed in 3-4 years of full-time study. The LLM in Taxation supplements the student’s legal training, preparing them to pursue a range of tax-related career opportunities both within and outside of tax law.Law Concentrations
Modern legal practice extends into many different areas, with emerging and rapidly growing industries introducing a new layer of complexity to the practice of law. Through both electives and concentrations, students can focus their education, developing advanced knowledge to address industry-specific legal issues, problems, and concerns. Below is a short overview of five common legal concentrations available to law students.Business Law
This expansive area examines multiple facets of today’s modern economy. Students in business law concentrations explore the varied and sophisticated transactions and components of business, such as federal income taxation, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, financial accounting, capital markets, and corporate finance.Intellectual Property Law
One of the most rapidly growing specialties in law, intellectual property is concerned with trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Curriculum may include the study of cyberlaw, intellectual asset management, antitrust, Internet law, and patent strategies.Criminal Law
In the courtroom, criminal defense lawyers are tasked with representing clients accused of committing crimes. In addition to studying the theory of criminal law, the curriculum also introduces students to criminal procedures, evidence, national security law, white-collar crime, and trial practice.Environmental Law
When compared to other areas of legal practice, environmental law can be considered a relatively new specialty area. It deals with numerous statutes, from the Clean Water Act to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act. The curriculum may cover topics such as land use controls, agricultural law, international environmental law, mediation, and water rights law.Entertainment and Media Law
In this specialization, students prepare to practice law in music, television, film, and other creative industries. The curriculum intersects with intellectual property law, exploring topics such as copyright law, motion picture distribution, digital media, television law, and trademark law.
Doctorate Degrees
Doctorate degrees are designed for legal professionals seeking career opportunities in scholarly research. At this level, admission is extremely competitive. It is not unusual for a law school to only accept one or two doctoral students each year and to only consider students that graduated from the same institution. Although these degrees are the highest academic programs available in law, each has its own structure and purpose. The four options include:Doctor of Philosophy in Law
The PhD in Law is ideal for JD graduates who wish to pursue academic research, scholarship, and teaching at the postsecondary level.Doctor of Jurisprudence
The DSJ degree is designed for law graduates who hold an LLM and desire to pursue individual legal research and writing. The program culminates in a dissertation that should advance and make a significant contribution to legal scholarship.Doctor of Juridical Science
The SJD degree is a research-focused program designed for students interested in performing legal research and writing in preparation for leadership roles in public positions or legal scholarship. Students must hold both a JD and an LLM from ABA-accredited institutions.Doctor of Comparative Law
The D.Comp.L program is closely aligned to the DSJ degree, but concentrates on the comparative aspects of law, particularly international law, highlighting the differences among legal systems throughout the world.PhD Skills Toolbox
Doctoral students build progressive, elevated skills in a range of areas. Some of these include:Research Methodology
Students are able to analyze issues, develop informed plans of inquiry, conduct research, and make data-driven recommendations. Legal Expertise
Students develop an advanced understanding of legal issues, theory, and the legal system alongside critical reasoning skills. Policy Expertise
Students gain advanced understanding in specialized policy areas or domains and are able to make expert recommendations in each area. Communication
Students are able to communicate effectively, writing and speaking clearly for varied audiences and purposes.
Online Law Schools
Currently, no law school offers a fully online Juris Doctor degree approved by the American Bar Association. In order to sit for state bar examinations, students must earn a degree from an ABA-accredited institution. While fully online programs do not exist, some universities and law schools may allow students to complete some coursework via online learning formats. This includes students in dual, concurrent, or joint degree programs. For example, some dual programs–such as the JD/MPH program at the University of Minnesota–allow for a majority of non-law coursework to be completed via online learning.
Although online learning is somewhat limited in law school settings, pre-law students pursuing undergraduate degrees may pursue nearly every recommended bachelor’s degree entirely via online learning or through blended learning formats.
What to Consider When Selecting a Law School
There are numerous considerations when deciding to pursue a law degree. Prospective students need to ensure they are getting the right return on their investment by finding a law school that matches both their educational needs and career goals. Below is a list of factors students should review before deciding to apply to law school.ABA ACCREDITATION
In nearly every state, law graduates are ineligible to sit for the bar examination if they haven’t earned a JD from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association. Passing the bar examination is the basic requirement to practice law.BAR EXAM PREPARATION
Traditionally, law schools prepare students to take the bar examination in the state the institution is located. Prospective students should consider where they want to practice law as that will influence where they attend school. However, some states have reciprocal agreements allowing graduates from one state to practice law in another after passing the bar examination.LIBRARIES AND RESEARCH RESOURCES
Attending law school means reading, and lots of it. Law students should consider the research facilities and libraries at their school of choice, examining the quality of the library collection, staff, research materials, and even hours of operation.FACULTY
The success of any student hinges on faculty members. Prospective students should get an understanding of faculty member’s backgrounds, educational and professional experience, and areas of research. Faculty-student ratio is also important, as it is an indicator of how personalized the learning experience will be at each school.CURRICULUM
Generally speaking, law students are not required to specialize when they graduate. However, students should review the institution’s curriculum prior to applying. Not all law schools have programs that suit the student’s individual’s interests and goals. Secondly, students seeking a well-rounded education should ensure the school offers a rich and diverse list of classes that complement coursework in general law.
COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS A LAWYER
Lawyer Skills
Through educational training, lawyers develop a range of professional skills, most of which revolve around information. Lawyers must be able to consume, digest, analyze, and process vast amounts of data.
The Law School Admission Council has distilled important legal skills into six areas:
- Negotiating
- Counseling
- Communicating
- Advocating
- Synthesizing
- Analyzing
Lawyers should be keen researchers, able to decipher complex legal documents and case studies. Another major skill is communication, both verbally and in written form, which enables proper conveyance of ideas to clients, arbitrators, legal counsel, juries, and the general public.Lawyer Credentials & Certifications
Although certification has become an important part of the legal profession, formal board certification of lawyers is a fairly recent industry shift. Certification programs are entirely voluntary and lawyers not certified in a specialization (e.g. real estate law, environmental law) are not barred from practicing in that field. Lawyers may pursue certification from private ABA-accredited programs, state sponsored plans, and state-accredited private certifiers. For example, lawyers may gain board certification in multiple areas from the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, including the following:
- Civil Pretrial Practice
- Trial Lawyer
- Family Lawyer
- Social Security Disability Lawyer
- Criminal Trial Lawyer
Tools and Technology for Lawyers
Like other fields, the legal industry is experiencing a growing integration of technology into everyday work. In addition to standard office tools and technology (e.g. computers, Microsoft Office, etc.), lawyers may use a variety of other specialized software to manage their work effectively. Some of these include:
- Accounting – ESI Software
- Document Management – LexisNexis HotDocs
- Project Management – Practice Technology Prevail
- Database Management – LexisNexis CaseMap
- Cloud Computing – CoCounselor, Clio, RocketMatter, and MyCase
LAWYER JOB GROWTH, PROSPECTS AND OUTLOOK
Nationally, the BLS projects a 10 percent growth of employment in legal careers between 2012 and 2022, translating to an additional 74,800 positions created during this time. Five of the most in-demand practice areas are detailed below.LITIGATION
Driven by an increase in proceedings, there is a growing need for skilled legal specialists in areas of commercial litigation and medical malpractice.BUSINESS & CORPORATE LAW
Driven by compliance, federal regulation such as Dodd-Frank Act, contract administration, and increasing business activity.HEALTHCARE
Driven largely by compliance issues created by the American Care Act, insurance companies and government organizations are seeking skilled legal professionals with knowledge of the healthcare industry.INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Driven by the vast technology sector, protecting intellectual property has become paramount for most companies.REAL ESTATE
Driven by an improving economy and growing housing markets, lawyers are needed to provide services in areas ranging from commercial development to property management issues.
States with the best employment outlooks include Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. Below is a list of the ten states expected to see the largest percentage of employment opportunities for lawyers between 2012 and 2022.
- TENNESSEE31.4%
- UTAH27.0%
- WASHINGTON23.2%
- COLORADO22.0%
- TEXAS21.8%
- ARIZONA20.6%
- GEORGIA19.0%
- FLORIDA18.2%
- NORTH CAROLINA18.2%
- OREGON15.1%
Curious about lawyer job growth in your state? Select a state below for more information about employment and job growth for this career.Select a State: Alabama Alaska Arizona California Connecticut Delaware Florida Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Vermont Washington State West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming 
Employed Lawyers
8,3908,3907,3507,35020202010010,…2,5005,0007,5001.33%Average Annual Job Growth245Annual Job Openings
RELATED LEGAL CAREERS
Becoming a lawyer is not the only career path available to those interested in this area of work. A diverse, wide-ranging industry, legal services offers prospective students a wealth of career opportunities that diverge from the actual practice of law.
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