Lawyers

23-1011.00

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
• Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
• Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
• Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
• Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
• Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
• Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
• Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
• Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
• Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.
• Supervise legal assistants.
• Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.
• Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
• Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
• Prepare legal briefs and opinions, and file appeals in state and federal courts of appeal.
• Search for and examine public and other legal records to write opinions or establish ownership.
• Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.
• Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.
• Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
• Probate wills and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates.
• Act as agent, trustee, guardian, or executor for businesses or individuals.
• Help develop federal and state programs, draft and interpret laws and legislation, and establish enforcement procedures.

Technology Skills

• Accounting software - BQE Software BillQuick; ESI Software ESILAW; Fund accounting software; Genlex CaseAce; LexisNexis Lexis Back Office; LexisNexis PCLaw; SMEsource BillingOrchard; Software Technology Tabs3; TimePro Legal Software TimePro; TimeSolv Legal
• Analytical or scientific software - Convex FactLogic; Direct Hit Systems THREADS
• Calendar and scheduling software - Compugov DocketView; CompuLaw Vision; Levare Center Court
• Content workflow software - I-many Contract Management
• Data base user interface and query software - Abacus Data Systems AbacusLaw; ADC Legal Systems Perfect Practice; ADERANT Expert Matter Center; Advanced Technologies Class Act; AdvantageLaw WinVantage; Argosy Legal Systems Power Closer; Bridgeway eCounsel; Chesapeake Interlink Needles; Client Profiles Case Management; Cobblestone Systems Contract Insight; Computer Sciences Corporation Legal Solutions Suite; Corporate Focus Solium Shareworks; Corporatek EnAct Platinum; Creative Data Solutions DuProcess; CrimeCog Technologies E*Justice; Crocodile Consulting Traffic Control; CyberDyne Industries CaseWizard; De Novo Systems De Novo CaseMgr; Diarymaster; DPS Software General Litigation; Eclipse Legal Systems Proclaim; Economic Analysis Group EAG CaseTrack; eLawSoftware; Gavel & Gown Software Amicus Attorney; HiPerSoft Practice Information Powertool; Juris; Justice Systems FullCourt Enterprise; Lawex TrialWorks; LawLogix Edge; LegalEdge Law Firm Suite; LexisNexis CaseMap; LexisNexis Lexis Front Office; LT Online Corporation LAWTRAC; Lucid IQ CMP; Microsoft Access 🔥; Nolo Quicken Legal Business Pro; Orion Law Management Systems Orion; PerfectLaw All-in-One Suite; Saga Practice Manager; Selectica Contract Performance Management; Solution Specialties TRACKER; SUSTAIN Justice Edition; Synaptec LawBase Case Management; Synergy International Systems Synergy CaseTrack; Tabs3 PracticeMaster; Thomson Reuters Elite ProLaw; TopDogLegal; Upside Software UpsideContract; WebEx WebOffice; Woll2Woll InfoPower Studio; WorthMORE Software CaseWORTH
• Data mining software - Google Analytics 🔥
• Desktop publishing software - Microsoft Publisher
• Document management software - AbacusNext HotDocs; Adobe Acrobat 🔥; Anacomp CaseLogistix; Best Case Solutions Best Case Bankruptcy; Captaris Alchemy; Catalyst Repository Systems CatalystCR; CT hCue; CT Summation iBlaze; DATAssimilate Systems DATAssimilator; FTI Ringtail Legal; IBM Federated Records Management; Immigrant Software Immigrant Professional; Interwoven RecordsManager; Iron Mountain Accutrac records management software; Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS; NetDocuments; Nuance PaperPort Professional; OpenText eDOCS DM; ProDoc; Technovation Software ImmigrationPro; Thomson West Cowles Estate Practice System; WealthCounsel WealthDocs; World Software Corporation Worldox
• Electronic mail software - Catalyst Repository Systems CatalystDR; Catalyst Repository Systems CatalystXE; MicroFocus GroupWise; Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - ERP software; Microsoft Dynamics 🔥; SAP software 🔥
• Information retrieval or search software - Fastcase legal software; LexisNexis; LexisNexis Shepard's Citations Service; Thomson Reuters Westlaw; Wolters Kluwer Loislaw
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Office suite software - Corel WordPerfect Office Suite; Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Presentation software - IDEA TrialPro; inData TrialDirector; Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥; Verdict Systems Sanction; Visionary Legal Technologies Visionary Professional
• Project management software - Canyon Solutions Jcats; Constellation Justice Systems CourtView; Customer Expressions i-Sight; Legal Files software; Microsoft Project 🔥; Practice Technology Prevail; Virtual Case Management
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Tax preparation software - Tax software
• Time accounting software - Equative TimeLedger; Sage Timeslips
• Video conferencing software - LogMeIn GoToMeeting
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; ProCAT Denoto; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
• Provide legal advice to clients.
• Interview claimants to get information related to legal proceedings.
• Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues.
• Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings.
• Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making.
• Prepare legal documents.
• Arbitrate disputes between parties to resolve legal conflicts.
• Supervise activities of other legal personnel.
• Prepare documentation of legal proceedings.
• Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records.
• Draft legislation or regulations.