How The Strong Inventory Relates to a Career as a Lawyer
The Persuaders are often referred to as individuals who score high in Enterprising Theme in the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) Assessments. These are the people who work primarily in directing, influencing, and leading others. Lawyers are often associated with the Strong Interest Inventory Assessment Enterprising Theme Code because they exhibit characteristics and interest in debating, persuading, and disputing the point of view that focuses on legal matters. This theme represents individuals who enjoy taking charge, making decisions, and taking risks to achieve their goals. Lawyers are often seen as entrepreneurs in the sense that they start their own practices, work with clients to manage legal risk, provide solutions to legal problems, and are driven to succeed in their careers. Additionally, lawyers must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to think critically and solve complex problems, making them well-suited for careers in the enterprising theme. They are required to have great skills in public speaking as well as a great deal of confidence as they need to present evidence and arguments for their clients.
What Does a Lawyer Do?
Working as a lawyer involves using legal knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills to provide advice and representation to clients. Lawyers often work in offices, law firms, government agencies, or courts. They may work long hours, including evenings and weekends, and often deal with clients who are under stress or facing difficult legal issues. They work to understand their client’s needs and goals and then use their legal expertise to develop a strategy to help their clients achieve their objectives. They also review and analyze legal documents, conduct research, and represent clients in court or other legal proceedings.
A Lawyer’s Day-to-Day Tasks and Tools
Depending on a lawyer’s area of expertise and the type of law they practice, they have a variety of tasks and duties daily. Lawyers typically meet with their clients first to discuss and address some legal issues and proceed to provide the best legal advice that suits their client’s cases. They gather information and do research for their cases in preparation for trials and legal proceedings. They are also in charge of negotiating settlements and agreements with the opposing counsel as well as filing legal documents that are needed for their case.
As stated by The Department of Labor, The Following Work Tasks are Most Often Completed by Lawyer:
- Distinguish implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
- Offer legal advice to clients.
- Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings.
- Meet claimants to get information related to legal proceedings.
- Connect with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues.
- Research relevant legal materials to aid decision-making.
- legal documents.
- Arbitrate disputes between parties to settle legal conflicts.
- Oversee activities of other legal personnel.
- Prepare documentation of legal proceedings.
- Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records.
- Draft legislation or regulations.
(Retrieved from O’netOnline.org. Lawyer Career. Career Code: 23-1011.00. Detailed Work Activities)
Core Activities for Lawyers:
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, the advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
- Study the Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
- Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.
(Retrieved from O’netOnline.org. Lawyer Career. Career Code: 23-1011.00. Tasks)
Lawyers use a range of tools and technologies to help them with their day-to-day work. These can include software for case management, document management, and research. They may also use legal research databases, online legal resources, and specialized legal software for areas such as patents, trademarks, or tax law. Additionally, lawyers use communication tools such as email, instant messaging, and videoconferencing to interact with clients, colleagues, and court officials. They also make use of presentation tools, such as PowerPoint or Prezi, for in-court or client presentations. These tools and technologies help lawyers to be more efficient and effective in their work and to better serve their clients.
Experience and Education
Becoming a lawyer involves a significant amount of education and training. The process typically starts with obtaining an undergraduate degree in a related field such as pre-law, political science, or criminal justice. After completing a bachelor’s degree, the next step is to attend law school, which is a three-year program that results in a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. While in law school, students will study a wide range of subjects, including contracts, torts, civil procedure, constitutional law, criminal law, and more. In addition to coursework, students will also participate in practical training such as moot court and mock trial competitions, which help to develop their legal research and analytical skills.
Once a student has earned their J.D., they must take and pass the bar examination to practice law in a particular state. The bar exam is a comprehensive, multi-day test that covers a range of legal subjects. After passing the bar, a lawyer must also complete continuing legal education (CLE) courses in order to maintain their license to practice law.
The path to becoming a lawyer is long and challenging, but the rewards can be substantial. Lawyers play a vital role in society, serving as advocates, advisors, and protectors of the rights of individuals, businesses, and organizations.
Salary and Wages
Lawyers are highly compensated professionals, with salaries that can vary greatly depending on the area of practice, location, years of experience, and other factors. On average, lawyers earn salaries in the range of $70,000 to $150,000 per year, with some earning much more. However, starting salaries for new lawyers can be lower, in the range of $50,000 to $80,000 per year.
To increase their salary, lawyers can take on additional clients, take on more complex or high-paying cases, or specialize in a high-demand area of law. They may also seek promotions to higher-paying positions within their firms or start their own firms. Some lawyers choose to earn additional income by teaching or writing about law, serving as expert witnesses, or consulting on legal matters.
Below are some employment trends for Lawyers:
- Median Salary: $61.54 hourly, $127,990 annually
- Employment: 833,100 employees
- Projected growth (2021-2031): Faster than average (8% to 10%)
- Projected job openings (2021-2031): 48,700
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References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections Onetonline.org