WEBVTT

1
00:00:01.733 --> 00:00:04.566
Lawyers advise individuals, businesses,

2
00:00:04.566 --> 00:00:06.132
and government agencies

3
00:00:06.133 --> 00:00:08.066
on legal issues and disputes,

4
00:00:08.066 --> 00:00:09.532
and represent them in court

5
00:00:09.533 --> 00:00:11.133
and legal transactions.

6
00:00:11.133 --> 00:00:12.699
Also called attorneys,

7
00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:14.266
lawyers inform their clients

8
00:00:14.266 --> 00:00:16.299
about their legal rights and obligations,

9
00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:17.766
and help steer them

10
00:00:17.766 --> 00:00:19.599
through the complexities of the law.

11
00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.733
They also advocate for their clients in court

12
00:00:21.733 --> 00:00:23.333
by presenting evidence

13
00:00:23.333 --> 00:00:25.099
and making legal arguments.

14
00:00:25.100 --> 00:00:26.700
Lawyers conduct research

15
00:00:26.700 --> 00:00:28.100
and prepare documents,

16
00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:30.300
such as lawsuits, wills, and contracts.

17
00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:32.600
They also oversee the work of paralegals

18
00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:34.533
and legal secretaries.

19
00:00:34.533 --> 00:00:36.233
Lawyers work for law firms,

20
00:00:36.233 --> 00:00:38.299
governments, and corporations.

21
00:00:38.300 --> 00:00:40.700
In government, prosecutors are the attorneys

22
00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:42.466
who file charges against those

23
00:00:42.466 --> 00:00:44.366
accused of violating the law,

24
00:00:44.366 --> 00:00:46.066
while public defenders represent

25
00:00:46.066 --> 00:00:47.699
individuals who cannot afford

26
00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:49.433
to pay an attorney.

27
00:00:49.433 --> 00:00:50.899
Lawyers who work in law firms

28
00:00:50.900 --> 00:00:52.666
often start as associates,

29
00:00:52.666 --> 00:00:54.432
and may advance to partnership,

30
00:00:54.433 --> 00:00:56.599
or part owner, in their firm.

31
00:00:56.600 --> 00:00:58.000
Those who do not make partner

32
00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:00.466
after several years may be forced to leave,

33
00:01:00.466 --> 00:01:03.266
a practice known as “up or out.”

34
00:01:03.266 --> 00:01:05.566
Lawyers may specialize in a subject area,

35
00:01:05.566 --> 00:01:07.832
such as environmental law, tax,

36
00:01:07.833 --> 00:01:10.299
intellectual property, or family law.

37
00:01:10.300 --> 00:01:12.033
Most lawyers work in offices,

38
00:01:12.033 --> 00:01:13.666
and travel to visit clients

39
00:01:13.666 --> 00:01:15.832
or represent their clients in court.

40
00:01:15.833 --> 00:01:17.699
They generally keep full-time hours,

41
00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:19.600
and overtime is common.

42
00:01:19.600 --> 00:01:21.833
Attorneys may face heavy pressure at times—

43
00:01:21.833 --> 00:01:23.599
for example, during trials

44
00:01:23.600 --> 00:01:25.666
or when trying to meet deadlines.

45
00:01:25.666 --> 00:01:28.032
It usually takes three years of law school

46
00:01:28.033 --> 00:01:30.299
after college to become a lawyer.

47
00:01:30.300 --> 00:01:31.866
All states require lawyers

48
00:01:31.866 --> 00:01:33.466
to pass licensing tests

49
00:01:33.466 --> 00:01:36.099
called “bar exams” to practice law.

50
00:01:36.100 --> 00:01:38.200
Prior felony convictions

51
00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:41.566
may disqualify candidates from practicing law.