When I grow upWhen I grow up

By: Tamia WilliamsBy: Tamia Williams

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When I grow up I would like to When I grow up I would like to become a lawyer. I would like to become a lawyer. I would like to become a lawyer because the become a lawyer because the job matches my personality and job matches my personality and characteristics. I am very characteristics. I am very competitive and truthful.competitive and truthful.

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A lawyer represents a client’s case in court and also A lawyer represents a client’s case in court and also argues for their legal rights. Lawyers must first research argues for their legal rights. Lawyers must first research the laws to match their clients’ case. The responsibility of the laws to match their clients’ case. The responsibility of a lawyer depends on the law they study. For instance, trial a lawyer depends on the law they study. For instance, trial lawyers spend most of their time researching, interviewing lawyers spend most of their time researching, interviewing clients and witnesses, and other preparations for a trial. clients and witnesses, and other preparations for a trial. Lawyers specialize in a lot of areas, such as bankruptcy, Lawyers specialize in a lot of areas, such as bankruptcy, probate, international, elder, or environmental law. For the probate, international, elder, or environmental law. For the certain types of law areas, they represent those areas. certain types of law areas, they represent those areas. There are many other types of fields for different law There are many other types of fields for different law areas. A lot of lawyers are employed at the various levels areas. A lot of lawyers are employed at the various levels of government. Some work for state attorneys general, of government. Some work for state attorneys general, prosecutors, and public defenders in criminal courts. prosecutors, and public defenders in criminal courts. Government lawyers help develop programs, draft and Government lawyers help develop programs, draft and interpret laws and legislation, establish enforcement interpret laws and legislation, establish enforcement procedures, and argue civil and criminal cases on behalf procedures, and argue civil and criminal cases on behalf of the government. of the government.

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To become a lawyer it usually To become a lawyer it usually takes 7 years total to become a takes 7 years total to become a lawyer. 4 years for regular lawyer. 4 years for regular college, and 3 years for law college, and 3 years for law school. You must also pass a school. You must also pass a written bar examination. You written bar examination. You must have a bachelor’s degree must have a bachelor’s degree to qualify for admission. Law to qualify for admission. Law schools have night or part-time schools have night or part-time divisions. divisions.

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The annual salary for lawyers is $110,590 The annual salary for lawyers is $110,590 a year. Lawyers who own their own a year. Lawyers who own their own practices usually earn less than those who practices usually earn less than those who are partners in law firms. Median salaries are partners in law firms. Median salaries of lawyers 9 months after graduation from of lawyers 9 months after graduation from law school in 2007 vary by the type of law school in 2007 vary by the type of work. All graduates make $68,500 a year , work. All graduates make $68,500 a year , private practice makes $108,500 a year , private practice makes $108,500 a year , Business makes $69,100 a year , Business makes $69,100 a year , Government makes $50,000 a year , and Government makes $50,000 a year , and academic and judicial clerkships makes academic and judicial clerkships makes $48,000 a year.$48,000 a year.

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I think that lawyers are really I think that lawyers are really important to our society. Lawyers important to our society. Lawyers help us when we are accused of the help us when we are accused of the wrong crime. They also help when wrong crime. They also help when the law has done us wrong. Lawyers the law has done us wrong. Lawyers really deserve the money they earn really deserve the money they earn because they take the time out to because they take the time out to help everyone in America. THAT is help everyone in America. THAT is why I want to be a lawyer.why I want to be a lawyer.

BibliographyBibliography

Month, By. "Occupational Month, By. "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition." Edition." U.S. Bureau of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsStatistics. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. . Web. 20 Dec. 2010. <http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.h<http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm>. tm>.