A lawyer is a specialist in legal matters and tasks. His main duties include the analysis of laws, ordinances and judgments, the counsel of clients and the representation in court. Lawyers work in various fields, including criminal law, civil law, corporate law and administrative law. They draw up legal opinions, represent clients in legal matters and contribute to the development of law.
In Germany, the average annual salary varies greatly depending on the employer, field of work and region. The average annual salary is between 52.762 € and 78.000 €. In Baden-Württemberg, the average salary is about 7801 €, while in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern it is only about 55.406 €. In large law firms, starting salaries of over 180.000 € are possible, while in the public service an starting salary of of 55.5 € for the A13 salary group is realistic. Judges and lawyers in the R2 salary group earn about 73.0407.
In order to become a lawyer, a degree in law is usually required, which ends with the first state examination in law. After the degree, a practical phase is known as a referenda and ends with the second state examination in law. In some cases, additional qualifications, such as a master's degree in law or specialist lawyer training, can be advantageous.
Lawyers have a wide range of career opportunities. They can work in law firms, companies, public institutions or international organizations. Within the profession there are numerous specialisations, such as family law, tax law or economics. With appropriate experience, there is also the possibility of working in management positions or in science.
