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Many attorneys choose the legal profession out of a desire to help others; however, not all are equally well-paid for their efforts.

Where an attorney works, the type of law they practice and their level of experience all have an effect on how much they make in annual earnings.

Lawyers at large law firms tend to command higher salaries, especially since certain legal areas require very specialized knowledge.

In-House Lawyers

While the pay gap between in-house lawyers and associates at top law firms has shrunk considerably in recent years, many aspiring attorneys remain drawn to working in-house for its security and benefits. A common career path for these in-house attorneys involves becoming general counsel of an organization’s legal department.

In-house lawyers enjoy the opportunity to handle complicated matters in-house and cross-train in various areas of law compared to BigLaw associates who typically specialize early on.

Dependent upon their industry, in-house lawyers may also benefit from unique incentives like stock options that enhance their overall compensation package. It should be noted, however, that in-house lawyers typically don’t experience as significant salary increases than BigLaw lawyers do despite often having more stability and improved work/life balance; with greater visibility into upcoming projects and deadlines reducing the chance for unexpected all-nighters or cancelled vacations.

Big Law Firm Lawyers

As a general rule, lawyers working at Big Law firms (defined as any US private firm with 500 or more attorneys, including smaller and midsized firms that follow Big Law salary scale) tend to make the highest earnings. These law firms often specialize in complex legal areas like antitrust law, intellectual property protection and securities issues.

Factors can influence whether or not a lawyer makes more in Big Law, including geography; certain states and cities have higher costs of living than others and thus their average salaries could be lower.

Size and prestige also play a factor. “Big Law” can be loosely defined based on attorney count, revenue and prestige – although some firms consistently make the list like Davis Polk & Boies out of New York City specializing in complex litigation such as antitrust and securities cases.

Civil Rights Lawyers

Civil rights attorneys specialize in upholding laws against discrimination based on age, sex, religion, race and disability – fighting discrimination wherever it occurs such as workplaces, medical facilities or public venues. Civil rights attorneys also investigate and advise clients whose rights have been violated as part of investigations conducted against specific clients whose rights have been breached by employers, medical providers or public venues.

Intellectual property (IP) attorneys tend to make more money than other types of attorneys due to a range of reasons. From patenting new designs or protecting copyright on manuscripts, IP attorneys make the most from their knowledge of laws pertaining to creative processes.

Are You Seeking a Career as a Civil Rights Attorney? Major in Criminal Justice, Sociology or History for Admission into Law School which typically lasts three years with focus on constitutional and civil rights law studies. Furthermore, participate in internships or volunteer at community-based organizations, legal clinics or justice projects as opportunities may also present themselves.

Government Lawyers

People often think of lawyers in terms of federal prosecutors or public defenders; however, lawyers employed by local, state and city governments also play an essential role in society – often appearing at criminal trials as well as planning meetings.

Lawyers employed by government agencies usually earn middling salaries. Affecting these rates are the costs associated with living costs and agency budgets; rural lawyers earning significantly lower wages than top lawyers located in Washington D.C.

However, government attorney salaries can be increased with promotions and management experience, switching employers that pay higher salaries or accruing 13 days of vacation or annual leave each year – this could be attractive options for attorneys looking for ways to escape the rat race and gain more control of their working lives.