Lawyers held about 778,700 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most lawyers were as follows:
Legal services
48%
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
7
State government, excluding education and hospitals
5
Federal government
5
Finance and insurance
3
About 1 in 5 lawyers were self-employed in 2014.
Lawyers work mostly in offices. However, some travel to attend meetings with clients at various locations, such as homes, hospitals, or prisons. Others travel to appear before courts. Lawyers may face heavy pressure during work, for example during trials or when trying to meet deadlines.
Work Schedules
The majority of lawyers work full time, and many work more than the usual 40 hours per week. Lawyers who are in private practice or those who work in large firms often work additional hours, conducting research and preparing and reviewing documents.