Lawyer

Your Fit

Income

$120K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

7.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Lawyer?

Lawyers are legal professionals who represent and advise clients in both criminal and civil legal matters. They interpret laws, apply legal knowledge to specific cases, and advocate on behalf of their clients.

Sample job titles:

Attorney, Attorney General, Counsel, Lawyer

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Lawyer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Lawyer earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Lawyer.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$60K per year	$88K per year	$120K per year	$166K per year	$207K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $55K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Lawyer do?

Work environment

Lawyers typically work in law firms, private practices, corporations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. Their work environment is often office-based but may include courtrooms and other legal settings. Lawyers usually work full time with the potential for long hours, especially when preparing for court proceedings.

Quick task list

Provides legal advice and representation to clients.
Researches and interprets laws, rulings, and regulations.
Drafts, reviews, and files legal documents.
Represents clients in court or before government agencies.
Negotiates settlements in civil disputes.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Corporate Law: Advising businesses on their legal rights, responsibilities, and obligations.
Criminal Law: Defending or prosecuting individuals accused of crimes.
Family Law: Handling matters such as divorce, child custody, and adoption.
Environmental Law: Focusing on laws and policies regarding environmental issues.
Intellectual Property Law: Dealing with rights related to inventions, trademarks, and copyrights.

Description

The legal profession requires a high level of skill in analysis, critical thinking, and communication. Lawyers must be able to build strong arguments, think logically, and communicate effectively with clients, judges, and other legal professionals. They are responsible for understanding and applying complex legal theories to real-world scenarios, making sound judgments, and providing informed legal advice.

Lawyers often specialize in specific areas of law, which requires them to stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments in their field. They must be adept at research, able to dissect large volumes of information, and distill it into coherent, persuasive arguments. Their role can be incredibly varied, from drafting contracts for corporations to representing individuals in court.

A career in law is not only intellectually challenging but also deeply impactful. Lawyers play a crucial role in the justice system, advocating for their clients' rights and striving to achieve the best possible outcomes. They have the potential to influence significant societal changes, protect individual rights, and uphold the principles of justice.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Advocating for clients and achieving successful outcomes.
The intellectual challenge of interpreting and applying the law.
The potential to contribute to significant societal and legal changes.

You might make a good Lawyer if you are...

Analytical and enjoy solving complex problems.
Skilled in research and detail-oriented.
An effective communicator, both in writing and verbally.
Interested in the law and its impact on society.
Able to handle stress and work under pressure.

Pros:

Intellectual stimulation and constant learning.
Potential for a high degree of influence and respect.
Diverse career opportunities and areas of specialization.

Cons:

High-stress environment with demanding hours.
The competitive nature of the field.
The responsibility of handling complex and sensitive legal issues.

How to become a Lawyer

Typical education

Becoming a lawyer generally requires completing a 4-year undergraduate degree, followed by 3 years of law school, totaling 7 years of post-secondary education. Afterward, passing the bar exam in the relevant jurisdiction is necessary to practice law.

High school preparation

Courses:

English and Writing to develop strong written communication skills.
Social Studies, focusing on government and history, to understand legal foundations.
Debate or Public Speaking to enhance argumentation and speaking skills.
Advanced Mathematics to develop analytical thinking.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining debate or mock trial teams.
Participating in student government or civic engagement projects.
Volunteering for legal aid organizations or community advocacy groups.

Preparation after high school

Pursue an undergraduate degree in a field that develops critical thinking and writing skills, such as Political Science, English, or History.
Consider participating in pre-law programs or clubs in college.
Attend law school, focusing on your area of interest.
Gain experience through internships or clerking for a law firm or judge.
Study for and pass the bar exam in your chosen jurisdiction.

More resources

American Bar Association (ABA) - Provides resources for legal professionals and law students.
Law School Admission Council (LSAC) - Offers information on law school admissions and the LSAT exam.
FindLaw for Legal Professionals - Contains legal information and resources for lawyers, including case law and legal news.
National Association for Law Placement (NALP) - Provides information on legal employment and career planning.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.