L AW AND PUBLIC

S AFETY
My career cluster.

L AWYER

CAREER DESCRIPTION
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and
other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents,
and manage or advise clients on legal transactions.
May specialize in a single area or may practice
broadly in many areas of law.

TASKS OF A L AWYER
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and
other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents,
and manage or advise clients on legal transactions.
May specialize in a single area or may practice
broadly in many areas of law.

INTERESTS
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve

working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking.

Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with

forms, designs and patterns.

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve

starting up and carrying out projects.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve

following set procedures and routines.

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).

KNOWLEDGE

Economics and Accounting

Sales and Marketing Mathematics

Psychology
Administration and Management
Clerical
Personnel and Human Resources
Computers and Electronics
Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Law and Government

SKILLS
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making

NATURE OF WORK
Lawyers advise and represent individuals,
businesses, and government agencies on legal issues
and disputes.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The majority of lawyers work in private and
corporate legal offices. Some work for local, state,
and federal governments. The majority work full time,
and many work long hours.

JOB OUTLOOK
Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 10
percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the
average for all occupations. Competition for jobs
should continue to be strong because more students
graduate from law school each year than there are
jobs available.

EARNINGS
The median annual wage for lawyers was $113,530
in May 2012

PA RA L E G A L A N D L E G A L A S S I S TA N T S

CAREER DESCRIPTION
Assist lawyers by researching legal precedent,
investigating facts, or preparing legal documents.
Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to
formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

TASKS
Prepare legal documents, including briefs,
pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real
estate closing statements.

Prepare affidavits or other documents,

maintain document file, and file pleadings

with court clerk.

Gather and analyze research data, such

as statutes, decisions, and legal articles,

INTEREST
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently
involve working with ideas, and require an extensive
amount of thinking.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently
involve starting up and carrying out projects.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently
involve following set procedures and routines.

EDUCATION
Education - Most occupations in this zone require
training in vocational schools, related on-the-job
experience, or an associate's degree.

KNOWLEDGE
Customer and Personal Service
quality standards for services, and
Mathematics
Computers and Electronics
English Language
Law and Government

SKILLS
Not published

NATURE OF WORK
Paralegals and legal assistants do a variety of tasks
to support lawyers, including maintaining and
organizing files, conducting legal research, and
drafting documents.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all
types of organizations, but most work for law firms,
corporate legal departments, and government
agencies. They usually work full time, and overtime is
sometimes needed to meet deadlines.

JOB OUTLOOK
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is
projected to grow 17 percent from 2012 to 2022,
faster than the average for all occupations. This
occupation attracts many applicants, and competition
for jobs will be strong. Experienced, formally trained
paralegals with strong computer and database
management skills should have the best job
prospects.

EARNINGS
The median annual wage for paralegals and legal
assistants was $46,990 in May 2012.

J U D G E S . , M A G I S T R AT E J U D G E S , A N D
M A G I S T R AT E S

CAREER DESCRIPTION
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice
in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal
cases according to government statutes. May
determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May
issue marriage licenses and perform wedding
ceremonies.

TASKS
Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts

from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.

Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury,

according to applicable government statutes.

Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and

procedures are followed.

Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding

conduct, issues, and proceedings.

Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.

INTERESTS
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve

working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking.

Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with,

communicating with, and teaching people.

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve

starting up and carrying out projects.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve

following set procedures and routines.

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).

KNOWLEDGE
Clerical
Computers and Electronics
Mathematics
Philosophy and Theology
Administration and Management
Personnel and Human Resources
Sociology and Anthropology
Therapy and Counseling
Education and Training
Customer and Personal Service
Public Safety and Security
Psychology
Law and Government
English Language

SKILLS
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring Social Perceptiveness
Complex Problem Solving

NATURE OF WORK
Judges and hearing officers apply the law by
overseeing the legal process in courts. They also
conduct pretrial hearings, resolve administrative
disputes, facilitate negotiations between opposing
parties, and issue legal decisions

WORKING CONDITIONS
All judges and hearing officers are employed by
local, state, and federal governments. Most work in
courts. The majority work full time.

JOB OUTLOOK
Not published

EARNINGS
The median annual income of a
judge/magistrate/magistrate judge is $40,300 to
$142,400.

WAGE COMPARISON

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