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How Much Does An Attorney Make A Year?
An attorney’s salary depends on many factors, including the type of lawyer they are, their location and experience level. Let’s look at the average salary of an attorney in Los Angeles, California, as well as the salary of top earners in the city.
Private Practice
Attorneys working in private practice often make the most money. For example, in Los Angeles, the average salary of a lawyer in private practice ranges from $106,000 to $180,000, depending on experience level. For those just starting out, salaries can range from $60,000 to $80,000. At the top end, senior partners at large firms can make more than $1 million.
Government Jobs
Lawyers employed by the government tend to make less money than those in private practice, but salaries typically come with generous benefits. For example, lawyers in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office make an average salary of $107,000, while lawyers employed by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office make an average salary of $90,000. In addition, government lawyers often receive subsidized health benefits, pension plans and housing allowances.
Corporate Jobs
Attorneys who work as in-house counsel for large corporations tend to make good money. Salaries range from $90,000 to $150,000, depending on the company. In addition, many corporate jobs come with bonuses and stock options, which can dramatically increase total earnings.
Top Lawyers
At the top end of the legal profession, there are a few super-elite attorneys who make millions of dollars per year. These top-flight attorneys tend to practice in Los Angeles and specialize in areas such as entertainment law or high-stakes litigation. According to Forbes, the highest-paid lawyer in Los Angeles in 2019 was David Boies, who earned an estimated $27 million.
What type of lawyer makes the most money? Attorneys who work in private practice often make the most money. Senior partners at large firms can make more than $1 million per year.
Do lawyers make a good amount of money? Yes, lawyers in Los Angeles typically make a good amount of money, ranging from $106,000 to over $1 million depending on experience level and type of job. Additionally, many jobs come with bonuses and stock options.
How much do top lawyers in LA make? The highest-paid lawyer in Los Angeles in 2019 was David Boies, who earned an estimated $27 million.
How much does a starting lawyer earn in LA? Salaries for starting lawyers in Los Angeles range from $60,000 to $80,000.