Also called: Government Investigations Attorney, Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyer
Defends executives and companies accused of fraud, bribery, insider trading, and other financial crimes.
These lawyers often get the first call when the FBI shows up at a company. They interview executives, dig through emails and spreadsheets to rebuild what really happened, negotiate with federal prosecutors, and go to trial if needed. Many are former federal prosecutors.
Large-firm and boutique pay; partners can earn far more. Estimate.
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 (any major), then a 3-year J.D. and the bar exam.
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Accounting, Economics, Political Science, Criminal Justice.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS lawyers, 2025-35 projection.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI searches emails and financial records in investigations; interviewing executives and defending them to prosecutors stays human.
Classes: Accounting, AP U.S. Government, Economics, Speech and debate.
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.