What Lawyer Makes the Most Money?

Attorneys who specialize in one area of law tend to make more money than general practitioners; it depends on demand for their services.
Whomever an attorney works for has an enormous effect on their earning potential, with large corporations or high-net-worth individuals affording premium billing rates for representation.
Corporate Attorneys
Your specialization makes an impactful statement about who you are as an attorney; however, other considerations also play a part – for instance, firm size and location will have an effect on earnings.
Lawyers working in major cities typically make more than those practicing law in smaller regions. Your employer size also plays a factor, with first-year associates at large New York firms often earning significantly less than partners in those firms.
Your school experience and types of cases you handle both have an effect on earnings. Attorneys specializing in criminal law typically make more than those handling civil rights cases. Lawyers working in corporate law typically earn more than lawyers practicing other areas of the law; corporate lawyers counsel their clients on business transactions while assuring compliance with laws; they review contracts and make recommendations to help their clients make smart decisions for their business.
Patent Litigation Attorneys
Attorneys with both law and technology backgrounds can find rewarding careers as patent litigation attorneys. Specializing in protecting intellectual property rights of inventions, these experts typically command higher pay than their peers. Furthermore, they handle an array of legal issues that necessitate both technical and legal knowledge to resolve.
MoloLamken LLP stands out as an outstanding boutique law firm for their impressive intellectual property practice and their ability to manage complex cases successfully. They have secured favorable patent infringement verdicts and PTAB decisions for clients like Wagner Aeronautical and Express Mobile while appearing before the U.S. Supreme Court as witnesses in precedent-setting matters.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP boasts an outstanding track record in patent litigation. With its highly competent patent litigation team and notable client representation such as Qualcomm and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe boasts outstanding cross-jurisdictional capabilities for protecting multinational technology and medical device firms before ITC tribunals, US district courts and internationally.
Tax Attorneys
As tax laws become more complex and businesses seek ways to mitigate their tax liabilities, demand for qualified tax attorneys continues to rise. An average first-year salary for tax lawyers stands at around $85,681.
Tax attorneys offer their expertise in financial decisions related to taxes, assist their clients during legal tax proceedings, and analyze business strategies. Their forte lies in solving complex problems while possessing keen attention to detail.
Nate Strand, a tax attorney from New York City, provides assistance for both individuals and small business owners facing various forms of financial dispute. His services include penalty abatement negotiation and stopping IRS levies from the government, audit representation services as well as handling residency, state, and location tax matters.
Trial lawyers earn the highest hourly salary in the legal industry. As persuasive courtroom performers who can quickly adapt in response to mounting evidence, trial lawyers need to be agile enough to quickly concoct strategic plans on the fly while remaining within established laws and making use of precedents for maximum advantage.
Real Estate Attorneys
Few business transactions are as complex and symbolic of financial resources than those involving real estate, so it should come as no surprise that attorneys who specialize in property transaction legalities often charge high fees for their services.
According to industry insiders in New York, top real estate lawyers can command rates of $1,000 or more per hour, according to reports from insiders. These attorneys know all about complex real estate deals inside out; their connections may make all the difference – for instance spotting an obscure zoning rule detail which saves millions when filing variance applications for their client.
How much you earn as a real estate attorney depends on several factors, including education, certifications and skills acquired during practice time. But you could increase your salary significantly with various strategies like moving to a higher-tier firm or gaining management experience.