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Lawyers have the versatility of working in various environments – large law firms, corporations and government agencies and even starting their own private practices can all provide opportunities.
In this article we’ll investigate where lawyers work – from top law firms and local and international offices, to public policy agencies and think tanks.
Private practice is often chosen by new lawyers as their preferred career option, offering flexibility, variety and prestige as well as potentially higher incomes than working for government agencies or non-profit organizations.
Private law firms usually include paralegals, legal assistants and other support staff in addition to lawyers. Lawyers frequently work alongside them when conducting legal research, drafting documents or preparing for client meetings. Sometimes the firm will bill clients according to an hourly rate, contingency fee or lump sum payment option.
Entry-level lawyers usually assist senior Lawyers with foundational aspects of their practice and manage small, routine matters under supervision. Mid-level Lawyers may take on greater managerial responsibilities and address more complex legal matters. Senior Lawyers may be designated partners, providing greater earnings potential and decision making power within the firm. A two-tier partnership structure also exists; this provides for greater earning potential without risk of financial instability.
Government lawyers work at the local, state or federal levels representing specific branches of government. A government lawyer’s day-to-day work often includes dealing with high-ranking political officials as well as court personnel and public citizens – often including court hearings or interactions requiring representation before high-profile government figures.
Government attorneys engage in various legal activities ranging from litigation and regulatory drafting, policy development and prosecution of crimes to representing criminal defendants in court proceedings. Attorneys at the Department of Justice for instance often prosecute as well as defend individuals accused of criminal conduct.
People interested in government work may also pursue careers as advisers to administrative bodies, executive, or legislative offices. Such roles often require extensive knowledge in certain subject matter or an understanding of government procedures.
Given the unique requirements of this type of lawyer work, many agencies provide paid fellowships or honors programs to enable students to experience various aspects of law without making full-time commitments. If individuals opt to remain employees of government bodies they are known as General Schedule employees with promotion potential depending on grade and performance.
Nonprofit lawyers operate at the intersection of charity and justice, working to advance social causes. Attorneys working in nonprofits typically receive lower pay; however, working as part of such organizations provides an excellent way of gaining hands-on experience while expanding legal skills. While some attorneys volunteer their services directly for such causes, others may take advantage of internships or public interest fellowships available within such organizations.
Lawyers working with nonprofit organizations provide valuable services in terms of transactions, tax issues and other business-related matters. Furthermore, they can advise clients on policy, procedures and operating programs as well as provide ongoing general counsel and advise about risk to nonprofits.
The Lawyers Alliance for New York provides business and transactional legal services to over 700 nonprofit organizations throughout New York State. Their program priorities include community arts, economic opportunity, housing and human services, quality education and urban development. Their service includes advice and counsel regarding internal contracts that comply with New York state laws as well as providing advice regarding special rules for tax-exempt organizations.
As in-house counsel, lawyers that serve a private business are known as in-house counsel. This area of law work can be particularly demanding since lawyers must handle various legal issues including employment matters, policy implementation and taxes as well as providing general advice for various situations that arise within their companies as well as managing outside firms that provide legal work services to these same organizations.
Lawyers working in this capacity often put in long hours and may experience high levels of stress when preparing for trial proceedings or other time-sensitive matters.
Lawyers can select their work setting based on their interests, desired career path and current skill set. Each setting offers its own set of benefits and challenges; carefully consider your options until you find the one best suited to you; this might mean working for private practice firms, government bodies, social policy agencies or business organizations.