How to Become a Business Lawyer

The legal profession is expected to grow by 10% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Overview & Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage of lawyers is $112,760, with the top 10% earning more than $166,400.

Legal Assistant $46,680
Paralegals $46,680
Legal Secretary $29,800
Legal Clerk $29,500
Compliance Investigator $56,500
Business Data Analyst $63,450
Business Law Paralegals $46,680
Business Law Clerks $29,990
Manager Legal Administration $68,500
Legal Regulatory Manager $86,250

Places to Work

The U.S. Labor Department says lawyers hold about 728,200 positions in the United States, with most of those working in private or corporate legal offices. In addition, lawyers are employed in local, state and federal governments, while 22% of lawyers are self-employed. States with the most lawyers employed include:

  • California
  • New York
  • Florida
  • Texas
  • District of Columbia

Employment and Information Data for Business Law

Why Business Law

The practice of business law holds the most opportunities, as well as diversity, of careers in the legal world. In fact, business law professionals – generally found at law firms, in large companies’ legal departments and governmental agencies – have more opportunities than ever.

Recommended Business Law Courses

  • Introductions of Business Law
  • Contracts
  • Court Structure
  • Legal process
  • Property Law
  • Civil Procedure
  • Property
  • Legal writing
  • Legal research
  • Wills and Trusts
  • Community Property

Degrees for Business Law Careers

In order to function as a business law professional you must hold a Juris Doctor, while clerks, operational managers, legal secretaries, paralegals and other administrative support staff professionals are often required to have both business and legal educational training.

Paralegal Certificate
A paralegal program provides students administrative, legal and business training required to work in a demanding business law environment.

Juris Doctor Degree
A JD is a standard law degree bestowed at accredited law schools in the United States. Many schools will also offer a joint MBA/JD that will help students get a leg up when entering the business law profession. A JD typically requires three years of study while a joint degree can often be accomplished in four years.