As a lawyer, you can choose from two main tracks — public and private practice. Depending on your interests and preferences, you can work for corporations, private firms, or companies as a private legal counsel. But if you wish to work for the state or government, then being a public lawyer is the path for you. Depending on your preferences and goals, each track presents various options for you as a legal defender.
In private practice
As a private attorney, you can set up your own law firm, or work for a firm or corporation as a legal counsel. Cutthroat competition and politics are more felt in private law firms, especially if the usual cases they handle involve rich, powerful, and influential figures. If you plan to set up your own firm, your salary will depend on the client base you have and the number of cases your firm plans to handle. Practicing law in private is of course, more lucrative. The higher your position is in a company or law firm, the higher your salary is.
In public practice
The government or state employs lawyers, and if one is a public lawyer, he or she would usually be given the responsibility of giving legal counsel to those who could not afford a private attorney. Majority of cases shouldered by a public defender are criminal cases, but quasi-criminal cases could also come up. The salary of a public lawyer is the responsibility of the state or government. There are times when one would be called upon to perform pro bono work. Being a public lawyer may not be as lucrative as compared to being a private lawyer, but benefits such as civil protection continue to attract many lawyers to go in public practice. If you wish to enjoy a higher salary, such as those working at the US Attorney’s Office, you can join the Federal Public Defenders.
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