With law school applicants at a 30-year low, there has never been a better time to pursue a legal career.  Some top law schools are now accepting students that they would have overlooked in the past.  This does not change the fact that tuition prices are at all-time highs, which has been a deterrent to many prospective students.  The idea that law school graduates will not be able to find a lucrative job after graduation has stopped many prospective students as well.  Statistically speaking, though, employment for lawyers is expected to grow by 11% between 2006 and 2016.

The Demand For Lawyers

The demand for lawyers will continue to rise, due to growth in population and an increase in business activity.  These factors will lead to more legal transactions, criminal cases and civil disputes; therefore, corporate lawyers, criminal lawyers and civil lawyers are all expected to rise in their level of demand.

With the advent of universal health care in the United States, the need for legal professionals specializing in health care law will rise drastically.  Another consequence of universal health care will be a demand for lawyers specializing in elderly law.  With universal health care the longevity of the United States population is expected to increase.

Continued research into alternative energy will create a demand in environmental, intellectual property and corporate law, because they will be necessary for further progress.  Other forms of technology will also be in need of experienced intellectual property and corporate lawyers.  Disputes between who developed new products and technology will always keep intellectual property lawyers in high demand.

Furthermore, the increased affordability of legal clinics will lead to middle-class clients to seek legal consultation more often.  Hence, lawyers specializing in family, civil, criminal and personal injury will be more readily sought after.

Continue reading Should your college-bound teen consider a legal career? →