Business Lawyer Career Guide
How To Become a Business Lawyer
Business law is an exciting yet diverse career opportunity for an aspiring lawyer. Your job could consist of doing anything from company restructuring and mergers to contract or property law. The work is as variable as are businesses, but in general, your role is to be the guide for businesses and companies in any legal matters whatsoever.
What Is a Business Lawyer?
A business lawyer is responsible for assisting corporations with matters they need. Their role is to ensure everything done at the company is legal and above board. From mergers and acquisitions to incorporations and bankruptcies...every legal aspect related to the company's business activity will be under your purview.
What Does a Business Lawyer Do?
- Starting businesses. Some business lawyers may be asked to help individuals decide what type of business they should run. Sole proprietorship, an LLC, a partnership, or a corporation—there are many options, and ensuring your clients get the right one means savings and tax benefits for them.
- Contract law. When one party fails to live up to its obligations or duties, things can get complicated. And your job will be to negotiate a settlement and sort out whatever problems there may be. This may involve writing employment contracts, NDA agreements, or even taking those in breach to court.
- Property law. Many businesses own or lease properties, and this comes with its fair share of paperwork. Real estate law is a complex web that your business clients might find difficult to navigate, so you’ll be tasked with bringing your legal expertise to hand and guiding them through it.
How Do I Become a Business Lawyer?
Becoming a lawyer is a challenging career path that requires hard work and many years of education. You’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree, get admitted to law school, and pass the rigorous lawyer certification or “bar” exam for your state before becoming a licensed attorney.
Step One: Get a Bachelor’s Degree
But before entering law school, you’ll have to earn a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in business management is an ideal choice for those who want to become corporate attorneys. A business degree will prepare you for this career by giving you the fundamentals of economics, statistics, management, and strategy. These courses will also ensure you’re ready for law school, as well as give you the building blocks needed to build a career as a business lawyer.
Step Two: Go to Law School
To be a lawyer you need to have completed three years of law school. You will be required to sit the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) first, and then get admitted to law school. During your time at law school, you’ll be able to take courses on tax, labor, and corporate law, amongst others. This education will provide the foundation for your legal career.
Step Three: Get your state licensure in law
The final step towards your dream of becoming a business lawyer is getting licensed, or “passing the Bar”. Whatever state you’re in, you’ll have to pass the Bar exam, meaning if you intend on practicing law in a different state, you’ll also need to pass their specific Bar exam.
When you’ve completed all these steps, you’ll be a certified attorney, ready to build your career as a corporate lawyer.
Best Degrees for Business Lawyers
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 68% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,720 per 6-month term.
Sample careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Account executive
- Business analyst
- Program manager
- Director or senior director
- Vice president
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
College of Business
Our online university degree programs start on the first of every month, all year long.
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
What Skills Does a Business Lawyer Need?
Career counselors who can see beyond what their clients can’t, will find themselves rewarded in not only the success of their role but also emotionally. Career counselors need empathy and kindness just as much as training and technical skill.
If you are interested in becoming a career counselor, you will need a balance of hard and soft skills, some of which include:
- An analytical mind: able to quickly solve problems and issues for your business clients.
- Clear communication skills: you may be meeting clients from diverse backgrounds and different countries.
- Research skills: you need to know or find what laws or regulations apply in each specific matter, no matter how obscure.
- Teamwork skills: few lawyers work alone, so being comfortable working in a team is essential.
- Excellent written skills: You’ll be charged with preparing various legal documents, so being a confident writer is a must.
How much does a Business Lawyer make?
$126,930
The median average pay for attorneys was $126,930 in 2020. The top 10% of lawyers earn around $208,000 per year, while those in the lower 10% make $61,490. The location and size of the organization or company that you work for will make a large difference to your yearly income. And the longer you stay on at a company, the more you’re likely to make.
What is the job outlook for a Business Lawyer?
4%
The growth outlook for lawyers is currently 4% for the 2019 to 2029 period, which is in line with the national average. Being a lawyer is a stable job, but they do tend to work long hours, including weekends and holidays. And if you’re on retainer you can expect to be called up at any time to sort out any legal emergencies that may occur.
Where does Business Lawyer work?
In office
Most business lawyers can be found in the office, though traveling to meet clients in various locations and places is common. You might be asked to accompany someone on a business trip or to meet prospective clients abroad, depending on the scope of the organization that you work for.