Definition of Corporate Attorney

Corporate lawyers are paid very well.

The world of business is a complicated one, often requiring the skills of trained lawyers. Corporate attorneys are those who specialize in understanding the laws and regulations that apply to the corporate environment. These lawyers can be found wherever the legal and corporate world interact.

Duties

Corporate attorneys, like other lawyers, serve their clients by applying their knowledge and understanding of the law to further their client's needs. Where other attorney may work for individuals, corporate attorneys often work for corporations or law firms that serve corporations, and are charged with furthering the legal needs of these entities. Because corporate law can involve almost any area of the law, from taxes to criminal defense, corporate attorneys can be responsible for a wide range of duties. These lawyers can serve as legal advisers to executives, draft corporate policies, oversee hiring procedures, ensure compliance with relevant laws, and do anything else where an understanding of the law is required.

License

Corporate attorneys must be licensed to practice law in at least one state like any other attorney. These professionals typically go through four years of college plus three years of law school before they can practice law. After graduating law school, they must pass the bar exam of the state in which they wish to practice. Some corporate attorney need to be a member of the bar in multiple states, especially if they work for a company that has a national presence.

Specialization

Corporate lawyers can specialize in a wide range of areas. For example, some focus solely on tax issues, while others may focus on reviewing documents or drafting contracts. Some corporate attorneys can spend all their time in an office environment and never see a courtroom, while those that specialize in corporate litigation can spend all of their time preparing for trials and participating in negotiations and courtroom hearings.

Employers

Corporate attorneys can work for a wide range of employers, ranging from law firms to corporations to government agencies. Corporate attorneys that work for law firms or corporations can focus on any aspect of corporate law, while those working for government agencies typically specialize in regulatory law or aid legislatures in drafting and researching laws.

Jobs and Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for attorneys are expected to grow about as fast as the average from 2008 to 2018. These professionals earned an average of about $85,940 to $165,286 per year in 2010, according to Payscale.com. Like other professions, salaries can vary widely based on experience, specialty and employer.

References

• Payscale.com: Salary Snapshot for Corporate Attorney Jobs
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Lawyers
• Hrvillage.com: Corporate Attorney