Which type of lawyer earns the most in South Africa?

Asked by: Damien Streich  |  Last update: January 21, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (31 votes)

Which lawyers earn the most in South Africa? The highest-paid lawyers often work in medical, intellectual property, business, and environmental law. Their salaries can vary based on their experience and the type of law they practice.

Which field of law pays the most in South Africa?

The highest paying fields of law in South Africa typically include corporate law, intellectual property law, and mergers and acquisitions. These areas often involve complex legal issues and high-value transactions, contributing to higher salaries.

What type of lawyer gets paid most?

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.

What type of lawyer is most in demand in South Africa?

What types of lawyers are in high demand in South Africa? High demand exists for lawyers in corporate, criminal, human rights, environmental, and intellectual property law.

What type of lawyer is most in demand?

Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Other quickly growing areas of law also include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.

Attorney Salary in South Africa I Candidate Attorney Salary I LLB Degree Salaries in South Africa

45 related questions found

Which branch of law makes the most money?

1. What Type of Lawyer Makes the Most Money? Patent lawyers, IP attorneys, and trial lawyers make the most money.

What is the least stressful lawyer field?

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.

Is a law degree worth it in South Africa?

A law degree in South Africa is more than just a qualification for practising law; it is a career path that opens doors to diverse and influential opportunities. Lawyers have historically played crucial roles in shaping societies by supporting justice and protecting the rights of individuals and communities.

What is the best lawyer to make money?

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

Which type of lawyer is the richest?

The highest-paid lawyers typically specialize in fields such as corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, medical malpractice, and entertainment law. These areas command higher salaries due to the complexity, demand, and financial stakes involved.

What type of lawyer makes the least money?

We find that within the legal industry, certain segments are known to offer lower compensation. Typically, public defenders, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers working for nonprofit organizations are among the lowest paid.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.

What is a lawyer called in South Africa?

In different regions around the world, licenced legal professionals are called by different names. In South Africa, we refer to someone who performs a legal function as lawyers or attorneys (which can be used interchangeably).

How much do divorce lawyers make in South Africa?

A mid-career Divorce Lawyer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R425,000 based on 5 salaries.

How many years to study law in South Africa?

The four-year programme comprises mostly law subjects with several Humanity or Commerce subjects at first year level. You must take certain core law subjects if you wish to graduate with an LLB. Other subjects form a set of electives you can choose from.

Which country pays lawyers the most?

The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.

What kind of lawyer makes the most money?

Highest Paid Lawyers Around the World
  • Corporate Lawyers. Corporate law relates to the regulation of corporations, including their formation, management, and winding up. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. ...
  • Trial Lawyers. ...
  • Intellectual Property Lawyers. ...
  • Medical Lawyers. ...
  • Real Estate Attorneys. ...
  • Immigration Lawyers. ...
  • Admiralty (Maritime) Lawyers.

What is the salary of LLB in USA?

As of Jan 19, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Llb in the United States is $26.07 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $39.42 and as low as $13.22, the majority of Llb wages currently range between $15.38 (25th percentile) to $33.17 (75th percentile) across the United States.

Which law is in demand in South Africa?

Which areas of law are currently most in demand in South Africa? Corporate law, environmental law, and human rights law are among the most in-demand areas. The country's focus on compliance and regulation also drives demand in fields such as labor law and tax law.

What type of lawyers make the most money in South Africa?

The highest-paid lawyers often work in medical, intellectual property, business, and environmental law. Their salaries can vary based on their experience and the type of law they practice.

Which university is best for a lawyer in South Africa?

The best law universities in South Africa include the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Regenesys School of Law, University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of Pretoria (UP), Stellenbosch University, North-West University (NWU), and University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

Are lawyers becoming oversaturated?

Law School Myth 5:

The job market for lawyers is oversaturated. While it is true that there are more law school graduates than there are jobs available in some markets, the job market for lawyers is actually quite strong overall.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

Which lawyer is the easiest?

The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning. This involves helping clients prepare for the distribution of their assets upon death or incapacitation, making it relatively straightforward compared to other legal fields.