What area of law pays best?

Asked by: Angelo Tremblay  |  Last update: October 10, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (1 votes)

Some of the highest-paid lawyers include:
  • Trial lawyer: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney: $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Medical lawyer: $113,000.
  • Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
  • Family lawyer: $93,000.
  • Criminal defense lawyer: $86,000.
  • Immigration lawyer: $83,000.

Which field of law makes the most money?

Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.

What areas of law get paid the most?

As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
  • Patent Attorneys.
  • Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
  • Trial Lawyers.
  • Tax Attorneys.
  • Corporate Lawyers.

What is the most profitable area of law?

Top 6 Most Profitable Practice Areas of Law
  • Cybersecurity Attorney. Digital privacy, internet access, and inalienable rights are just a few of the concerns that interest lawyers who have expertise in cybersecurity. ...
  • Health Lawyers. ...
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer. ...
  • Judge. ...
  • Law School Professors. ...
  • Tax Attorneys.

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

How can a lawyer make 500k a year?
  1. Create an SEO for Lawyers Strategy.
  2. Build a Solid Law Firm Website.
  3. Write Engaging Attorney Content.
  4. Start a Lawyer PPC Campaign.
  5. Register Your Law Firm in Relevant Listings and Directories.
  6. Engage in Reputation Management for Lawyers.

Big Law's Big Paychecks: Partner Compensation, Explained

40 related questions found

Can lawyers make 7 figures?

Corporate Lawyer (Partner)

Though that's far from pocket change, it's certainly not landing you in the earnings tier of a millionaire. That said, corporate lawyers generally stand to make the most and can pull in seven figures a year — if they make partner.

Is 700k a good salary?

Earning $700,000 a year would put your household in the top 1% nationwide — and well above the middle class — and in any state in the South or Midwest. But that still won't cut it in seven states. The Northeast dominates the rankings, with five of the 10 states with the highest 1% thresholds lying in this region.

What is the happiest area of law?

What Type of Lawyers Are the Happiest?
  • Corporate Law.
  • Malpractice Law.
  • Commercial Law.
  • Transactional Law.
  • Tax Law.
  • Estate Planning.
  • International Business Law.
  • Partnership Law.

Which law is highest in demand?

Some of the most popular law specializations in India are – Civil Law, Criminal Law , Corporate Law , Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Law .

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

Which area of law pays the best?

Along with your geographical location, the legal practice area you choose to specialise in can have a big impact on your earnings. You'll find the highest salaries in practice areas that deal with high-profile companies on national and international scales, such as commercial, corporate and intellectual property law.

Does law actually pay well?

Lawyer salaries by state

Lawyers in these states earn the highest median salaries: California ($175,680) New York ($172,880)

Which field of law is best in UK?

Corporate law

If you thrive on challenges, want a high salary and have an excellent academic background then you'll suit this area of law.

What type of law pays the most UK?

The most profitable legal area is commercial and corporate law, where solicitors can easily earn over £100,000 a year. Commercial lawyers provide business-related advice to companies, making sure that they comply with regulation and a particular country's legal system.

Which law has highest salary?

11 of the highest-paying lawyers
  • Civil litigation attorney. ...
  • Real estate attorney. ...
  • Intellectual property attorney. ...
  • Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
  • Family lawyer. ...
  • Tax attorney. ...
  • Corporate attorney. ...
  • Patent attorney.

What is the best field of law to go into?

Here are 16 fruitful, promising areas of law for you to consider.
  • Civil Rights. ...
  • Animal Rights. ...
  • Immigration. ...
  • Sports and Entertainment. ...
  • Labor. ...
  • Family Law. ...
  • Elder Law. ...
  • Education. If actively practicing law doesn't seem to fit anymore, you can always go into education, teaching law to students.

What is the richest type of law?

  • Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer. One reason IP lawyers are some of the highest-paid types of lawyers is that they require very specialized knowledge in distinct fields. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. Tax codes are complex. ...
  • Trial Attorney. ...
  • Medical Lawyer. ...
  • Patent Attorney. ...
  • Corporate Lawyer. ...
  • Real Estate Lawyer. ...
  • Family Lawyer.

What is the hardest law degree to get?

The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.

What is the least stressful field of law?

What type of lawyer is the least stressful? Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice. Unlike other practice areas, people's lives aren't on the line.

Why is Big law so stressful?

Long hours

Big law attorneys can work up to 80-hour weeks. At this point, many law school graduates assume that the cost of a legal career is working long hours. Having to be 'on' so much of the time, whether working on billable hours or not, contributes to biglaw burnout.

What kind of lawyer has the best work-life balance?

In-house counsel – an attorney employed directly by the company they represent – is typically one of the best areas for work-life balance. Regardless of the type of law you practice for your employer, you will typically work more traditional hours.

What area of law makes the least money?

Public interest lawyers and public defenders often find themselves on the lower end of the income spectrum due to the nature of their work, which prioritizes service over profit. Meanwhile, corporate lawyers and those in specialized legal fields typically command higher salaries.

What is the top 1% salary?

Key Takeaways
  • Nationwide, it takes an income of $787,712 to be in the top 1% of earners.
  • The median U.S. income is approximately $75,000, with half of Americans earning less.
  • Earning over $1 million annually is required to join the top 1% in three states.

Can I afford a 700k house with 100k salary?

To afford a $700,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $175,000 to $235,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.

Is a 200k salary considered rich?

Is $200,000 a Year Considered Rich? There's no standard definition of “rich,” though most people would certainly consider a single person making $200,000 to be well-off. But again, where you live — and the cost of living there — play a role. Another way to think about what “rich” means is to calculate your net worth.