What is a Lawyer? Lawyers are both advocates and advisors. Lawyers are both advocates and advisors. They help solve--or prevent--legal problems for their clients They help solve--or prevent--legal problems for their clients represent either the plaintiff (the party filing the lawsuit) or the defendant (the party defending the lawsuit) represent either the plaintiff (the party filing the lawsuit) or the defendant (the party defending the lawsuit) Also known as an “attorney,” “counselor,” “solicitor,” “barrister” or “advocate,” Also known as an “attorney,” “counselor,” “solicitor,” “barrister” or “advocate,” Licensed by a State(s) to engage in the practice of law and advise clients on legal matters. Licensed by a State(s) to engage in the practice of law and advise clients on legal matters.

Lawyers…. The Career Path

The Skills of Lawyers Certain basic legal skills are required of all lawyers. Certain basic legal skills are required of all lawyers. Excellent Literacy Skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening Excellent Literacy Skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening Analyze legal issues in the context of the applicable Law AND the direction in which the Law is headed Analyze legal issues in the context of the applicable Law AND the direction in which the Law is headed Advocate the views of groups and individuals within the context of the legal system Advocate the views of groups and individuals within the context of the legal system Counsel clients on the law's requirements Counsel clients on the law's requirements Analyze evidence and present arguments to Court as to why a particular outcome is desirable. Analyze evidence and present arguments to Court as to why a particular outcome is desirable. Negotiate effectively Negotiate effectively

Where American Lawyers Work… 74% of American lawyers are in private practice, 74% of American lawyers are in private practice, most in small, one-person offices and some in large firms. most in small, one-person offices and some in large firms. 8% % of American lawyers work for local, state and federal government agencies 8% % of American lawyers work for local, state and federal government agencies 9% of American lawyers work for private industries and associations as their lawyers 9% of American lawyers work for private industries and associations as their lawyers 1% of American lawyers work as public defenders 1% of American lawyers work as public defenders 1% of American lawyers work in education 1% of American lawyers work in education 1% of American lawyers work in the Judicial Branch of Federal Government in D.C. 1% of American lawyers work in the Judicial Branch of Federal Government in D.C. About 5% are retired or inactive About 5% are retired or inactive

Becoming a Lawyer 1. Complete your bachelor’s degree 4 year undergraduate degree 4 year undergraduate degree Any Major, but many lawyers major in Pre-Law or Political Science Any Major, but many lawyers major in Pre-Law or Political Science 2. Graduate from Law School is a three year program is a three year program (four years or more if you attend part-time) (four years or more if you attend part-time) 3. Pass the Bar Exam of your State to become Licensed a written examination a written examination

The Law School Admissions test (LSAT) is a law school entrance exam administered four times a year at hundreds of locations. is a law school entrance exam administered four times a year at hundreds of locations. This half-day test provides a standard measure of reading and verbal reasoning skills. This half-day test provides a standard measure of reading and verbal reasoning skills. Law schools use the LSAT score as one of several factors in assessing law school applicants. Law schools use the LSAT score as one of several factors in assessing law school applicants.

Best Law Schools, according to US News and World Report 1. Yale University 2. Harvard University 3. Stanford University 4. Columbia University 5. University of Chicago 6. New York University 7. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 8. University of Penn 9. University of California—Berkeley 10. University of Virginia

Some Specialty Areas within a Law Degree 1. Family Law 2. Probate 3. Consumer Rights 4. International Law 5. Dispute Resolution 6. Legal Writing 7. Healthcare Law 8. Environmental Law 9. Intellectual Property Law: patents, trademarks, copyrights 10. Tax Law 11. Civil Rights 12. Employment 13. Real Estate 14. Personal Injury 15. Business Law 16. Children’s Advocacy and Rights Law 17. Bankruptcy 18. Sports and Entertainment 19. Ecommerce and Cyberspace Laws 20. Public Defense 21. Prosecutors and District Attorneys – work the State or Federal government

Salaries varies greatly depending on a lawyer’s practice setting, geographic location, demand for that specialty varies greatly depending on a lawyer’s practice setting, geographic location, demand for that specialty The median annual earnings of all lawyers in 2011 were $114,930 The median annual earnings of all lawyers in 2011 were $114,930 While starting salaries for private practice attorneys in large Cities, such as Philly, Boston and New York range from $135,000 to $160,000, While starting salaries for private practice attorneys in large Cities, such as Philly, Boston and New York range from $135,000 to $160,000, attorneys in the public sector, such as public defenders and district attorneys, earn much less attorneys in the public sector, such as public defenders and district attorneys, earn much less

Job Outlook in 2012 Employment of lawyers is expected to grow 13% during the decade Employment of lawyers is expected to grow 13% during the decade Growth in the population and in the level of business activity is expected to create more: Growth in the population and in the level of business activity is expected to create more: legal transactions, civil disputes, and criminal cases. legal transactions, civil disputes, and criminal cases. Most demand in: Most demand in: healthcare, intellectual property, bankruptcy, corporate litigation, and environmental law. healthcare, intellectual property, bankruptcy, corporate litigation, and environmental law.

Activity Find 3 Law Schools that offer your specialty area of personal interest Find 3 Law Schools that offer your specialty area of personal interest Select and research the 3 specialties Select and research the 3 specialties Job Responsibilities Job Responsibilities Outlook / Demand Outlook / Demand

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Honda Loses Lawsuit

Who you Gonna Call?? Worksheet Let’s Listen! Let’s Listen! ersist_safety_mode=1 ersist_safety_mode=1 ersist_safety_mode=1 ersist_safety_mode=1 Complete Handout Complete Handout