Get in touch: (800) 551-3410
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 6/7/24
Looking into a law career and wondering what fields the highest-paid lawyers specialize in? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!
Aspiring lawyers may have different motives for wanting to practice law. While some may want to be public defenders and bring justice to those who need it, others are drawn into the field for their academic interests or their desire for a certain lifestyle.
While there is no single reason to pursue a career as a lawyer, salary is an essential consideration as you choose your legal specialty.
We’ve distilled all the pros and cons of some of the highest-paid types of lawyers. Performing well in your law career means coming prepared for the type of work ahead of you. As a result, deciding which specialty of law to work in can make all the difference.
While many factors play a part in determining a lawyer’s compensation, certain lawyers tend to make more than others. Some of the highest-paid lawyers include:
One reason IP lawyers are some of the highest-paid types of lawyers is that they require very specialized knowledge in distinct fields.
An attorney defending and making arguments for intellectual property needs to be well-versed in the domain it pertains to. This can include creative fields like music and entertainment and other areas such as science and technology.
Being familiar with and up to date on the current state of the industry you’re working in means any new developments will need to be researched and studied extensively. An IP lawyer is constantly expanding their body of knowledge to formulate the best and most current arguments to ensure no plagiarism or intellectual theft occurs.
Tax codes are complex. So companies and individuals are willing to pay so much for credible tax attorneys. Tax laws aren’t written in stone and are being updated all the time. As a result, tax attorneys need to make sure they’re always familiar with any changes to evolving tax policies.
Although the profession may sound boring to some, keep in mind many tax attorneys spend a good deal of time in the courtroom. In this case, companies or individuals facing taxation issues rely on their tax attorneys. They’re able to provide comprehensive and robust legal representation while defending themselves.
If you have any background in business, then becoming a tax attorney can feel like a natural career progression. It’s not uncommon at all for tax attorneys to be well-versed in fundamental accounting practices. All things considered, a career as a tax attorney is a reliable pathway to becoming a top-paid lawyer.
Although there is a bit of variation when it comes to trial attorney salaries, handling courtroom processes can give you a leg up in your law career. The role of a trial attorney is as much about charisma as it is about facts and knowledge. Working in a live environment means you’ll need to be quick-thinking and adaptable.
In terms of legal background, trial attorneys should be familiar with many aspects of law and be able to apply it to the cases they’re working on.
Cases in courtrooms are subject to change–new information is presented, and old information is revised all the time. A reason why trial attorneys are some of the highest-paid lawyers is a result of their persuasive social skills.
If the stereotypical image of a lawyer giving compelling arguments to judges and juries is appealing to you, then becoming a trial attorney may be a lucrative career option. Having the ability to connect with and convince people of differing points of view is a skill that can carry you through a prosperous law career.
While the term medical lawyer immediately conjures up images of malpractice lawsuits, this isn’t the entire scope of the profession. Medical lawyers can work in a variety of settings to better the healthcare and well-being of all individuals in society.
Some alternative areas of work include public health and pharmaceutical drug companies. In these positions, lawyers advise health bodies on overseeing infectious diseases and community-transmitted pathogens. With pharmaceutical drugs, they can provide insight into how the drugs are regulated.
Patent attorneys play a crucial role in the legal landscape. Crafting inventions and conducting research for the greater benefit of society is not without its difficulties. When a successful patent is filed, intellectual property owners can be assured they’ll have a set amount of time where copycat products aren’t allowed as competitors in the marketplace.
Patent law is actually a subcategory of intellectual property. A famous example is the personal computer patent, which Steve Jobs and colleagues filed in 1980. The right patent attorney can ensure that inventors can capitalize on their work and create incentives for originality and innovation.
Corporate lawyers, also known as business lawyers, handle legal matters for companies. They help businesses to navigate corporate law and ensure compliance with regulations.
One of the key responsibilities of a corporate lawyer is M&A. These lawyers help negotiate, draft and review the legal documents necessary for one company to acquire another. They ensure that all legal aspects are covered, minimizing risks and facilitating smooth transitions. Other responsibilities are
The complexity of corporate law requires a deep understanding of various legal areas, from tax law to employment law, which justifies the high salaries. Also, decisions made by corporate lawyers can significantly impact a company's success, risk profile, and bottom line, making their role highly valuable.
Real estate lawyers, also known as property lawyers, specialize in legal matters related to real estate transactions. They ensure that property dealings, both residential and commercial, are conducted legally and smoothly. They also provide guidance, drafting documents, and resolving disputes.
Real estate lawyers handle the legal aspects of buying, selling, leasing, and renting properties. They draft and review contracts, agreements, and other legal documents to ensure all terms are clear and legally binding.
They also conduct thorough title searches to verify the ownership of the property and ensure there are no existing claims or liens.
Real estate transactions can be complex, involving multiple parties, significant sums of money, and complex legal requirements. Real estate lawyers’ expertise is crucial to navigating these complexities, making them among the highest-paid lawyers.
Real estate law requires specialized knowledge of property laws, zoning regulations, financing, and environmental issues. This expertise justifies higher salaries for those who are proficient in this area.
Family lawyers specialize in legal issues related to family relationships, such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and adoption. Their work requires understanding family law and a compassionate approach to help clients deal with emotional situations.
These lawyers also act as mediators to help parties resolve disputes amicably outside of court, particularly in divorce and custody cases. Mediation can save time, reduce legal fees, and result in more amicable settlements.
The outcomes of family law cases can significantly impact clients' lives, particularly in matters of child custody and divorce settlements. The high stakes involved justify the higher salaries for experienced family lawyers.
In addition, family lawyers must stay updated on ever-changing family laws and court procedures. Their specialized knowledge and ability to handle sensitive legal issues make them valuable to their clients.
Criminal defense lawyers specialize in defending people and organizations charged with criminal offenses. Their work is to ensure the accused receive a fair trial and that their rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Criminal defense lawyers represent clients accused of crimes, ranging from minor infractions to serious felonies. They provide legal counsel, prepare defense strategies, and represent clients in court proceedings.
They conduct thorough investigations of the cases they handle. This includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and working with private investigators and expert witnesses.
In addition, they represent clients in various court proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, pre-trial hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings. They present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and make compelling arguments to the judge and jury.
Criminal cases often involve severe consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and a permanent criminal record. The high stakes involved require skilled defense attorneys who can effectively protect their client's rights and freedoms.
Criminal defense lawyers' workloads can be demanding, involving long hours, hard preparation, and the stress of high-stakes litigation. The intensity and dedication required contribute to higher salaries.
Experienced and reputable criminal defense lawyers often have established a track record of successful case outcomes. Their reputation and proven skills make them highly sought after, allowing them to charge premium rates for their services.
Immigration lawyers ensure that clients can live, work, and stay in the country legally. They help them to seek asylum, obtain work visas, achieve permanent residency, or acquire citizenship.
In addition, immigration lawyers represent clients in immigration court and during hearings with immigration officials. They present cases, argue on behalf of clients, and handle any legal challenges that arise.
Immigration lawyers provide critical defense for clients facing deportation or removal from the country. They argue cases in court to prevent deportation and help clients understand their rights and options.
The demand for immigration lawyers is consistently high due to the complex nature of immigration law and the significant impact it has on individuals' lives. The work of immigration lawyers can affect their clients’ lives, providing them with opportunities for a better future. As such, high earnings.
As with any career, where you work has a huge impact on your salary, and law is no exception. Unsurprisingly, major cities tend to compensate lawyers more generously, as there are oftentimes more firms and higher-end clients to compete for top talent.
Source: Biglaw Investor, Forbes
Even if the state you’re planning to work in doesn’t have the highest salary, don’t worry. A meaningful law career is more than your paycheck, and just because you don’t work in a large city doesn’t mean you can’t make a great living as a lawyer. This is especially the case if you practice a specialized branch of law.
A lawyer’s total salary is determined by a few different metrics. Some of the most pivotal factors that will affect your compensation are where you work, what school you attend, and how much experience you have. Many of the highest-paid types of lawyers attend elite schools and are top of their class.
Unsurprisingly, lawyers who work for big law are some of the highest-paid lawyers. Big law firms have resources and quality assurance that smaller firms can’t compete with. With higher-paying clients, big law sets a standard where extended hours and high expectations are the norm.
Big law firms are usually concentrated in major cities. These include places such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. With larger cities and urban sprawl comes more clients willing to pay exorbitant fees for top-notch legal representation.
As a lawyer, the school you attended plays a large role in your future earnings. This is due to the fact that big law firms recruit from top-ranked schools.
Oftentimes, top-25 schools act as a bidding ground for big law firms. These firms are constantly trying to attain the best and brightest, and more prestigious schools offer top-notch education.
This is a result of having more stringent and competitive entry requirements. So, naturally, most of the top-earning lawyers have attended elite institutions.
Because of free market competition, big law firms will try to attract the best talent with promises of high salaries. In order to keep up with the demand, the law firms must match each others’ offers. If a firm can’t pay commensurate salaries, then they risk losing qualified lawyers to firms willing to compensate them better.
There’s no doubt a key metric in determining your salary as a lawyer is the years of experience you have. More experienced lawyers have a broader range of career options than their juvenile counterparts. Also affecting the average earnings is the fact that lawyers with more experience have often progressed from associate to partner at their firm.
Although the amount of associates that make partner varies considerably from firm to firm, there are a significant number of lawyers that opt for career paths with greater work-life balance. Regardless, the more years of experience you attain, the more likely you’ll be a high-earning lawyer.
Other than big law prospects, lawyers with more experience are simply more knowledgeable in their field. Many branches of law require very specific or niche information. More experienced lawyers can handle a larger variety of cases with increased depth and from multiple angles.
Still have questions about what are the highest-paid lawyers? Give our FAQs a quick read!
Patent lawyers, IP attorneys, and trial lawyers make the most money. However, don’t let that stop you from exploring other specialties—you can still make a good chunk of change. One of the highest-paid criminal lawyers, Willie Gary, earned $500M from a single lawsuit!
States with larger cities pay the most. Areas like Los Angeles and New York can offer some of the highest salaries to lawyers. This list also includes Chicago and San Francisco. As a rule of thumb, the highest-paid lawyers tend to work in urban environments.
Although some of the most profitable areas in law may not exactly align with your interests, there is enough variety within the field to secure a good salary–even if it’s not the highest-paying specialty.
If you’re in the beginning stages of planning your career and want to maximize your earning potential, it makes sense to prioritize what school you go to and aim for academic excellence.
Being recruited by a big law firm and earning an exorbitant salary means you’ll need to prove yourself against others aspiring for that same position. The top three ways to ensure you become a high-earning lawyer are to attend an elite school, work in a large law firm, and accumulate several years of experience.
The career of a top-earning lawyer may not be for everybody. But with the tenacity and passion for it, there’s no doubt you’ll succeed!
