The Average Income of a Divorce Attorney
Contrary to popular belief, divorce attorneys don't all earn six-figure salaries. According to Degreedirectory.org, in 2009 the average domestic relations lawyer earned approximately $96,000 a year, with partners in law firms earning significantly more than associate attorneys. This is not to say, however, that a prospective family law attorney can expect to earn this figure as a matter of course. A divorce lawyer's actual income will fluctuate based upon a variety of factors.
Other People Are Reading
-
Education and Experience
-
An attorney who graduated from a top-tier law school with excellent grades will be more likely to land a position at an elite firm where the salaries are commensurate with the lawyer's educational pedigree. Among lawyers of the same educational background, experienced attorneys will generally earn more than freshly-minted law school graduates, as their time commands a higher billing rate and they have had more time to build a clientele.
Geographic Location
-
Just as in real estate, location is an important factor in domestic law practice. Generally, attorneys who practice in large cities will command higher rates and earn higher salaries than those who have set up their offices in small towns or rural areas, largely due to variations in cost of living and the incomes of potential clients. Attorneys in large cities, however, may earn less than their rural counterparts if they live in economically depressed areas of the country.
-
Clientele
-
A divorce lawyer's clientele has a marked effect on his income. Generally, lawyers who serve a wealthy clientele will be able to charge more for their services than a lawyer whose stream of business comes more from lower- and middle-class clients. While this comes in part from wealthy clients' willingness and ability to pay, it also flows from the fact that wealthier clients tend to present more complex and higher-liability legal problems.
Economic Conditions
-
The high proportion of marriages that end in divorce does not necessarily translate into a buffet of clients for divorce lawyers. While having a steady stream of clients in need of representation is important to maintaining a healthy domestic practice, it is even more important to have a steady stream of clients who can pay for that representation. A high jobless rate generally means fewer clients able to retain a divorce lawyer, and poor performance of the economy in general leads to lower values of the retirement and investment accounts that many clients turn to to help finance divorce litigation.
Work Ethic
-
Regardless of his education, experience and position in terms of geographic location and market placement, a divorce lawyer's income will depend largely upon his work ethic and the amount of time he is willing to invest in his practice. In private practice, many attorneys will have the luxury of setting their own schedule; a lawyer who devotes his time to performing work, billing clients and promoting his practice will generally earn more than one who diverts his time toward family, hobbies and other leisure activities.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Christine Balderas/Photodisc/Getty Images
