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Lawyers and Quebec notaries (NOC 4112)

High opportunity occupation
Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Insights from industry Related careers Career paths and resources
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About this job

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters in negotiations and mediations. They also draft legal documents and represent clients before courts of law, tribunals and administrative bodies.

Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a lawyer is like.

Common job titles
  • adviser / counsel, legislative
  • adviser, legal / law and corporate affairs
  • attorney / attorney-at-law
  • lawyer / counsel, immigration
  • lawyer / counsel, in-house / staff counsel
  • lawyer / counsel, insurance
  • adviser / counsel, legislative
  • adviser, legal / law and corporate affairs
  • attorney / attorney-at-law
  • attorney, claim
  • attorney, Crown / prosecutor
  • attorney, regional / county

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$115,621

Source: 2019 Wage Bank Data Median employment income from 2016 Census

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

N/A - Data not available

Source: 2019 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2019 - 2024
  • 2024 - 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 5,160

  • 2019
  • 2024
  • 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
38.1%
1,960 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
61.9%
3,180 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2019:
150
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.8%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
50
Kootenay
Employment in 2019:
120
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.5%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
30
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2019:
9,150
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
1.7%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
3,920
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2019:
110
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
-0.1%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
20
Northeast
Employment in 2019:
40
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
2.5%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
20
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2019:
740
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
2.2%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
390
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2019:
1,860
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.5%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
720

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

In general, lawyers:

  • Offer legal advice to clients
  • Research legal precedents and gather evidence
  • Argue clients' cases
  • Negotiate business transactions and civil dispute settlements
  • Draft legal documents such as wills, contracts, real estate and divorce papers
  • Prepare statements of legal opinions
  • Do managerial tasks

Lawyers can also act as mediators, conciliators or arbitrators. In estate matters, they act as executors or trustees.

Lawyers can specialize in areas such as:

  • Administrative law
  • Commercial law
  • Contract law
  • Corporate law
  • Criminal law
  • Family law
  • Indigenous law
  • Intellectual property law
  • International law
  • Labour law
  • Real estate law
  • Taxation law
  • Will and estate law

Work environment

Lawyers usually work in offices and courthouses. They may travel to meet clients, attend meetings, conduct research and gather evidence.

In law firms, the hours are often very long. The work can be stressful, particularly when facing deadlines or preparing for court. Lawyers working in government or businesses may have more regular schedules.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

12,300 workers are employed
62% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:
80%
Public Administration:
10%
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate:
4%
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services:
2%
Educational Services:
1%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Insights from industry

New lawyers with high grades and related experience have better job prospects. Those willing to relocate to urban areas outside of the Lower Mainland will also find more opportunities.

Certain areas of law have higher demand. These include family, international, environmental, internet, entertainment, immigration and construction law. Openings are also available in Aboriginal rights, mediation, and intellectual property, patents and trademarks.

Downturns in the economy can mean less demand for optional legal services such as estate planning and real estate transactions.

Career paths and resources

Career paths

Lawyers can work as in-house counsel for businesses. With additional training and experience, they may become general counsel or vice-president of the company.

Lawyers can also work for government. They can advise and represent the government and prosecute criminal and regulatory cases.

Lawyers with additional training may expand their practices to include mediation or legal coaching services.

Additional resources

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Profile last updated:
January 8, 2021
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