how much does a commercial litigation lawyer make?
how much does a commercial litigation lawyer make? in the washington dc area?
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Marissa T
June 8, 2011 1:16 pm
What are the areas of practice for a commercial litigation law firm?
I am applying for a position with a law firm that handles commercial liability. Does anyone know what commercial liability is exactly? In what areas do the attorneys typically practice?
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
mailaccount63
June 12, 2011 4:38 pm
Not as much as you think.
Choosing a career is one of life’s most important and difficult decisions.
The legal profession is dramatically changing and is in absolute CRISIS!!! Job searching in this vocational field has changed DRASTICALLY in the last five years. And, every year, more and more people graduate from law school, but there are fewer and fewer jobs. Even the largest and most reputable law firms are experiencing unprecedented cutbacks. I don’t expect the situation to improve in the coming years…..
Be aware of what you are proposing on getting yourself into. Please do more research first. Reminder: We are in a World-wide Recession. Consider career paths that have available JOBS.< <<<<
Warning> Jobs in the field of Law are drying up fast!! This is just not a good field to invest time and/or money into. This is a SHRINKING, crumbling, and dying vocational field. Many reasons. We now have computers. So, many people today (mistakenly) think they can do their own legal work, thanks to the Internet. Also, there are a lot of companies out there making very efficient legal software for the field of Law. Today’s graduating lawyers tend to be very computer savvy, so they just do the work themselves to save themselves the cost of overhead. Also, the “Public” buys this legal software in order to get legal work done without the cost of an Attorney. Also, we simply already have way too many Legal Professionals – we have an absolute glut!! (“Legal Professionals” includes, but is not limited to: Attorneys/Lawyers, Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Legal Secretaries, Bailiffs, Court Reporters, etc, etc)
Sites like legalzoom.com have taken away work that many small-time attorneys/lawyers would do.
The field of Law has a mystique that actually exceeds reality. The field of Law is an overrated career – mostly by television. There are many myths regarding the field of Law: working as a Lawyer is mentally challenging (Actually, most work as an attorney involves routine paperwork: research, cite checking, drafting documents, and document review. Attorneys need to write down and track every activity they do, all day long [in 6 to 15 minutes increments, depending on the billing system] – a painstaking but necessary task), being an attorney is thrilling, high-powered, and glamorous (remember: television is FICTION – the fictional lawyers on TV are ACTORS – the majority of work that an attorney does, does not happen in a courtroom), law students think that because they are good at arguing they will become great attorneys (actually being a great attorney is more in one’s ability to mediate between differing sides and bringing them to agreement), as a lawyer I can correct injustices (actually legal decisions are more about reaching compromises than about right vs. wrong), guaranteed financial success (actually when salaries are compared, you also need to account for cost-of living expenses [most large law firms are in large cities - the bigger the city, the more cost-of-living expenses will be], payment of debts accrued while attending law school, and time needed to build a client base. Many large law firms require lawyers to work 60-80 hours per week.).
Cost of law school to be lawyer, approx $150,000+.
Be prepared to take on a LOT of debt!!!< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
There are no jobs in this vocational field. My family, coworkers, friends, acqaintances, etc. have been laid off left and right in this vocational field.
Employers (usually law firms) in the field of Law today want employees with degrees from traditional colleges/universities. Those "certificates" you see advertised aren't worth the paper they are printed on - they are generally scams. (I found this out the hard way.) Also, the law school's program needs to be accredited by the American Bar Association - if it isn't, you are just wasting your time/money.
Even if you finish law school, you won't be able to find a job when you are done. Since this vocational field is shrinking, many new attorneys/lawyers are, themselves, having to work "down" as Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Legal Secretaries, Bailiffs, Court Reporters, etc, etc, to simply try to keep some of their bills paid <
Now... the law schools know this, but they won't tell you the truth >that the job market/economy is just SATURATED with way too many Legal Professionals. Instead the schools will feed you a fairytale and will LIE to you. The root of the problem is we have too many law schools. We are in a recession, and the schools are fighting for their own survival – they will tell students anything to get to the students’ money. (Which is why they won’t tell you the truth about the job market for the field of Law.) And these schools continue to recruit and churn out even more graduates………….Remember: law schools are BUSINESSES – their top concern is making money for themselves.
>>>>>THE MOST IMPORTANT THING (and I can’t stress this enough): You ESPECIALLY have to beware of the bogus, inflated law school salary/job stats given out by law schools and by the Bureau of Labor!!!*****< <<<<
If you don't believe me, then just do a SEARCH here on Yahoo Answers to see what other posters are saying about the current status of the field of Law. Call some local law firms - ask to speak to the Manager of Human Resources - ask them if they are hiring; ask them what they think about job availability in the field of Law..................
In the book "So You Want to be a Lawyer?" by Marianne Calabrese and Susanne Calabrese (ISBN 0-88391-136-1): "The United States has more lawyers than any other country in the world. About 38,000 students graduate >each year< from the 200+ law schools in the United States. The competition is very keen for jobs and clients." - Even Associate Justice Antonin Scalia (who served on the U.S. Supreme Court for more than 20 years) says there are too many lawyers. (9/14/2008)
Check out these websites: http://informeddecisionmaking.blogspot.com
http://calicocat.com/2004/08/law-school-big-lie.html
http://abajournal.com/news/triplt_bad_news_for_law_students_three_firms_aX_summer_associate_programs/
http://abajournal.com/news/as_rio_tinto_saves_millions_other_corps_will_outsource_too_counsel_says/
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/02/03/dont-try-to-dodge-the-recession-with-grad-school/
http://lawschoolscam.blogspot.com
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/another-view-lock-the-law-school-doors/?ref=business
http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2009/09/15/News/Law-Students.Face.Tough.Job.Market-3771810.shtml
http://thirdtierreality.blogspot.com/
(A link to a website does not constitute endorsement.)
If you want a job when you are done with your studies, consider and look into the fields of: >>>Healthcare, Information Technology, Law ENFORCEMENT, environmentalism, emergency planning, accounting, education, entertainment, utilities, home-car-commercial-industrial repairs, vice industries, clergy, and/or debt collection. I spoke to a career counselor from Jobs and Family Services, and HE told me that these areas are where the jobs are, and future job opportunities/availability….and scholarships.
Good luck.
(This is based on my current knowledge, information, belief, and life experiences. This was intended as personal opinion, and not intended to be used as legal advice. Please be careful and do your research.)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Random Guy from Texas
July 3, 2011 4:54 pm
Give some thought to where you will be in 5 years, and that will tell you a lot.
I think your instincts about the commerical litigation job are probably spot on, given the extra pay and the better future job prospects.
You should also consider office environment before making the final commitment. Now that they have made a firm offer, perhaps it is time to tour the place and talk to people who actually work there, if you haven’t done so already.
A jeans environment with little overtime that gives generous paid vacation, might not pay as well in gross dollars, but would allow you to go to night school and/or pursue other things that make you happy or more successful in the long run.
You could also go back to the real estate law firm and try to renegotiate a higher offer, if it is something you might be interested in, but the money is holding you back.
I hope this helps a bit.
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Randa
July 5, 2011 7:32 am
Commercial litigation is the handling of disputes in a business setting. The disputes may be minor, or complicated.
Complex business litigation is just that. It usually involves many parties, lots of documents, and a great deal of money. Complex business litigation is a subset of commercial litigation. It is a more specialized practice.
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Tara P
July 9, 2011 1:35 pm
I practice commercial litigation. Essentially we do resolve disputes between persons or entities that involve contracts, fiduciariy duties, fraud. Usually the cases involve breach of contract and all of the other issues that go along with it, such as misrepresentation, fraud, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation. We also get into some professional liability issues. Did you take UCC? If so, that pretty much covers most of the issues. However, many firms that practice commercial litigation really practice more than what is truly “commercial” and do more general litigation work, even torts or some white collar defense.
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Florida266
July 15, 2011 7:23 pm
Lawyer referral in Tampa, Florida, commercial litigation who works for a contingency fee?
I need financial restitution for a vehicle I purchased which was repossessed due to error and omission of pertinent information regarding the transaction and the finance company and dealership are saying I can’t get any money back. It wad error entirely on their part.
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Lisa G
July 24, 2011 9:51 pm
What is the difference between complex business litigation and commercial litigation?
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
please wait...
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VA:F [1.9.15_1155]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
NYCasian
July 26, 2011 4:38 pm
2 Job Offers: Real Estate Tax Law or Commercial Litigation?
Hi Yahooligans!
I received 2 job offers, both are legal assistant/paralegal positions. Both are small boutique law firms and located in the same vicinity.
One specializes in real estate law and minimizing taxes (starting $28,000 and 3 month probationary period) and the second specializes in commercial litigation (starting $35,000 and 6 month probationary period).
Which would you choose and why? I’m leaning towards the commercial litigation law firm because of the money and I feel commercial litigation is more broad. Thanks for your time and advice!
May 14, 2011
6:57 pm
how much does a commercial litigation lawyer make?
how much does a commercial litigation lawyer make? in the washington dc area?
June 8, 2011
1:16 pm
What are the areas of practice for a commercial litigation law firm?
I am applying for a position with a law firm that handles commercial liability. Does anyone know what commercial liability is exactly? In what areas do the attorneys typically practice?
June 12, 2011
4:38 pm
Not as much as you think.
Choosing a career is one of life’s most important and difficult decisions.
The legal profession is dramatically changing and is in absolute CRISIS!!! Job searching in this vocational field has changed DRASTICALLY in the last five years. And, every year, more and more people graduate from law school, but there are fewer and fewer jobs. Even the largest and most reputable law firms are experiencing unprecedented cutbacks. I don’t expect the situation to improve in the coming years…..
Be aware of what you are proposing on getting yourself into. Please do more research first. Reminder: We are in a World-wide Recession. Consider career paths that have available JOBS.< <<<<
Warning> Jobs in the field of Law are drying up fast!! This is just not a good field to invest time and/or money into. This is a SHRINKING, crumbling, and dying vocational field. Many reasons. We now have computers. So, many people today (mistakenly) think they can do their own legal work, thanks to the Internet. Also, there are a lot of companies out there making very efficient legal software for the field of Law. Today’s graduating lawyers tend to be very computer savvy, so they just do the work themselves to save themselves the cost of overhead. Also, the “Public” buys this legal software in order to get legal work done without the cost of an Attorney. Also, we simply already have way too many Legal Professionals – we have an absolute glut!! (“Legal Professionals” includes, but is not limited to: Attorneys/Lawyers, Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Legal Secretaries, Bailiffs, Court Reporters, etc, etc)
Sites like legalzoom.com have taken away work that many small-time attorneys/lawyers would do.
The field of Law has a mystique that actually exceeds reality. The field of Law is an overrated career – mostly by television. There are many myths regarding the field of Law: working as a Lawyer is mentally challenging (Actually, most work as an attorney involves routine paperwork: research, cite checking, drafting documents, and document review. Attorneys need to write down and track every activity they do, all day long [in 6 to 15 minutes increments, depending on the billing system] – a painstaking but necessary task), being an attorney is thrilling, high-powered, and glamorous (remember: television is FICTION – the fictional lawyers on TV are ACTORS – the majority of work that an attorney does, does not happen in a courtroom), law students think that because they are good at arguing they will become great attorneys (actually being a great attorney is more in one’s ability to mediate between differing sides and bringing them to agreement), as a lawyer I can correct injustices (actually legal decisions are more about reaching compromises than about right vs. wrong), guaranteed financial success (actually when salaries are compared, you also need to account for cost-of living expenses [most large law firms are in large cities - the bigger the city, the more cost-of-living expenses will be], payment of debts accrued while attending law school, and time needed to build a client base. Many large law firms require lawyers to work 60-80 hours per week.).
Cost of law school to be lawyer, approx $150,000+.
Be prepared to take on a LOT of debt!!!< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
There are no jobs in this vocational field. My family, coworkers, friends, acqaintances, etc. have been laid off left and right in this vocational field.
Employers (usually law firms) in the field of Law today want employees with degrees from traditional colleges/universities. Those "certificates" you see advertised aren't worth the paper they are printed on - they are generally scams. (I found this out the hard way.) Also, the law school's program needs to be accredited by the American Bar Association - if it isn't, you are just wasting your time/money.
Even if you finish law school, you won't be able to find a job when you are done. Since this vocational field is shrinking, many new attorneys/lawyers are, themselves, having to work "down" as Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Legal Secretaries, Bailiffs, Court Reporters, etc, etc, to simply try to keep some of their bills paid <
VA:F [1.9.15_1155] please wait... Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast) VA:F [1.9.15_1155] Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Now... the law schools know this, but they won't tell you the truth >that the job market/economy is just SATURATED with way too many Legal Professionals. Instead the schools will feed you a fairytale and will LIE to you. The root of the problem is we have too many law schools. We are in a recession, and the schools are fighting for their own survival – they will tell students anything to get to the students’ money. (Which is why they won’t tell you the truth about the job market for the field of Law.) And these schools continue to recruit and churn out even more graduates………….Remember: law schools are BUSINESSES – their top concern is making money for themselves.
>>>>>THE MOST IMPORTANT THING (and I can’t stress this enough): You ESPECIALLY have to beware of the bogus, inflated law school salary/job stats given out by law schools and by the Bureau of Labor!!!*****< <<<<
If you don't believe me, then just do a SEARCH here on Yahoo Answers to see what other posters are saying about the current status of the field of Law. Call some local law firms - ask to speak to the Manager of Human Resources - ask them if they are hiring; ask them what they think about job availability in the field of Law..................
In the book "So You Want to be a Lawyer?" by Marianne Calabrese and Susanne Calabrese (ISBN 0-88391-136-1): "The United States has more lawyers than any other country in the world. About 38,000 students graduate >each year< from the 200+ law schools in the United States. The competition is very keen for jobs and clients." - Even Associate Justice Antonin Scalia (who served on the U.S. Supreme Court for more than 20 years) says there are too many lawyers. (9/14/2008)
Check out these websites: http://informeddecisionmaking.blogspot.com
http://calicocat.com/2004/08/law-school-big-lie.html
http://abajournal.com/news/triplt_bad_news_for_law_students_three_firms_aX_summer_associate_programs/
http://abajournal.com/news/as_rio_tinto_saves_millions_other_corps_will_outsource_too_counsel_says/
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/02/03/dont-try-to-dodge-the-recession-with-grad-school/
http://lawschoolscam.blogspot.com
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/another-view-lock-the-law-school-doors/?ref=business
http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2009/09/15/News/Law-Students.Face.Tough.Job.Market-3771810.shtml
http://thirdtierreality.blogspot.com/
(A link to a website does not constitute endorsement.)
If you want a job when you are done with your studies, consider and look into the fields of: >>>Healthcare, Information Technology, Law ENFORCEMENT, environmentalism, emergency planning, accounting, education, entertainment, utilities, home-car-commercial-industrial repairs, vice industries, clergy, and/or debt collection. I spoke to a career counselor from Jobs and Family Services, and HE told me that these areas are where the jobs are, and future job opportunities/availability….and scholarships.
Good luck.
(This is based on my current knowledge, information, belief, and life experiences. This was intended as personal opinion, and not intended to be used as legal advice. Please be careful and do your research.)
July 3, 2011
4:54 pm
Give some thought to where you will be in 5 years, and that will tell you a lot.
I think your instincts about the commerical litigation job are probably spot on, given the extra pay and the better future job prospects.
You should also consider office environment before making the final commitment. Now that they have made a firm offer, perhaps it is time to tour the place and talk to people who actually work there, if you haven’t done so already.
A jeans environment with little overtime that gives generous paid vacation, might not pay as well in gross dollars, but would allow you to go to night school and/or pursue other things that make you happy or more successful in the long run.
You could also go back to the real estate law firm and try to renegotiate a higher offer, if it is something you might be interested in, but the money is holding you back.
I hope this helps a bit.
July 5, 2011
7:32 am
Commercial litigation is the handling of disputes in a business setting. The disputes may be minor, or complicated.
Complex business litigation is just that. It usually involves many parties, lots of documents, and a great deal of money. Complex business litigation is a subset of commercial litigation. It is a more specialized practice.
July 9, 2011
1:35 pm
I practice commercial litigation. Essentially we do resolve disputes between persons or entities that involve contracts, fiduciariy duties, fraud. Usually the cases involve breach of contract and all of the other issues that go along with it, such as misrepresentation, fraud, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation. We also get into some professional liability issues. Did you take UCC? If so, that pretty much covers most of the issues. However, many firms that practice commercial litigation really practice more than what is truly “commercial” and do more general litigation work, even torts or some white collar defense.
July 15, 2011
7:23 pm
Lawyer referral in Tampa, Florida, commercial litigation who works for a contingency fee?
I need financial restitution for a vehicle I purchased which was repossessed due to error and omission of pertinent information regarding the transaction and the finance company and dealership are saying I can’t get any money back. It wad error entirely on their part.
July 24, 2011
9:51 pm
What is the difference between complex business litigation and commercial litigation?
July 26, 2011
4:38 pm
2 Job Offers: Real Estate Tax Law or Commercial Litigation?
Hi Yahooligans!
I received 2 job offers, both are legal assistant/paralegal positions. Both are small boutique law firms and located in the same vicinity.
One specializes in real estate law and minimizing taxes (starting $28,000 and 3 month probationary period) and the second specializes in commercial litigation (starting $35,000 and 6 month probationary period).
Which would you choose and why? I’m leaning towards the commercial litigation law firm because of the money and I feel commercial litigation is more broad. Thanks for your time and advice!