A Description of Corporate Lawyers
When corporations require the advice of a legal professional, they usually seek representation from a corporate lawyer. The corporate lawyer may provide the corporation with legal advice or he may act on behalf of the corporation in legal matters. This field is flexible because corporate lawyers may be employed by private corporations, federal or state agencies or can even be self-employed.
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Significance
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Corporate lawyers provide services and legal defense to corporations and government agencies. They may provide advice to their clients related to taxation, mergers, accounting and other business-related issues. The lawyer may also provide legal defense and represent the corporation in court in the event the company is involved in white-collar crimes, government penalties or other activity that requires the lawyer's services.
Education
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Corporate lawyers must first obtain a bachelor's degree. Many pursue fields such as business, economics or finance. After completing an undergraduate degree, the lawyer must enter a law school program. Applicants to law school are required to submit Law School Admission Test scores before being accepted. Individuals may also pursue a dual-degree program that allows them to obtain a Juris doctor and MBA degree. Law school classes consist of courses related to corporate taxation, corporate finance and other areas of corporate law. After completing law school, the lawyer is required to pass the American Bar Association examination in the state that they plan to practice law.
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Skills
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Corporate lawyers must be detailed oriented and well organized because the corporation depends on them to maintain their legal case files. Lawyers in this field must be efficient and ensure that they keep current with business laws and regulations. In addition, corporate lawyers must have effective writing skills because these skills are required to prepare legal documents for clients.
Warnings
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Corporate lawyers may encounter stress when preparing cases for a corporation's upcoming trial. Preparation for trials may require that they work long hours that include weekends. Lawyers may be required to travel to several locations when investigating cases or conducting research.
Salary
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According to Payscale.com, corporate lawyers with one to four years of experience earned an average salary of $65,200. Those who worked for private firms earned an average $82,855 and those who were self employed earned a base salary of $78,621. In addition, many corporate lawyers receive bonuses in addition to their regular salary.
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References
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