Lawyer
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Background –
The main duty of a lawyer is to work as an advocate and advisor of the individuals or groups of individuals that you represent in legal issues or disputes. Attorneys (lawyers) advise their clients in court, and communicate with their clients, judges, and others involved in the case. They may do research on the legal issues in the case, interpret the laws, and present the findings in both a written and verbal way.
What specializations are possible for lawyers? Environmental law, tax law, intellectual property law, family law, securities law, immigration law, estate planning law, and many others, including criminal law.
What is the median salary for someone working as a lawyer? $118,610*
What classes may be helpful to prepare me for a career as an attorney? Discuss with your advisor which courses among those on this list, along with other courses not listed here, would best serve your career goals.
- PSY 355 – Ecological and Cultural Variables
- PSY 360 – Social Psychology
- CJ 302 – Criminal Law
- CJ 330 – Correctional Process
- CJ 444 – Forensic Behavior and Law
- CJ 482 – Culture, Crime and Law
What additional education is required? After your bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a J.D. (Juris Doctorate Degree) is required to practice law. It usually takes about 3 years to complete the J.D.
What skills are applicable to have in this career field? Oral & written comprehension and expression abilities, speech clarity (communication), active listening skills, negotiation skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills are required.
Employer Possibilities –The majority of attorneys are employed by private legal service agencies. Other possibilities include governmental agencies and self-employment.
*Bls.gov (2016) median annual salary