how much does the highest paid attorney make

by Prof. Tomasa Koelpin PhD 6 min read

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.
  • Immigration attorney: $84,000.
  • Estate attorney: $83,000.
  • Public Defender: $63,000.
Jun 7, 2022

Full Answer

Which attorneys make the most money?

Which type of law you specialize in

  • Medical Lawyers – $150,881 per year. If you can’t or don’t want to be a doctor, you can still make a good living in the medical field as a medical ...
  • IP Attorneys – $140,972 per year. ...
  • Trial Attorneys – $101,086 per year. ...
  • Tax Attorneys – $99,690 per year. ...
  • Corporate Lawyer – $98,822 per year. ...

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Trial lawyers are among the highest paid legal professionals in the world. Thousands practice across the globe, but civil litigators who handle high-dollar, high-profile and high-stakes cases are the most highly compensated. However, not all lawyers rake in high incomes. Many public interest lawyers and solo practitioners earn modest salaries.

Who are the 10 highest paid lawyers in the USA?

Top 10 Highest Paid Lawyers In The World

  1. Jose Baez
  2. Willie E. Gary Willie is a motivational speaker, who is an excellent attorney and businessman. ...
  3. John Branca John Branca is a name which you have seen in the newspapers, mostly around celebrity legal cases. ...
  4. Vernon Jordan Vernon Eulio Jordon Junior is a popular American lawyer, civil activist and a business activist. ...

More items...

How much do lawyers make starting off?

  • Legal services attorney: $48,000.
  • Public defenders: $58,300.
  • Local prosecuting attorneys: $56,200.
  • Public interest organizations: $50,300.

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As an attorney, how can I know if I am being paid fairly?

To find out about the appropriate salary for an attorney, please visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on...

How much do similar professions to attorney get paid?

Check the below Indeed career pages for the detailed pay ranges for the similar professions to an attorney here: Corporate Attorney Lawyer Associat...

How can licensed attorneys increase their salary?

Licensed attorneys can increase their salary by working long billable hours and eventually becoming a partner or shareholder with their firm. They...

What type of attorney gets paid the most?

Types of attorneys that get paid the most include: Medical Lawyers Intellectual Property (IP) Attorneys Trial Attorneys Tax Attorneys [Corporate La...

Do attorneys make good money?

Attorneys earn much less on average than what most people imagine they do. Even though top attorneys get high salaries, many attorneys earn a relat...

Do attorneys get paid hourly or salary?

Attorneys get paid both hourly and salary. This will depend on the type of case, the amount of research or court time involved and the length of ti...

Do paralegals working for attorneys get a salary or by the hour?

Paralegals working for attorneys can get paid a salary or an hourly rate depending on the firm they are working for.

Do attorneys get paid more if they win?

Yes, attorneys get paid more if they win a case. Attorneys get paid based on arrangements made between them and their clients such as getting paid...

Attorney Salaries By State

Without fail, in surveys across basically every demographic, the number one most important aspect of a job for most people is the salary — how much do attorneys get paid where I live?

How we determined attorney pay by state

As we mentioned earlier, we took the average annual salary data for attorneys from the 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics — specifically their “Occupational Employment Statistics”.

What factors can affect a lawyer's salary?

Some fields of law can provide a higher earning potential than others. Additionally, your overall experience practicing law and your education level are two more factors that can affect how much you can make as an attorney. Another important factor that can affect how much money you make as a lawyer is where you live. Some areas have a higher demand for specialized attorneys and may offer much higher salaries than what you'd find in other areas .

What is the job of a corporate attorney?

They are responsible for drafting legal documents, structuring transactions, negotiating business deals and ensuring agreement provisions, policies and legal compliance are unambiguous and consistent. Corporate attorneys are typically the legal professionals that ensure companies' operations are in compliance with related laws and regulations and that the implementation of certain business practices are within legal parameters and won't cause legal issues in the future.

What specialized fields are there for lawyers?

When considering a career in law, there are many focuses to consider. For instance, corporate lawyers work in the legal support of large companies and organizations while family law attorneys work with clients in divorce, custody and adoption cases. There are several more fields of law that you can specialize in as an attorney, including:

What does a patent attorney do?

Primary duties: Patent attorneys deal with similar cases as IP lawyers and paralegals do, however, patent attorneys deal specifically with the processes and legal implications surrounding patenting intellectual property. Typically, patent attorneys help inventors prepare, file and submit their patent applications. If another individual or entity tries to infringe upon a patent attorney's client's patent, the attorney assists the client in raising a lawsuit against them.

What are the duties of a civil litigation attorney?

Litigation attorneys will meet with and collect information and documentation from clients, whether plaintiffs or defendants. They'll also work with clients to prepare court and trial documents, draft pleadings and enter pleas. In serious cases, litigation attorneys may also appear in court to testify on behalf of their clients.

What is an employment law associate?

Employment law associates, or employment and labor lawyers, work with both employers and employees to provide support and counsel on the state and federal employment laws. These attorneys typically help employers ensure their workplaces are in compliance with these employment laws and that all employees are treated fairly and consistently. Additionally, employment lawyers will commonly represent employees in discrimination cases.

What is the job of a bankruptcy paralegal?

Primary duties: Bankruptcy paralegals and attorneys frequently work in public agencies, corporations and lending institutions where they prepare and file proofs of claims on behalf of their clients. These paralegals must understand financial laws and regulations regarding bankruptcy claims and they provide direct support to practicing attorneys in the preparation of financial documents, claim applications and additional documents their clients will need in a bankruptcy case.

How much should you be earning?

Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options. See more details

Do attorneys get paid more if they win a case?

Yes, attorneys get paid more if they win a case. Attorneys get paid based on arrangements made between them and their clients such as getting paid on contingency. Attorneys will get higher pay from a larger settlement.

Who is the best lawyer in the world?

1. Jose Baez. He is the best attorney in the world, who got the media attention when he worked as a lead attorney in Casey Anthony’s murder case, which gained him international attention over night. He has fought in some of the most popular criminal cases which include Wilfredo Vazquez and Elvira Garcia.

What is the role of a lawyer in a case?

A successful and practical lawyer can decide the fate of the case in a single hearing. We all live under certain set of rules and regulations, which have been implemented by our family, culture, or by the law of the country we live in. These laws are set everywhere, around the world, which are a mandatorily to be obeyed by everyone.

How much is Benjamin worth?

He started off his career in a Law firm named Venable LLP, which is based in Washington DC. His net worth is currently estimated to be around $300,000. He has also served as US Deputy Attorney General and the 73rd Attorney General of the state. Currently he is 81 years old but still can help you win any case in a single hearing. He is amongst the oldest and most respected lawyers in the world.

How much is Albert worth?

The lawyer has a track record of winning majority of his cases, with a winning ratio of 99.43%. He is known for charging a good lump sum per hour charge for his precious time with his clients. His total net worth is estimated to be around $320,000.

How much is John Branca worth?

He completed his Law from UCLA School of Law. Currently the celebrity lawyer has a total net worth of over $50 million. He has specialised in the entertainment business, and has worked for stars like Michael Jackson, Beach Boys, Santana, Aerosmith, Rolling Stone etc. His clients also include Forbes Magazine, Playboy and Penthouse magazine. He is amongst the most popular celebrity lawyer who is trusted by majority of the entertainment industry.

What Is the Lawyer Salary by Place of Employment?

The top-paying industries with the highest average annual salaries for this career are specialized design services ($233,400); computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing ($221,000); motion picture and video industries ($218,360); cable and other subscription programming ($216,860); and navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing ($208,460).

How much do lawyers make?

Lawyers made a median salary of $122,960 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $186,350 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $80,950.

Which state pays the highest salary to a lawyer?

The states and districts that pay Lawyers the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($192,180), California ($173,970), New York ($168,780), Massachusetts ($164,800), and Illinois ($157,010).

What is the job of assistant city attorney?

Assistant City Attorney PURPOSE OF THE CLASSIFICATION: Provides legal advice and representation; drafts and administers a variety of contracts for which the City is a party; conducts significant and ...

Which state pays the most lawyers?

Best-Paying States for Lawyers. The states and districts that pay Lawyers the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($192,180), California ($173,970), New York ($168,780), Massachusetts ($164,800), and Illinois ($157,010).

How much is Judge Judy worth?

Net Worth: $440 million. Judge Judith Sheindlin, television’s beloved “Judge Judy,” has come a long way from her days as a family court judge. She raked in a cooll $47 million for the latest season of her small-claims court show. Her outspoken persona has made her one of the highest-paid women on daytime television.

How much is John Branca worth?

He has also donated substantial sums to his alma mater and other black universities in the US. 7. John Branca. Net Worth: $100 million. John Branca, born in Bronxville, New York, is one of the richest lawyers practicing entertainment law today. He moved to Los Angeles at age 11 and has lived there since.

Is Shapiro a lawyer?

In addition, Shapiro has also starred as himself and as a lawyer on both television and the big screen.

Are you a lawyer that wants to get rich?

If you’re a lawyer earning a normal salary and you want to build wealth, then you’re going to need to learn about personal finance, investing, student loans and the other topics we cover on Biglaw Investor. The easiest way to get started is to download our free budget template.

How does experience affect your salary as an attorney?

Some areas of law are more likely to provide you with a high salary than others. For example, your years of professional experience practising law and your education level are two factors that can affect how much you might make as an attorney. Another important factor affecting how much money you make as a lawyer is where you live. In some regions, there is a greater demand for attorneys with specific skills which may lead to higher salaries.

What is the job of a lawyer?

Primary duties: A lawyer represents clients in legal cases and provides legal advice before, during, and after court proceedings. Their job can involve reviewing evidence to develop an argument to use in court, preparing documents like plea agreements and witness statements, and arguing cases in court during trials and hearings. Lawyers can serve multiple clients at a time, and they often work at law firms or organizations as in-house counsel.

What is the job of a patent attorney?

Primary duties: A patent attorney helps clients secure patents for inventions or other types of new products. Patent attorneys can prepare paperwork that describes the product their client wants to protect with a patent, submit applications for patents to the necessary agencies, and review proposed patents for their clients to ensure they're unique from all other existing patents. A patent attorney can also represent clients in courtroom proceedings, like hearings or trials, and during cases that revolve around intellectual property or patent disputes.

What is the job of an attorney at law?

Primary duties: An attorney at law, sometimes called a trial lawyer, counsels and represents their clients' legal rights in civil and criminal cases. Attorneys at law can have varying responsibilities depending on who they represent. Still, their duties can include helping clients in pre-trial counsel, preparing legal documents to be used in court and pleadings, and appearing in court to represent clients during trials and hearings. An attorney at law can work for a law firm, but many choose to open their own independent private law practices.

What does an employment lawyer do?

Primary duties: An employment lawyer represents employers or employees during court cases that focus on events or topics in a specific workplace or at a particular company. Employment lawyers can share information with employees to ensure they know their rights, help employers verify that their work operations adhere to laws and regulations, and prepare clients for legal events, such as mediations or negotiations. An employment lawyer typically works for either employers or employees, but most have knowledge that allows them to take on cases from either group.

What is the job of a personal injury lawyer?

Primary duties: A personal injury lawyer takes on cases for people who experience injuries that they aren't personally responsible for, such as an accident at a business place. Personal injury lawyers can research a product or location to determine how it might be responsible for a client's injury, gather insurance information from both parties in an accident, and negotiate settlements for their clients. Many personal injury lawyers represent clients who get injured during automobile accidents, where they can use evidence to prove who's responsible for the incident.

What is the job of a legal manager?

Primary duties: A legal manager offers legal advice to a company or another type of organization. Legal managers can prepare drafts of new contracts for executives to review and sign, organize and distribute regulatory documents so a company adheres to regulations that pertain to its industry and provide legal guidance during proceedings that a company might take part in, such as a merger or lawsuit. As their job typically involves working with companies, legal managers usually have extensive knowledge of business law and other important aspects of business, such as project management and billing.

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Specialized Fields For Lawyers

  • 90th Percentile(Dollar)
  • 10th Percentile(Dollar)
  • Average Attorney Salary(Dollar)
State157,000165,000167,000178,000197,000199,00064,00066,00069,00075,00080,00085,000101,074105,281107,945115,902125,659130,648New JerseyVirginiaConnecticutMassachusettsCaliforniaNew York025K50K75K100K125K150K175K200K
Average Attorney Salary(Dollar),10th Percentile(Dollar),90th Percentile(Dollar)

Factors That Affect Lawyers' Salaries

STATEAVERAGE ATTORNEY SALARY10TH PERCENTILE90TH PERCENTILE
New York$130,648$85,000$199,000
California$125,659$80,000$197,000
Massachusetts$115,902$75,000$178,000
Connecticut$107,945$69,000$167,000
Virginia$105,281$66,000$165,000
New Jersey$101,074$64,000$157,000
New Mexico$101,051$62,000$164,000
Delaware$100,929$64,000$157,000
See all 50 rows on www.zippia.com

11 of The Highest-Paying Lawyers

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When pursuing a career in law, there are many focuses to consider. For instance, corporate lawyersprovide legal support to large companies and organizations while family law attorneys work with clients in divorce, custody and adoption cases. Other fields of law you can specialize in as an attorney include: 1. Corporate and b…
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