We surveyed 12,026 lawyers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical lawyer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a lawyer?
Low
High
Working as a lawyer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that lawyers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a lawyer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a lawyer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a lawyer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a lawyer. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for lawyers.
Do lawyers work full-time or part-time?
91% of lawyers work in full-time roles while 9% work part-time.
Is being a lawyer stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for lawyers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a lawyer?
Low
High
Organization is considered a very important trait for lawyers, and is critical to success in the field.
How competitive is the workplace for lawyers?
Low
High
Lawyers tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.
Does being a lawyer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Lawyers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are lawyers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Lawyers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do lawyers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Lawyers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a lawyer physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a lawyers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are lawyers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, lawyers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being a lawyer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for lawyers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good lawyer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a lawyer.