what kind of attorney is the highest paid

by Quincy Koch 4 min read

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial attorneys: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.
Dec 14, 2021

Who are the 10 highest paid lawyers in the USA?

Jan 20, 2022 · Patent attorney: $180,000; Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000; Trial lawyer: $134,000 (remember, this is average; trial lawyers especially can be sink-or-swim) Tax attorney: $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: …

Which lawyers make the most money?

Nov 30, 2020 · Many people assume that the highest-paid lawyers are corporate lawyers. While corporate lawyers can earn millions of dollars, personal injury lawyers, criminal lawyers, and lawyers in other areas of law can also earn millions of dollars. It may surprise you to learn that the average salary for lawyers in the United States during 2019 was $122,960 per year.

Which type of lawyer makes the most money?

Jun 25, 2020 · The starting salary for a corporate attorney can range from $30,000 to over $100,000, depending on experience and the type of industry. The average salary of a corporate attorney is approximately $165,000. Patent and Intellectual Property Attorneys

What are the highest paid types of lawyers?

Oct 27, 2021 · What Kind of Lawyer Makes the Most Money? Medical Attorneys. Medical lawyers are among the highest paid types of lawyers and earn one of the highest median... Intellectual Property Attorneys. Attorneys specializing in intellectual property (IP) deal with patents, trademarks, and... Tax Lawyers. ...

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How does a lawyer make money?

Numerous factors impact the salary a lawyer might earn. Some of the common factors that affect a lawyer’s salary include: 1 The number of years the attorney has been in practice 2 The law school where the attorney attended 3 The type of law the lawyer chooses to practice 4 Whether the attorney chooses private practice or to work in the public sector 5 The geographical location where the attorney practices 6 Any specialized skills, education, or certifications the attorney holds 7 Whether the attorney chooses to open his own practice or join a large law firm

What does a criminal lawyer do?

Criminal Law. Lawyers practicing criminal law represent individuals under investigation for a crime or who have been arrested for a crime. There is room for a huge difference in salaries depending on the type of criminal cases the attorney handles.

What is the job of a general counsel?

The general counsel for a corporation handles everything from contracts and employment law to corporate structure, intellectual law, and litigation. In many cases, a general counsel oversees other attorneys and outside counsel.

How much do lawyers make?

It may surprise you to learn that the average salary for lawyers in the United States during 2019 was $122,960 per year. The American Bar Association states that lawyers earn an average of $144,230 per year. The fact is that most attorneys earn a modest living. Their passion for the law and helping people in need are the things ...

What is personal injury?

It includes almost any case that involves a person injured because of another party’s negligence, errors, or wrongdoing. It also covers cases in which another person wrongfully kills a person. Personal injury cases can include, but are not limited to:

What do bankruptcy attorneys do?

Attorneys who handle bankruptcy matters assist individuals and companies in filing for bankruptcy relief. They may also work with creditors to file claims in bankruptcy cases. Because bankruptcy law is a specialized area of law, bankruptcy attorneys working with large Chapter 11 corporate cases can earn large salaries.

What is the area of law that is in high demand?

Family law is another area of law that is in high demand. It covers all matters related to divorce, including custody, property division, and domestic support. Family law also includes martial agreements and paternity questions.

How do attorneys make money?

Even within specialties, attorneys can make different amounts of money. The income of an attorney depends on numerous different factors, including: 1 Geographic region—Attorneys who practice in major metropolitan areas tend to make more money than those practicing in small towns and rural communities. 2 Size of the law firm—Some lawyers never join a firm and instead go into solo practice. While this allows the most personal freedom, it often results in lower pay. Other attorneys choose to work for big law firms, some of which may employ hundreds of attorneys around the country or the globe. 3 Skill and experience—Like any career, an attorney’s income will depend on their skillset and experience. No matter how talented, a first-year associate will not make a comparable salary to a partner in a large firm. 4 Education—Not all law schools are created equally, and the potential for higher earnings comes with more prestigious schools.

Why do lawyers choose to practice law?

Many lawyers choose the legal field because of a genuine desire to help others. Other attorneys practice law because they genuinely want to serve justice.

What is IP law?

IP attorneys specialize in patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The high earning potential in this field arises because of the explosive growth of intellectual property. These attorneys practice in a fast-paced field, requiring them to keep up with quickly evolving laws and procedures. They work in large firms or in-house for big tech and big pharma, on the frontlines of protecting intellectual property from infringement.

What are the skills required to be a trial attorney?

Trial Attorneys. Trial attorneys must have an excellent grasp of procedural law and have a responsibility to stay abreast of trends and changes in an ever-evolving field. Excellent oral communication skills are a must for success, and the art of persuasive speaking cannot be overstated.

What does an attorney do for tax?

Attorneys that specialize in tax law usually represent organizations when dealing with federal, state, and local taxing agencies. Corporations and large companies pay enormous amounts for attorneys skilled in tax laws to protect their assets and create a tax savings plan.

What is the job of a medical attorney?

Many attorneys in this field specialize in representing hospitals and medical corporations. Others handle medical malpractice claims or personal injuries.

What does a corporate lawyer do?

Corporate lawyers provide clients with counsel on business transactions, acquisitions and mergers, the sale of businesses, and legal advice on running a corporation. Contract preparation and review is one hallmark of a corporate lawyer, ensuring that the contract’s language is favorable to their client.

Personal Injury Lawyers

At or very near the top of the list of highest-paid types of lawyers are personal injury lawyers. In the personal injury niche, lawyers specialize in representing individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of another party.

Patent Lawyers

Another of the highest-paid types of lawyers are patent lawyers. Patent lawyers are in high demand as it requires a unique skill set in order to be able to do the job effectively. Usually, in addition to having a law degree, skilled patent lawyers will have a background in engineering.

Corporate Lawyers

Corporate lawyers work with large companies advising them, defending them when they are in potential legal trouble, and helping them navigate the complex legal waters of mergers and acquisitions.

Tax Attorneys

Another type of attorney that works closely with companies—and is paid well for doing so—is a tax attorney. Tax attorneys prepare tax documents and advise companies on how to comply with the enormous U.S. tax code. Because the work is so complex and challenging, tax attorneys command high annual salaries.

Choosing the Right Lawyer

No matter what legal matter you are dealing with, you don’t always need to choose the highest-paid lawyer. Instead, you should search for the right lawyer. A good lawyer is one that has plenty of experience, communicates well, and is surrounded by a strong support team.

What is corporate law?

Corporate lawyer s focus on a variety of matters related to corporations and business law. Attorneys for corporations may handle contracts, acquisitions, employment matters, regulatory compliance, tax issues, and business litigation.

How much do personal injury lawyers make?

However, if you look at other sources, the average salary for a personal injury lawyer is only $73,000 per year.

What does an attorney do with patents?

Attorneys who handle patent and IP law help individuals protect sensitive, confidential, and protected materials, ideas, and inventions. Patent and IP law is a specialized area of law. Therefore, attorneys can earn higher annual incomes.

How much do criminal defense lawyers make?

High-profile criminal defense lawyers can earn millions of dollars each year. However, most criminal defense lawyers earn an average of $115,000 per year. Criminal lawyers assist individuals in preparing defenses and protecting their legal rights after being charged with a crime.

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Criminal Law

Bankruptcy Law

Family Law

  • Family law is another area of law that is in high demand. It covers all matters related to divorce, including custody, property division, and domestic support. Family law also includes martial agreements and paternity questions. As of August 2021, the average Family Law Attorney salary is $85,716, but the range typically falls between $73,078 and $99,149. Salary ranges can vary wi…
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Immigration Law

  • When it comes to types of private practice lawyers that make the most compensation, immigration lawyers round up the bottom of the list, according to labor statistics. Immigration lawyers are people who work in the field of helping citizens obtain legal documentation of their current status in the United States. On average, a salary for an immigration lawyer rests around …
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Civil Rights Lawyer

  • A person that focuses on cases that revolve around things like equality, social freedom, human rights, and discrimination are civil rights lawyers. Often, they handle cases where citizens are put under scrutiny for things they cannot control—the color of their skin, sexual orientation, etc. The…
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Personal Injury Lawyer

  • How much money personal injury lawyersmade in the United States during 2019 was $122,960 per year, according to the American Bar Association. Personal injury attorneys have a positive job outlook, but the future growth in wages is about the same as other comparable industries. Therefore, a personal injury lawyer can expect to earn somewhere between the low end of the av…
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Salaries For Other Types of Lawyers

  1. Tax Attorneys / Tax Lawyers- The average salary for Tax Lawyers with extensive tax laws knowledge is $88,863 an year.
  2. IP Lawyers, IP Attorneys- The average Intellectual Property Attorney salary is $174,562 as of August 27, 2021, but the range for intellectual property lawyers typically falls between $158,390 and $...
  1. Tax Attorneys / Tax Lawyers- The average salary for Tax Lawyers with extensive tax laws knowledge is $88,863 an year.
  2. IP Lawyers, IP Attorneys- The average Intellectual Property Attorney salary is $174,562 as of August 27, 2021, but the range for intellectual property lawyers typically falls between $158,390 and $...
  3. Medical Lawyers - Salaries as high as $155,331 and as low as $20,154, the majority of Medical Lawyersalaries currently range between $31,950 (25th percentile) to $83,563 (75th percentile) with top...
  4. Real Estate Lawyers- The average Real Estate Attorney salary in the United States is $152,863 as of August 27, 2021, but the range typically falls between $133,300 and $169,371, includin…