What Kind of Lawyer Should You Be? A Look at Four Legal Fields

Jaafar Sadeq, Staff Writer

Photo//Usalaw

Graduating out of law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, you are given many options on what type of lawyer you would want to be. While all options are related to the law, they can significantly vary in their day-to-day tasks and content.

This article will review four of the most popular types of law, reviewing what you would do and the general salaries in the field. 

Starting off with possibly one of the most well known types of lawyers, criminal lawyers deal with people being charged with crimes, and their role is to defend them in court. Their responsibilities consist of meeting with clients and advising them, interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence, and negotiating deals with prosecutors for reduced charges or sentences for their clients. Entry level criminal lawyers make around $50k-$70k, while those who are more experienced and have a reputation could make $100k-$150k. 

Next up are business, or corporate lawyers. These lawyers work with companies on a wide range of legal matters, often focusing on transactions rather than litigation. Their tasks typically include drafting and reviewing contracts, ensuring that business practices are in line with regulations, handling mergers and acquisitions of companies, and advising companies on their legal rights and responsibilities.

While they may occasionally appear in court, most of their work happens behind the scenes in offices and boardrooms. Entry level corporate lawyers often earn upwards of $200k, especially in larger firms or major cities (known as Biglaw), while seasoned lawyers with years of experience can easily make much more, particularly if they make partner at a firm or work in-house for a major corporation. However, this high compensation comes with the trade-off of being one of the more demanding fields, with some of the highest hours of work required. 

Personal injury lawyers, on the other hand, work with clients who claim to have been injured physically or psychologically due to someone else’s negligence. These lawyers often take on cases involving car accidents, slip and falls, or medical malpractice. Their work involves meeting with clients, investigating claims, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing clients in court if a settlement cannot be reached.

One distinct feature of this field is that many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win the case. Because of this, earnings can vary widely, but successful personal injury lawyers can make anywhere from $70k to over $250k per year, possibly higher, depending on the number and size of the cases they win.

Lastly, real estate lawyers focus on legal issues surrounding property transactions. They help clients buy, sell, or lease residential and commercial real estate, ensuring that contracts are legally sound and that the transaction goes smoothly. They may also handle zoning issues, property disputes, and title examinations. Much of their work involves drafting documents, conducting due diligence, and communicating with real estate agents, lenders, and other parties involved in the deal.

Entry level real estate lawyers typically earn around $60k-$90k, with experienced lawyers in this field making anywhere between $100k and $160k, especially if they operate in high-value markets or have a steady client base.

Each path offers a unique experience in the legal field, and your choice may ultimately depend on whether you prefer the fast-paced intensity of the courtroom, the strategic thinking behind business transactions, the human element of personal injury work, or the structured nature of real estate law.

In terms of success, your individual performance in the field matters more than the field itself, as results can vary significantly depending on how well you do in that field. Regardless of the path you choose, each type plays an important role in the legal system and offers many opportunities for both personal and professional growth.