Attorneys often work under pressure and tension to meet important court filing deadlines and may use evenings and weekends to prepare for a trial. They must keep up with the latest court decisions and other developments within their profession, especially within their field of practice. The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. The majority of Attorneys are employed in private firms or as sole practitioners engaged in offering legal services on a contingency fee basis. The remainder are employed primarily by the government and may work at the county, state, or federal level.
Competition remains intense for associate positions with prestigious law firms.
Graduates of distinguished law schools who rank high in their class will have the best opportunities for employment with the top law firms. Students also increase their chance of employment by acquiring legal research experience through internships. However, long hours of research at a law firm may not be ideal for many graduates. Those who want to be litigators seek employment with government agencies in order to gain trial experience. While some graduates may hang a shingle and become a sole practitioner.