Are you wondering how much an attorney makes in Tampa? Being an attorney can be a lucrative profession if you study hard to be good at it; lawyers are some of the highest-paid individuals in the world, after all.

To work as an attorney though, you need to obtain a law degree and then pass the bar examination to receive a practicing license from the government. 

Attorneys often start out as law firm associates. After working with and learning from more seasoned Attorneys, you can begin to work your way up to becoming a partner in the firm. 

You can become a general practitioner, a judge, join law school faculty departments, or specialize in a particular area – such as real estate or criminal law. Some even choose to become Tampa personal injury lawyers or attorneys in specific locations in the U.S.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth for lawyers from 2020 to 2030 will be 9 percent, which is the same as the average for all professions over that time.

If you’re thinking of becoming a lawyer in Tampa, here’s everything you need to know.

Skills Needed to Be a Lawyer in Tampa

Even if you’ve passed all your exams, there are certain skills individuals need in order to be successful lawyers.

• You need to be able to communicate verbally and in writing. This includes being a good listener who pays attention to detail.

• You must have nerves of steel in situations where things go wrong, for example, in court in front of a critical audience.

• You must have critical thinking skills and be good at problem-solving and coming up with solutions. Then you must be able to choose the best one and be able to implement it.

• Much of the legal profession involves research and being able to identify pertinent information.

• Interpersonal skills are particularly important in more sensitive areas of specialization, like family law. You must be able to establish and maintain a supportive relationship with clients.

Factors That Influence the Salaries of Attorneys in Florida

While which field of law you choose to go into will certainly influence your salary, there are some other factors to consider:

If you work for a non-profit organization, such as legal aid, you can expect to be paid less.

The Federal Employees’ Pay Comparability Act of 1990 states that federal employee salaries should be within 5 percent of private-sector salaries. But being a public sector lawyer, employed by federal, state, or municipal government agencies, is not always as lucrative as being employed in the private sector.

Attorneys are paid differently depending on the clients they are representing. If they represent parties who file lawsuits, plaintiffs’ attorneys can earn hourly rates, retainers, and contingency fees (a percentage of around 25-35 of the proceeds of a lawsuit or a settlement that the lawyer collects on behalf of their client). 

Where you live plays a part in your salary. The highest-paying state is California, where lawyers earn about double what they do in Montana, the lowest-paying state. Florida ranks 17th highest on the list.

The Fields of Law In Tampa That Make the Most Money

Many people choose to become lawyers in Tampa because of their innate passion for justice and helping people. Others have specific financial goals and becoming a lawyer can help to achieve them.

Here are some of the top-paid fields of law to consider:

Medical Attorneys

Medical lawyers are among the best-paid, with one of the highest median salaries in the profession. The responsibilities of medical attorneys vary depending on the organization they work for. They can specialize in advising hospitals and healthcare organizations or handling medical malpractice claims and personal injury cases.

Intellectual Property Attorneys

Attorneys that specialize in intellectual property (IP) deal with patents, copyrights and trademarks. Because the intellectual property field has grown rapidly, there are high potential earnings in this field. This field has a fast-paced environment, requiring the legal side to stay up-to-date with laws and procedures that are constantly changing. They usually work for big private firms or in-house for large tech and pharmaceutical companies.

Tax Lawyers

Tax attorneys are there to represent organizations when they deal with state, federal, and local tax agencies. Companies and corporations pay a lot to attorneys who specialize in tax laws so that they can protect their assets and create tax savings strategies and plans. These types of lawyers are expensive because the U.S. tax law is extremely complex, so they have to continually research and study changes in the structure of tax laws that could implicate their clients. 

Corporate Lawyers

Attorneys that specialize in corporate law can provide their clients with advice on business transactions, mergers, acquisitions, running corporations, buying and selling businesses, and handling the company’s legal documents. A corporate lawyer will prepare and review contracts to ensure they favour the client. They can also assist with sourcing venture capital and creating new corporations. 

Chief Legal Officers

Chief legal officers (CLOs), or general counsel, manage the law department of a corporation. A larger corporation means a larger salary for the general counsel – those heading multinational corporations can even reach up to seven figures. In addition, Chief Legal Officers can also receive perks such as bonuses and stock options.

Judges

Judges preside over court proceedings in state, federal, and local courts. If you want to earn more, choose the federal court system; local judges and magistrates earn less. Judges often also receive benefits such as expense accounts and contributions to retirement plans.

How Much An Attorney Makes in Tampa Conclusion

Being an attorney can be extremely rewarding, and this includes finances. But, attorneys are required to work exceptionally hard. Many work long hours and even overtime and on weekends.

If you can pass the required exams and have the necessary skills, you stand in good stead to become a lawyer.

If you work in the private sector and go into a field such as medical or tax law, you can make an above-average amount of money as an attorney in Tampa.

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