Best Paying Specialties for Lawyers Chief legal officer: $89,000 to $232,500. Health care attorney: $79,000 to $193,500. Patent attorney: $95,500 to $179,000. Corporate counsel: $111,000 to $174,500. Employment attorney: $101,000 to $152,000. Contract attorney: $72,500 to $152,500. Tax attorney: $84,000 to $143,500. More items... Jan 25, 2023