Also called: Big Law Associate, M&A Attorney, Transactional Attorney
Advises companies on deals, mergers, contracts, and the rules that govern how businesses are run.
A big-firm associate might spend the morning on a video call with a client buying a company, then hours combing through contracts to find hidden risks. When a deal closes, the team may work until 2 a.m. getting signatures lined up. The work is intense, but first-year pay at large firms starts around $225,000.
Huge spread: large-firm first-years start ~$225k; small-firm corporate lawyers earn far less. Partners can earn $1M+.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 7 years after high school. Bachelor's in any subject, then a 3-year Juris Doctor (JD) and passing the state bar exam.
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Economics, Political Science, Business, Finance, Philosophy.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). BLS projection for all lawyers (2024-34).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI drafts contracts and runs due diligence, so firms hire fewer junior associates; negotiating deals and advising clients stays human.
Classes: AP English Language, Economics, AP U.S. Government, Debate or speech.
Official data: O*NET occupation 23-1011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.