What kind of lawyer makes the most money and is fun to work in?

Khemosabi's Ranger

I think that class action lawyers make the most money. Federal and some state laws provide for payment of legal fees out of the judgment awarded to the entire class, and since some classes are very large -- for example, all users of AT &T telephone service or all people who take aspirin, recoveries can be in tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, so even if each class member is entitled to only a few dollars, the attorneys fees can be measured in multiple millions of dollars in a single case. Whether this field is fun or not depends on your interests. It is possible to follow your primary interests and practice law in that area, and therefore be an enjoyable practice, however, this may or may not be well paid, depending on your field of interest.

Securities and business law can be fun, because you will help your clients achieve worthwhile objectives. It can also be well paying, provided that you serve big businesses.

Entertainment law can also be both enjoyable and lucrative, but it is very competitive, since so many people want to do it.

In any aspect of law, the best money is made at the top of the field, so work hard and be excellent at whatever you do.

Good luck.

CatLaw

The average salary for all lawyers in the US is around $40,000 (ABA research). The ones who make the most are those who go to the top tier law schools (Harvard, Yale, etc) are at the very top of the class, write for the schools Law Review, and after passing the bar exam get a 6-figure salary in one of the top firms. Of course that means working 18-20 hour days, 7 days a week, and devoting yourself to the law firm.

Currently Patent law attorneys generally make good money. Also, securities lawyers, large volume personal injury lawyers, class action lawyers, and lawyers for celebrities make very good money. As for fun, it depends on what you are interested in. I am an employment lawyer and love my job. I also own the firm and make my own hours, which definitely helps my attitude.

If you are interested in becoming a lawyer go to www.abanet.org that is the American Bar Assoc website that has an entire section to help those wanting to become a lawyer.

Jackie

I'm pretty sure criminal defense lawyers do. The high-profile lawyers like the ones hired by OJ Simpson, Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart are the wealthiest. They make millions of dollars from their famous cases, but those lawyers are rare and are just lucky, similar to the highest-paying actors and singers. Just lucky.

But for average people (not celebrity status), divorce lawyers or family lawyers are also really up there as well, in terms of salary. Not surprising though, since 1/2 of Americans divorce. Amazing how family feuds, child custody and marital arguments can earn you a six-figure salary...$100,000+.

Public defenders are the lowest paid lawyers (averaging around only $40,000 - $60,000 per year in the US). They are appointed by the court and paid by the state government and are defending those who cannot afford a lawyer...

As for fun, it really depends on what interests you. Lawyers who fight in court are litigators. Family/divorce lawyers do mostly paperwork and for the most part, never step foot in a court. Being a lawyer takes a lot of devotion and time. If you are really devoted to justice in society, then being a lawyer will be a great job, because you will thoroughly enjoy it and earn a great salary.

Bird Breath

Hard-working, intelligent corporate lawyers make a bundle. None of it looks like fun to me, but I guess some people like it.

~Miss Thing~

i too want to become a lawyer ..im a junior in college and have wanted to be a lawyer for most of my life anyway...fun- maybe entertainment law, exciting - criminal law, immigration law..quick - real estate law.....a good lawyer gets paid.....

anaacoco

Criminal Attorneys

SB155

If you are entering a particular field of employment based upon salary and its level of "fun", then become a teenage heartthrob. Best kept secret....lawyering is not fun at all, it is mostly office work (writing Motions, Briefs, etc.). The manner in which lawyers are portrayed on television is comical. Yeah, like lawyers see the insides of a courtroom everyday.

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