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Corporate Lawyers


Overview

Introduction

Corporate lawyers, sometimes known as corporation lawyers or attorneys, corporate counsels, and general counsels, advise corporations concerning their legal rights, obligations, and privileges. They study constitutions, statutes, previous decisions, ordinances, and decisions of quasi-judicial bodies that are applicable to corporations. They advise corporations on the pros and cons of prosecuting or defending a lawsuit. They act as agents of the corporation in various business transactions and seek...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$150,000

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

Law Degree


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Experience

Experience as a law intern or clerk is highly recommended


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Skills

Financial
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Personality Traits

Enterprising
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Earnings

Robert Half Legal, a national staffing firm, reports that first-year associate lawyers earned salaries that ranged from $61,500 to $134,000 in 2020, depending on the size of their firm. Corporate lawyers with zero to three years of experience earned salaries that ranged from $67,750 to $176,500; with four to nine years of experience, $80,750 to $199,000; and with 10 or more years of experience,...

Work Environment

Corporate lawyers typically work in comfortable, well-lit offices. Those employed at large companies typically have the use of top-of-the-line technology and office equipment, as well as the support of a team of paralegals, legal secretaries, and administrative professionals. Work hours are typically 9 to 5, although some evening and weekend work may be required.

Lawyers involved in liti...

Outlook

Employment for lawyers is expected to grow by 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job prospects for corporate lawyers should be even better. Robert Half Legal, a national staffing firm, identifies general business/corporate law as an in-demand practice area. It reports that “corporate legal departments are expanding to support new business activ...