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Virtual reality for lawyers - Internet Newsletter for Lawyers    ( 17 January 2017).

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The basic idea of virtual reality (VR) is to create a computer generated environment which someone can experience and explore, through the use of a headset (incorporating vision and sound) and sometimes other input devices (eg haptic gloves) which allow them to manipulate their virtual surroundings. The concept of a computer simulated reality is nothing new and experiments with VR systems were already being carried out in the late 60s (eg The Sword of Damocles). Advances in technology during the late 80s and early 90s led to an increasing cultural awareness of VR through films such as Lawnmower Man - and the rise of computer games prompted more companies to attempt to create a device which could be used in the same way as a home console. But progress was slow, with a trailblazing attempt by Sega in 1993 terminated, officially due to fears that users could injure themselves by moving around due to the "reality" of the headset (although perhaps more to do with limited processing power and reports of testers developing headaches and motion sickness). However, although it struggled to take off as a consumer device, VR systems have been used for many years for training in certain professions: teaching pilots to fly, police officers to shoot and surgeons to operate.

Why is VR important now?

There has recently been a resurgence in virtual reality, largely due to the capability and affordability of processing power which can handle the requirements necessary to create an enjoyable virtual experience. Playstation and Google both launched VR gaming systems in late 2016 to complement the PS4 console and Pixel phone respectively. Facebook owned Oculus Rift and HTC are also competing in the VR space. With these big players investing resources to bring computer generated gaming environments to the consumer market, this could be a turning point for VR.

As well as pure gaming, VR is also being used for the "gamification" of training. VR lends itself very well to this idea of making training fun. One learning simulation making use of the Oculus Rift system is helping law students at the University of Westminster get to grips with criminal law. VR could also be used in the professional training of lawyers, either to achieve learning outcomes or to navigate a courtroom. Aside from training, VR could potentially be used to create virtual courtrooms so that evidence can be given by witnesses remotely.

It's also worth pointing out that augmented reality (AR) - which is related but distinct to VR - has already had a commercial breakthrough recently with the Pokemon Go craze. This raised various novel legal issues, some of which may also apply to VR.

The legal issues surrounding VR

Product liability

As previously mentioned, the side effects of earlier VR attempts were headaches and "virtual motion" sickness. The new wave of VR seems to be afflicted with similar issues, with some journalists suffering what has been described as "simulator sickness" - although many people appear to be completely unaffected. Games manufacturers may need to provide warnings to users of their VR offerings about the potential for headaches and sickness - similar to the now-ubiquitous epilepsy warnings; Playstation is already doing so.

When Sega abandoned its initial stab at VR, it cited fears of personal injury. With more realistic computer generated environments, the possibility of a user falling over is far greater - as demonstrated by one gamer enthusiastically climbing a virtual rock face. The fact that visual and aural senses of one's immediate environment are essentially blocked by a VR headset means that users are particularly vulnerable. Nintendo has already had to contend with safety criticisms and litigation in relation to its Wiimotes and the potential for its immersive gaming system to cause damage.

The Pokemon Go fad also raised issues of product liability, particularly in relation to the distraction of players who were more focused on the augmented reality on their phones rather than the actual reality of their surroundings, and consequently walked (or drove) around in a zombie-like state, causing accidents or entering dangerous locations. In this respect, VR is safer than AR, because it is generally designed to be played in a static location, but the issues of distraction and decreased spatial awareness still need to be tackled.

Data protection and privacy

As with most computer software, VR systems have the capability to store and process substantial amounts of private individual data. However, beyond the standard types of captured data, the use of a virtual reality headset in conjunction with other input devices can potentially access far more personal data. Reaction times to in-game events, dexterity and ease of movement could build up a health profile of individual users. Eye tracking technology (such as that available in the Fove VR headset) is far more intrusive than cookies or click-tracking and is one step closer to thought-monitoring and all the dystopian Orwellian fears that accompany this concept.

The forthcoming GDPR and potential of eye watering fines for data protection breaches means that VR hardware manufacturers and software developers need to ensure privacy guards are in place for consumers and that all data is processed and stored securely and only used if permission has been explicitly given.

Patents and IP

The amount of technology - both hardware and software - that goes into developing VR systems inevitably means that intellectual property plays a big part in commercial agreements and disputes. Patents will be held on the various unique capabilities of headsets, VR gloves and other input devices. Software may be protected under patents and copyright.

However, the spectre of virtual worlds also heralds the prospect of users adding their own creations and enhancing their virtual environments with user generated content. Although terms of use will often seek to strip users of any copyright in content they generate, the personal nature of virtual worlds will likely mean that this area of law needs to be revisited.

Further reading

Wikipedia: Virtual Reality

Hamlins: Virtual Reality and the legal issues specific to VR Gaming

Computer Business Review: Securing Mind-Hacking Virtual Worlds

Harbottle & Lewis: VR: Not all legal plain sailing ahead

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips (USA): Legal Issues in VR
Alex Heshmaty is a legal copywriter and journalist with a particular interest in legal technology. He runs Legal Words, a copywriting agency in Bristol. Email alex@legalwords.co.uk. Twitter @alexheshmaty. Image cc by re:Publica on Flickr.

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Virtual reality for lawyers - Internet Newsletter for Lawyers

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The basic idea of virtual reality (VR) is to create a computer generated environment which someone can experience and explore, through the use of a headset (incorporating vision and sound) and sometimes other input devices (eg haptic gloves) which allow them to manipulate their virtual surroundings.

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Improving Legal Outcomes With Virtual Reality (2022)

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Toby Pettinger, Managing Director at MXTreality, outlines the benefits the legal sector stands to gain by becoming an early adopter of virtual reality solutions.
Before we look at the benefits of training lawyers with Virtual Reality and what's possible, it's important to first explain what we mean by the term and define what it is and what it is not. Most people think they understand what Virtual Reality is, but tend to use the term as a catch-all descriptor for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality solutions.

Augmented Reality (AR) adds digital elements to the live view being experienced, typically by using the camera on a smartphone, like searching for virtual Pokemon Go characters in the real world.

Virtual Reality (VR) requires a totally immersive experience that typically replaces the world entirely, with headsets transporting users into a number of real-world and designed environments.

Mixed Reality (MR) combines elements of both AR and VR with scenarios that integrate real-world and digital objects to deliver realistic experiences.

The drive for realism in virtual worlds

The leading advocates in the sector now talk of 'immersive environments', which require more than just visual realism and include spatial sound, touch, motion and even heat/cold to increase the realism for trainees.

A totally immersive environment requires as many senses as possible to be stimulated, as recognised by Jonathan Steuer in his 1993 paper Defining Virtual Reality: Dimensions Determining Telepresence. This sense of immersion within a created environment, where the viewer not only sees but interacts with objects, is critical to the suspension of disbelief and ultimately the quality of the outcome, whether it's for entertainment or learning.

The leading advocates in the sector now talk of 'immersive environments', which require more than just visual realism.

The desire to create totally immersive MR environments is not just driven by a need to create scenarios difficult or dangerous to achieve in the real world, but to improve the training of skills already well-catered for with traditional methods. The construction industry has been one of the early adopters, recognising the benefit of safe, cost-effective, endlessly repeatable in virtual reality training for potentially dangerous situations, like crane operations, learning to drive a telehandler or spotting on-site hazards.

VR training delivers better learning outcomes

The idea of Virtual Reality as a training aid, not just to supplement but replace more traditional training methods is gaining wider acceptance, like the way surgeons practice their skills before they meet live patients.

Studies like the "Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Virtual Reality Tool to Teach Surgical Technique for Tibial Shaft Fracture Intramedullary Nailing", show what's possible when VR training scenarios are expertly constructed.

Last year's study at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine divided 20 participants into two groups, one to receive traditional training and the other VR training. Once training was complete, the participants repaired a fracture in the tibia of an artificial model, with the results graded by an expert observer with no knowledge of the training each surgeon received. Compared to those traditionally trained, the VR trained participants achieved an overall rating 230% higher, finishing 20% faster and completing 38% more of the steps set out in a checklist.

What VR offers the legal profession

Even relatively dry subjects can now be made experiential to engage more closely with participants, whether to simulate a setting or scenario, like a tribunal, or the layout of courtroom, even down to the detail of a specific location to put attendees at ease. High-quality 360-degree photography has been used very effectively for simple familiarisation of particular courtrooms, but more can be done.

Even relatively dry subjects can now be made experiential to engage more closely with participants.

Experiential learning can bring a different standpoint to understanding the importance and impact of, for example, the Modern Slavery Act, with individuals able to experience the issue from the perspective of the persecuted. Immersive environments can bring to life the real-world experience of an abused partner, for instance with the sights and sounds of their existence made real for the trainee.

And it's not just crash-test dummies in cartoon worlds. Software perfected to create the facial expressions of the Hulk in Marvel's 'Avengers: Endgame', bring the virtual characters to life and ensure non-verbal communication is recognised to improve immersion and improve training outcomes. The viewer will react as the subtlest of facial expressions gives away the true feelings of the virtual character; fear, surprise, anger, pain, bewilderment, confusion are all possible and endlessly repeatable in different scenarios to help lawyers perfect their interactions with real people.

These same accurate portrayals of human emotions by virtual characters can also help law firms challenge any inherent bias within the firm and within their clients' businesses, easily showing individuals what it's like to face the outcome of bias to help change future behaviours.

The future is not all about VR as entertainment or the necessary technology, but how real empathy training can bring a wider understanding to complex issues, for the benefit of all concerned.

Taking VR from law firm to Court

With access to a Court or the scene of a crime, or an accident, VR professionals can quickly build an immersive experience that allows witnesses, jurors, lawyers and even judges to walk the scene themselves, to fully understand the situation and see what could or could not have happened.

Immersive experiences can help a law firm prepare clients and witnesses for their forthcoming court experience, with views of the actual courtroom recreated in highly detailed virtual reality to allow users to walk the room and envisage their position from every angle.

When firms sometimes have a learning day involving actors and/or their peers to help train more junior fee-earners, these can be replaced by Virtual Reality solution that can be repeated endlessly, with each new intake of training contracts. Not only is this a more cost-effective, flexible, immersive and enjoyable experience that will undoubtedly improve the learning procedss, but one that pitches the firm as a leader that understands the benefits of integrating the latest technology into its business.

Adoption in the Legal Sector has been slower than others in which application may be more immediately obvious. However, a growing recognition that outcomes can be improved, training can now involve empathy and emotion as well as hands-on experience, means that we'll see greater traction in the year ahead.

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Improving Legal Outcomes With Virtual Reality

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Toby Pettinger, Managing Director at MXTreality, outlines the benefits the legal sector stands to gain by becoming an early adopter of virtual reality solutions. Before we look at the benefits of training lawyers with Virtual Reality and what's possible, it's important to first explain what we mean by the term and define what it is and what it is not.

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What are the Professional Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer? (2022)

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You cannot practice law or call yourself an attorney without first meeting the professional requirements for becoming a lawyer. These are numerous and range from meeting educational standards and performing successfully in a bar exam, to clearing moral character and background checks. Below is a comprehensive list with descriptions of the standard prerequisites for the practice of law.

Understanding what is required of lawyers before they may legally practice law may help you find a qualified attorney (or decide whether or not to enter the legal profession yourself). See FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer for related resources, including Researching Attorney Discipline and State Bar Associations.

1. Bachelor's Degree

Anyone who wants to pursue a law degree must first complete a bachelor's degree program (or its equivalent). The type of undergraduate degree is less important, but often reflects the practice area considered. For example, someone who wants to go into patent law might first pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering.

After completing your bachelor's degree, you will need to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is one of several assessment tools used by law school admissions staff.

2. Law School

The next step is to graduate from or complete at least three years at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, with slight variations from state to state. The California Bar Association, for example, requires graduation or the completion of at least four years of law school (non-accredited schools are included); four years of work in a judge's chambers program; or a study program combining those two educational methods. Vermont, Virginia, and Washington allow similar options, while New York requires at least one year of law school before completing an alternative form of legal education.

3. State Bar Exam

No matter how well you did in law school, you cannot legally practice law in a given state without passing that state's bar examination. Many attorneys have passed bar exams in several states, meaning they can practice law in each of those states.

Most bar exams take roughly 18 hours and are spread over three days, and are administered twice a year. The exam includes standardized questions and essays on a variety of areas of law used to assess an individual's understanding of the law and capacity for logical thought.

4. Character and Fitness Review

Since the practice of law is such a high stakes endeavor, involving the finances and in some cases the freedom of clients, each state bar requires applicants to undergo moral character and fitness reviews. This review includes question about academic conduct at law school; criminal history; social conduct in general; any applicable disciplinary actions while you were in college or law school; and other inquiries intended to gauge your ethical makeup.

Passage of this review is a requirement for obtaining your state law license.

5. Oath

Prospective attorneys must take a legally binding oath that they will uphold the codes and the Constitution of the United States, as well as the laws and constitution of the licensing state.

6. License

Completion of the above requirements typically results in the individual receiving his or her law license from their state's supreme court or high-court equivalent (the Court of Appeals is New York's highest court, for example). However, please check with your state's bar association for the specific requirements for a law license.

If you have additional questions about the professional requirements for becoming a lawyer, consider speaking with an attorney near you.

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What are the Professional Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer? - FindLaw

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You cannot practice law or call yourself an attorney without first meeting the professional requirements for becoming a lawyer. These are numerous and range from meeting educational standards and performing successfully in a bar exam, to clearing moral character and background checks. Below is a comprehensive list with descriptions of the standard prerequisites for the practice of law.

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9 High School and College Subjects You Need To Become a Lawyer    (2022)

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How to Become a Lawyer: Law Schools & Careers. (February 17, 2022)

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Law Schools & Careers | How To Become A Lawyer

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Learn about the education, practical steps, and experience you’ll need to become a Lawyer

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Lawyerist Media, LLC. (2022)

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Starting a law firm may be the best decision you'll ever make. In fact, it was for many of us! Unfortunately, most law schools are designed to teach you how to think like a lawyer and don't devote much time teaching you how to start and run a business.

That's where we come in. We've not only started and grown our own successful firms, but we've helped thousands of lawyers do the same. Of course, we could write an entire book on the subject (in fact, we did - check it out here), but we'll use this guide to highlight some important points and get you started in the right direction.

Let's dig in.

Should You Start a Law Firm?

Your first question: Are you ready to own and run a business? Really and truly?

Law practice is a business and a profession. To start your own law firm successfully, you must agree to see it as both.

The skills that it takes to run a business aren't the same skills it takes to practice law. While many of the skills you need to practice law will help you in your business, running your business will require you to tackle different problems than practicing law. And these challenges don't go away as your business matures and grows. They just change and challenge you in new ways.

Think about his: One December 23rd, an exasperated attorney called Stephanie, frustrated that the associate had spent so much time training had just given notice. "Listen. I just want to practice law and maybe do some business development work. I don't want to deal with all this other stuff!"

And this attitude is just fine - if you're working within a firm that you don't own. But owning a business will require you to deal with "all the other stuff." Are you ready to take on those challenges? Of course, it's absolutely OK to decide that you don't want to or like doing the work of running a business and decide to not start a firm.

So, before you jump in, ask yourself:

Do I actually want to be involved in the entire running of the business?

Am I committed to being a business owner and leader - not just an attorney?

Do I consider the time I spend working on the business as important as my billable work?

Got three yesses? Then read on.

If you're a lawyer with an entrepreneurial spirit, a tolerance for risk, and goals around what you want to build, you can and should start your own law firm.

There are many benefits to being the proud owner of your own firm, including:

The ability to do more than practice law. Sure, your legal services will be your bread and butter, but you'll also be able to build your own business on your terms.

Control when choosing your clients. Most attorneys have a specific type of law they wish to practice. With your own firm, you have a choice in the clients you choose to accept and the cases you choose to move forward with.

The chance to develop a business model that works for you (and your clients and team). As someone else's employee, you may have little control over the business model of the firm. As the owner of your own firm, you make the decisions, including those tied to your business model. You can build your firm around your personal and career goals, the solutions you want to offer your clients, and your own workplace culture for your future team built around your values.

While there are a ton of benefits, there are challenges, too. Starting a law firm can feel overwhelming at times-and that's if you do it right.

As a new business owner and entrepreneur, you have to go all in. Be ready to put in the time and energy it will take to get your business off the ground knowing that everything you accomplish each day is investing in the future health and well-being of your firm.

With clearly defined goals, a smart strategy, the right tools, and hard work (and some help from the Lawyerist community) you'll set yourself up for success.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Law Firm?

When an attorney we know started his law firm, he tried to apply big-firm principles to small-firm practice. Quickly, he realized this was disastrous. He adopted tools he didn't need and overcomplicated processes. Despite best intentions, he hemorrhaged cash.

This is a cautionary tale, but don't panic. Yes, it's going to cost more money than you're comfortable with to start a law firm. But no, you don't need to go broke. With smart planning and mindful planning, you can finance this dream.

As you get started, prepare to invest both time and money to help you outfit your new business. It's important to understand what you need and then plan how to pay for it. The hard truth is this: If you can't get what you need, it's not time to start your practice.

But, we know plenty of attorneys who started with hope and a few thousand dollars. We asked our Lawyerist Insiders what they had in the bank when they started their firms:

Overwhelmingly, most attorneys had less than $5k in the bank when they started. So it's possible, but let's break it down.

The Practical Minimum to Start a Law Firm

Money in the Bank

In addition to the money it will take to get your business off the ground (we'll cover those next), you'll need to keep yourself housed and fed. It may take a while for your business to be in a solid position and able to pay you a salary or distribution. You should have some money saved to cover your personal living expenses for the first 3-6 months.

Start-up Costs

When you start a practice, you will need to spend some money at the outset-it isn't optional. According to our experience and data over the years, $3,000 is an okay starting point, but $5,000 to $15,000 is more realistic when opening your first law firm. The cost depends on a wide range of variables such as location, practice area, advertising, and more.

We'll cover the basics and some areas that you may cut for the time being.

Office & Supplies

The office comes next. We've known attorneys who started out of their house with a desk, a computer, and a few boxes. Whatever gets you started, do it. Don't waste too much time trying to find the perfect office space before getting started. You can get caught up in buying furniture, technology, and supplies very quickly - and soon find that you're drowning in minutiae and overhead.

Many more attorneys are finding success with a virtual practice. This is a great option because it keeps your overhead low and allows you to determine how much space you need before you lock yourself into a long-term lease. If you plan on securing a physical space, give yourself a buffer and a timeline. A common timeline is to plan to have a space and rent money 6-12 months after starting your practice. Do whatever feels right to you.

As you purchase office supplies, only buy what you need. We've all gotten excited about a new space and bought fancy chairs and expensive espresso machines and art and on and on. Buying cool office decor can be a great distraction from working on your actual business plan. Don't fall for it!

Try to rein in the urge to make your office look expensive. If you have clear, client-centered services and a human touch, your clients won't care what your office looks like.

Professional Expenses

Plan for professional expenses such as licensing, continuing legal education, conferences and events, malpractice insurance, and memberships. Both licensing and legal education aren't optional. You'll also need different types of insurance.

Hardware

In your office space, you'll need a computer, back-up drive, document scanner, printer, and a phone. If you're not sure what basic hardware is best for your solo or small firm, check out our Legal Technology Buyers Guide.

Legal Software & Services

Legal software and online services will be the tools you use the most on a daily basis in your practice. You'll need a wide range for optimum productivity, including:

Legal Marketing

As you build out your marketing strategy, you can identify which avenues you'll use initially to attract new clients. At a minimum, you'll need to budget for marketing staples such as business cards, someone to design and build your law firm website, and activities to start attracting your ideal client. Your budget likely should include dining with leads and potential clients, and a plan for experimenting with other paid marketing options.

Insiders can get started with our Law Firm Budget Template.

How to Start a Law Firm: Goals and Strategy

First, what do you want out of your law practice?

Do not skip this step! Too many lawyers decide that they are good lawyers and they'd like to be their own boss - so why not just practice law on their own? They just follow the motions that they see everyone else doing and put little thought into what they are building and why. But, they're failing.

We mean, look at these stats from Clio's Legal Trends Report:

Lawyers spend 2.3 hours per day (that's 29% of an 8-hour workday) on billable tasks.

Only 40% of firms that track time have hourly billing targets.

Only 50% of legal professionals can bill a case based on a set budget.

Lawyers spend 48% of their time on administrative tasks.

91% of firms can't calculate a return on advertising investments.

94% of law firms don't know how much it costs them to acquire a new client.

Startling, but not insurmountable.

You have the opportunity to build something great! A business that helps you fulfill your personal goals, provides exceptional client experiences and is an amazing place to work. But, that means breaking the mold. Thinking differently and being intentional with your business by deciding on the front end what you want to create.

Here's what to think about.

Step #1: Personal Goals

What kind of life would you like to live?

Your business should exist to serve you and allow you to fulfill your personal vision and your career goals. Our Labster, Megan, knew she wanted to travel with her family. And we mean real trips - where she could explore a new country for four weeks and her practice wouldn't fall apart while she was gone. To do this, her business plan emphasized great support staff and clear systems the staff could follow in her absence. It worked: She was able to take a month-long European vacation while her firm thrived at home.

So, you'll need to dream a little about the life you'd like to create for yourself and your family. Some questions you might ask yourself:

What's important to me? My family, friends, travel, hobbies, passions?

How many days off (and we mean true days off - not working while vacationing) do I want a year?

When do I want to retire?

What do I need time for in my life to be physically and mentally healthy?

How much money would I need to make to not stress?

What does success look like?

In the law world, the mantra seems to be to focus on work-until-you-drop. A couple of us actually completed billable work from the delivery room when we - or our spouses - were giving birth. You're probably chuckling at that part because you've done the same or similar. It doesn't have to be that way. When you start a new firm, you have the chance to make your personal life just as important as your work life.

Step #2: Business Vision

What do you want to create with your business?

You'll hear people say that your vision needs to be a snappy one-liner you can throw out during networking parties. We don't agree. Yes, your vision should be clear, measurable, and easy to talk about, but condensing your dreams and plans into one sentence can be confining. Use this time to write as much as you need. This is the first step to putting the foundation down for your law firm key performance indicators.

To complete your firm strategy, you'll be able to check the box next to some of these concepts:

Your mission and values are clear and documented.

You have a documented business model built around solving client problems in line with their expectations at an appropriate price.

You understand trends that affect your firm and clients and you incorporate what you know into your strategy.

You're working on projects and short-term goals connected to your long-term goals for your firm.

You use a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor your firm's health and help you predict your future success. You review and update your KPIs regularly.

You occasionally conduct a competitive analysis and adjust your strategy to win in your market.

You've surrounded yourself with a supportive peer community or expert coach.

Consider, too, that you're not going to figure this all out in one sitting. Take your time. Let your vision evolve over days, weeks, or even months.

As you start dreaming about your firm's vision, keep in mind that your firm - and all law firms - should offer client-focused services, stay current with technology, use profit-oriented business models, and (hopefully) help our profession move the needle on access to justice and inclusion. We believe that these are the key elements to building future-forward firms.
Tip: If you want to know how your firm will measure up, check out our Small Firm Scorecard.
How to Build a Law Firm: Marketing & Client-Centered Services

Now that you have a vision for your personal life and your new business, it's time to start putting the pieces in place. You'll need to decide what kind of practice you'd like to build and how you'll best serve your clients.

You'll need a solid strategy to attract the right clients to your firm. Then, you'll want to make sure you have systems and procedures and the right technology in place to consistently deliver a superior client experience.

Step #3: Client-Centered Services

Most lawyers would proudly tell you that their entire firm is focused on their clients. While in one sense this is true - lawyers do represent their clients and take care of their legal needs - that's not what we mean by client-centered services.

It is time to reframe your law firm from your client's perspective. What would it look like to create a client experience that shows you care about your clients, that you understand who they are and what they need, and that you are the right person to take care of them?

Building a firm focused on your client might require you:

Design your prices, rates, and fees based on the goals and needs of your clients. This means billing by the hour might not be your friend.

Put systems in place to make sure you keep client diversity, access, and inclusion in mind.

Communicate with clients using methods they prefer while following your data security needs.

Draft client communications and legal documents in a reader-centric way, with emphasis on plain language and readability.

Create a seamless intake, onboarding, and delivery experience for your clients that reflects the kind of client experience they want.

Structure a process for capturing client feedback to understand their level of satisfaction and you actively work to improve.

Client expectations are evolving fast. Small and solo law firm owners should reimagine and laser-focus on client service in order to deliver.

Step #4: Client Acquisition

The days of being a great lawyer and relying on your reputation for greatness to bring in all the clients you need are over. In a similar vein, many lawyers seem to think that referrals from other lawyers and clients are the only marketing sources they need.

In today's world, clients are changing how they find lawyers and while referrals will always be a source of new business, this is only the start. We encourage attorneys to take a broader view and take advantage of the many avenues potential clients are using to find help solving their problems.

First, let's get one thing clear: Marketing and sales aren't dirty words. There are some basic marketing and sales strategies you can put in place that will help you effectively use your time and money to attract your ideal clients.

One more caveat: Your marketing activities should be just that - strategic! Too many lawyers run around doing things in the name of marketing without really understanding their costs or whether they are working. Similarly, these lawyers hear a colleague say they are killing it on [fill in favorite social media here] - and then they run out and start doing things with a plan or real understanding of how that tool works.

Your marketing should be part of a larger, strategic plan. Sure, there is room to experiment to see what works, but even then it should be measured on the front and back end so you know if it is actually working.

The first step in any marketing strategy is asking yourself what an ideal client looks like, where those ideal clients currently look for solutions, and what kinds of messages resonate with them. With these questions answered, you can start putting together a strategy that is focused and easily adjusted based on measured results you can compare against your law firm key performance indicators.

When you're done, here's what success looks like:

Your firm has a glowing reputation in your community. People who refer you talk about how easy it is to work with you.

You have a written marketing plan and you use objective data to determine the success of your marketing activities.

You track your marketing efforts. You know how your marketing is reaching potential clients, existing clients, former clients, and referral sources

Your firm has a modern, mobile-responsive website that's focused on communicating your brand message.

You use a variety of online and offline marketing activities to communicate your value in a way that resonates with your target client market, converting them into leads.

You have a system for converting potential clients into paying clients.

Branding and developing your marketing strategy takes time but is critical for the growth of your new law firm. Investigate all potential marketing avenues for your firm and then commit to implementing those that work best based on your firm's overarching goals.

Step #5: Systems and Procedures

Law firms can be complex and fast-moving organizations. In light of this, you should be focused on building systems to deliver consistent, high-quality, and error-free legal work to your clients. Unfortunately, for many firms, their systems and procedures live in the attorneys' heads.

Lawyers building client-centered firms recognize the importance of documented systems and procedures. You'll optimize your work, create a better client experience, reduce mistakes, delegate work easier, better manage your team, and build a firm that is easier to scale and eventually sell. Forward-thinking lawyers get ahead of their office management needs by focusing on a few important principles:

Your firm follows clear, documented systems and procedures that reflect your core business model.

Your documented procedures include both administrative and client service workflows and you have a system for regularly reviewing these workflows to find opportunities for automation and improvement.

You follow personal productivity and time management practices.

Office management sounds stuffy, but it's so important to get right in the beginning. Dive deeper into key areas to streamline your office management and set your firm up for success.

Step #6: Technology

To be a good lawyer in the twenty-first century (OK - even to be a mediocre one), you need basic tech competency. Period.

But just having technology isn't the end goal. You want tools that allow you to solve problems and be a better lawyer. We have a saying here: Buy technology based on your workflows, instead of creating workflows based on your tech. That means sketching your ideal systems and processes and then buying the right software to support those systems.

As a new firm, create goals and determine the best way for your technology to support those goals. At a minimum, this also means:

Work hard to be technologically competent in general.

Conduct training often in your technology systems and tools to remain up-to-date with changes.

Run a paperless law firm to scan and digitally file all paperwork.

Run a mobile law firm to work productively and securely from outside of your office.

Conduct data security threat assessments to have an up-to-date threat model, develop a written security policy, and follow good data security practices.

Possess technology systems that reflect your firm's security needs and those of your clients.

Take a breath. You don't have to meet all of these goals in a day. Instead, make them a critical part of your overall strategy.

How to Manage a Law Firm: Business Operations

Once your firm is established, the work of running and growing your firm continues. Too many lawyers delegate the management and financial operations of their firm to a third-party. This is a mistake. While bringing help is important, you want to make sure you understand your business from the inside out.

Step #7: Finances

As a business owner, you'll need to understand the numbers.

We've heard too many attorneys suggest that they choose law school to avoid numbers. (Sound familiar?) As a business owner, you should be excited about your numbers. Your business exists to make a profit. You want to know that your firm is profitable and financially healthy, and if not, what levers you'll need to pull to change things.

To do this, put sound financial practices for your business in place. This means:

You have a documented long-term financial strategy and profitability model that aligns your short-term budgets and reports with your firm's long-term goals.

You have access to sufficient capital and cash flow to fund your firm for the foreseeable future (more on this below).

You follow written budgets and regularly monitor consistent financial reports and financial KPIs.

Your invoicing, payment, and collection systems focus on your clients' payment preferences so they will pay their bills on time.

You pay yourself a consistent market-rate salary, separate from bonuses or distributions, and you're investing an appropriate amount of your pay towards savings and retirement. Paying yourself isn't optional.

Healthy finances mean happy years down the line. Developing financial skills now will power your new law firm with financial health and stability.

Step #8: Hiring & Staffing

Although staffing might be the furthest thing from your mind, the second you start thinking about adding to your firm (independent contractors, part-time employees, bookkeeper, office manager), you need to consider your values and how you'll treat those who join you. This means:

You have a written organizational chart that includes everyone in the firm and their reporting structure.

Your organizational chart and job duties allow employees to delegate work to those who do it more efficiently, focusing on what they do best.

You hire people based on how they fit with your firm's mission, values, and roles in your organizational chart.

Your compensation and benefits structure is fair, rational, and encourages the right long-term incentives that reflect your values.

You have systems in place to ensure your staff your firm with diversity, access, and inclusion in mind.

Managers can manage others skillfully and you train them in people management often.

Your firm's culture reflects your values.

You have firm-wide team meetings frequently and communication is always open and honest.

Have systems in place to support themselves-and everyone else-with self-care, wellness, addiction support, and mental health needs

How to Manage Everything On Your Own

OK, though we just mentioned staffing, there will be lean times at the beginning of your journey where you might be on your own. Heck, even when you have a fully-staffed team, business owners often feel like they are on an island with the weight of the business on their shoulders!

It's true that starting a law firm is not for hesitant hearts. The good news is that you don't need to do this on your own - and you probably shouldn't. There's a reason gym newbies work with a personal trainer. You could adopt the same mindset for business and business coaching. A business coach will:

Help you structure your starting plan

Hold you accountable for the tough work ahead

Connect you with others working on the same ideas

Encourage and motivate you to keep going when you want to quit

Offer advice, expertise, and tools to keep you sane

There are a number of coaching programs out there (including our own, Lab) to consider when you get into the nitty-gritty of starting your firm.

Keep these takeaways in mind:

Go all in.

Always trust your instincts, but back them up with research.

Ask for advice, build relationships, and read, read, read.

Understand what you'll do when you don't make any money.

Ensure you know where to go when you don't know how to handle something.

Be brutally honest with yourself, often, about your drive and dedication.

Get paid upfront.

Spend smart money on your team, training, tools, and technology to unlock your superpowers.

Don't be wasteful or frivolous.

Avoid burnout by planning non-negotiable days off and vacations - and creating systems so you can enjoy them.

Always be honest with your clients.

You now have all the tools necessary to create a sound strategy and launch your new firm with confidence. Congratulations on becoming a legal entrepreneur!

Don't Go It Alone: Get a Roadmap

As you grow and progress towards success, know that you're not alone. We've got a complete library of 17 tools and templates to help you grow your firm your way. And you'll get access to our free Facebook community to network and discuss with other future-oriented small firm lawyers.

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Starting a law firm may be the best decision you'll ever make. In fact, it was for many of us! Unfortunately, most law schools are designed to teach you how to think like a lawyer and don't devote much time teaching you how to start and run a business.

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U.S. News & World Report L.P. (2022)

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Lawyers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS (2021 September 8, 2021)

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Lawyers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.

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Forbes (N.D)

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Lawyer working with documents. Justice and law, attorney, concept. Man signing contract papers
Getty

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, the employment of lawyers is projected to increase by 50,100 from 2018 to 2028. That's a substantial amount of growth for most occupations, but with the current number of lawyer jobs being 823,900, it's only an increase of 6%, which is about as fast as the average growth for all occupations. So, it's not exactly a career path that's on fire, but neither is it declining.

One of the many draws of pursuing a career as a lawyer is the financial compensation; namely, it pays well. Using occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we've analyzed and compiled an overview of the average lawyer salary by state in the U.S. Read on for a full breakdown of where lawyers make the most money, and where they're making the least.

10 States Where Lawyers Earn the Most Money

The national average annual wage of an lawyer is $144,230, according to the BLS, which is not far from being three-times the average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. However, that average salary is for the U.S. overall, which hides significant differences depending on geography, such as the state you reside in.

Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for lawyers:

1. California average lawyer salary: $171,550

2. New York average lawyer salary: $167,110

3. Massachusetts average lawyer salary: $165,610

4. Connecticut average lawyer salary: $153,640

5. Illinois average lawyer salary: $152,980

6. Texas average lawyer salary: $150,250

7. Colorado average lawyer salary: $147,560

8. Arizona average lawyer salary: $145,750

9. Virginia average lawyer salary: $139,180

10. New Jersey average lawyer salary: $139,020

Massachusetts has not only the third-highest average annual wage for lawyers. It has seen the third-largest growth in its average lawyer salary over the last five years: 23.2%, from $134,380 in 2013 to $165,610 in 2018.

10 States Where Lawyers Earn the Least Money

The bottom-10 states where lawyers make the least money tend to be ones less densely populated, and either in the South or the Mountain states of the West. Check them out below, with No. 1 being the lowest-paying state:

1. Montana average lawyer salary: $88,600

2. Mississippi average lawyer salary: $97,990

3. West Virginia average lawyer salary: $98,630

4. Arkansas average lawyer salary: $98,780

5. Idaho average lawyer salary: $99,360

6. Kentucky average lawyer salary: $100,100

7. South Carolina average lawyer salary: $105,320

8. Louisiana average lawyer salary: $105,490

9. Wyoming average lawyer salary: $105,600

10. New Mexico average lawyer salary: $105,910

For some of these states, the prospects for lawyers is actually looking bright, as average lawyer wages have risen by 17.6% in Montana and by 18.3% in Wyoming from 2013 to 2018. On the other hand, many of the other 10 worst states have seen declining wages for lawyers. The fifth-lowest paying state for lawyers, Idaho, has seen its average annual wage decline by 5.7% in the last five years, one of the worst rates in the country.

How Much Do Lawyers Make in Each State

Below you'll find the average annual wage for lawyers in all 50 states from 2013 to 2018.Unfortunately, there was no 2018 data available for the average lawyer salary in Delaware from the BLS. The rank is included, as well as the five-year change in average annual wage in percent.

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Here's How Much Money Lawyers Make In Every State

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, the employment of lawyers is projected to increase by 50,100 from 2018 to 2028. That's a substantial amount of growth for most occupations, but with the current number of lawyer jobs being 823,900, it's only an increase of 6%, which is about as fast as the average growth for all occupations.

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LawyerEdu.org (2021)

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Law Job Information in New Jersey

Information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) indicates that New Jersey has the fifth highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for all states for the lawyer occupation (as of May 2017). BLS figures indicate that in May 20171, there were 20,730 lawyers employed in New Jersey, representing employment of 5.17 per 1000 jobs for lawyers in the state. Lawyers in New Jersey also earned one of the highest annual mean wages for lawyers working anywhere in the United States. The average yearly salary for a New Jersey lawyer in May 2017 was $140,340. If your dream is to become a practicing attorney in the state of New Jersey, read on.

The New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners does not require that you complete any undergraduate education prior to enrollment in law school. It does, however, require that you graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). All ABA-accredited law schools mandate that you have a minimum of a bachelor's degree before entering law school.

Under ABA orders, you must receive your bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Your school must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

As long as you receive your undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, it does not matter what courses you take or what major you choose. There are some courses that tend to help students perform better in law school when taken in undergraduate school. These include philosophy, political science, business, economics, psychology, English, communications and mathematics.

You must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree to enter into law school. It need not be in any specific major. Undergraduate majors culled from the above mentioned coursework areas often produce law school students who are successful.

You have achieved the first step towards becoming a lawyer in New Jersey - receiving your undergraduate degree. It is now time to take the six-hour standardized LSAT (Law School Admission Test). You must pass this exam before admittance to any ABA-accredited law school can occur.

You will find many helpful free study materials at the LSAT website. Other resources that may help you prepare to take the LSAT in New Jersey include:
LSAT Exam Prep Courses in New Jersey:

As an aspiring lawyer in New Jersey, the LSAT is one of the most important tests you will ever take. It tests your knowledge of three critical areas:

Reading Comprehension - your abilities in dissecting information, skimming passages to receive the author's main point, recognizing types of questions, recognizing styles of writing (argumentation, etc) and being able to make comparisons and analogies will be tested here.

Critical Reasoning - you must be able to recognize arguments and use the six types of reasoning to evaluate that argument (i.e., generalization, analogy, deductive argument, causal reasoning, business thinking and identifying assumptions)

Analytical Reasoning - also called "Logic Games," this sections test your analytical abilities using four types of games (single-linear, multiple-linear, grouping, and networking).

LSAT applications are processed online. You must also pay the $190 examination fee online. The LSAT is given quarterly on Saturdays and Mondays at the following New Jersey testing centers:

Rutgers-The State University, Camden

The College of New Jersey, Ewing

Brookdale Community College, Lincroft

Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick

Rutgers-The State University, Newark

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Galloway

Seton Hall University, South Orange

Mercer County Community College, West Windsor

Montclair State University, Montclair

William Paterson University, Wayne

You can expect to receive your LSAT score via mail about 21 days after the exam. The score range is 120 to 180. Median LSAT scores that New Jersey law schools accept (per ABA Law School Data) are:

Rutgers Law School: 155

Seton Hall University: 156

Featured Law School:

You are ready for Step 3 of the process in becoming a New Jersey lawyer- applying to the ABA-accredited law school of your choice. Remember, under the rules of the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, before you can take the state's bar exam, you must graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school anywhere in the United States (not necessarily in New Jersey). There are more than 200 ABA-accredited law schools nationwide, and they are listed in the LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools.

Formerly known as the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), the Law School Admission Council's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is vital to use when applying for enrollment at any ABA-accredited law institution. It will help you to gather, coordinate, and send law school applications with all necessary supporting documentation (such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and evaluations) The CAS charges $195 for usage of this valuable service, and the fee includes applying electronically for you to your chosen ABA-accredited law schools. Although the CAS standardizes the procedures and process, check with your individual law school's requirements for admission to ensure that you send the proper number and types of documents when applying for enrollment.

Two law institutions in New Jersey are ABA-accredited:

These subjects should be included in any ABA-accredited New Jersey law school, as they may be tested on the state's bar examination:

Contracts

Criminal law

Real property

Torts

Constitutional law

Evidence

Civil procedure

Agency

Conflicts of law

Corporations

Equity

Family law

Partnership

Uniform Commercial Code: Articles 2 (Sales), 3 (Commercial Paper), and 9 (Secured Transactions)

Wills, trusts, and estates

Zoning and planning

Disciplinary rules

Ethics (you must present evidence that you have passed an ethics course in law school, or pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a score of at least 75, when applying to take the New Jersey bar examination)

Most, if not all, ABA-accredited law institutions require that you participate in some sort of practical experience during your tenure in law school. Depending upon your school's practices, this may occur in an in-house legal clinic, on-site legal office or organization, or governmental agency. Wherever you are placed, you will have the chance to develop real-life, working skills necessary to succeed as a New Jersey lawyer.

You must have a J.D. degree in order to sit for the state's bar exam. Other degree options offered by New Jersey law schools (such as dual degrees and concentrations) that may increase your career opportunities after graduation include:

Seton Hall University School of Law:

JD Concentration in Health Law

JD Concentration in Intellectual Property

JD/Master of Arts in Diplomacy

JD/Master in Business Administration

JD/MD

Rutgers -University School of Law-Newark/Camden:

JD/MBA

JD/MA in Criminal Justice

JD/MCRP (Master of City and Regional Planning)

JD/MSW (Master of Social Work)

If you are at least 18 years old, and have a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law institution, you are eligible to take the New Jersey bar examination.

Graduates of law schools not approved by the ABA are not eligible to sit for the New Jersey bar exam.

Graduates of foreign law schools are not eligible to sit for the New Jersey bar exam.

New Jersey administers the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Preparation materials for its three parts - the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) are available at the National Conference of Bar Examiners website. Other resources (not necessarily free) to help you get ready to take the New Jersey bar examination include:

The New Jersey bar exam consists of:

The MBE, 200 multiple-choice questions focusing on the topics of contracts, criminal law, constitutional law, real property, evidence, and torts.

The MEE, 6 30-minute essay questions on business associations, civil procedure, conflict of laws, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, evidence, family law, torts, real property, estates and trusts and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

The MPT, two 90-minute skills-based tests

The first step in applying to take the New Jersey bar examination is to create a registration account online. You will complete the Character & Fitness Questionnaire online and submit your signed and notarized Application for the Bar Exam online, plus the following documentation:

Upload an acceptable photo

Submit payment online or via check/money order ($675 if paying on time)

Upload a signed and notarized Authorization and Release form

Mail all information to NJ Board of Bar Examiners, PO Box 973, Trenton, NJ 08625-0973. You will receive an acknowledgement packet from the Bar once they receive your application. Included in the packet will be information on completing your fingerprinting requirement and correcting any deficiencies in your application, plus obtaining other necessary information such as:

Law School Certificate

Proof of satisfaction of professional responsibility requirement (grade of C or better in an ethics course in law school or score of 75 or better on the MPRE)

The following pass rates for previous New Jersey bar examinations have been noted:

July 2018: 58.83 percent overall pass rate

July 2016: 65.3 percent

July 2015: 69.9 percent

July 2014: 74.2 percent

If you did not take an ethics/professional responsibility course in law school, you must obtain a passing score of 75 or greater on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). More information on the exam and signing up to take it can be found at the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.

New Jersey does not recognize admission on motion (that is, admission without examination) to the state's bar except in the following situations:

If you are already a licensed lawyer in another state and in good standing within that jurisdiction's bar organization, you are eligible to practice law in New Jersey for up to two and a half years with an approved legal services program.

If you are a law school professor who has taught law full-time for the past five years at an ABA-accredited New Jersey law school, you can be admitted on motion (without taking the examination). You must also have a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an ABA-approved law school and have already passed the bar examination in at least one other U.S. jurisdiction.

The New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners does not accept MBE scores from prior bar examinations you may have taken in another state. If you plan to take New Jersey's bar exam and will be taking the MBE in another state in their bar exam concurrently, you must arrange to have your MBE score transferred to New Jersey by July 1 for the July bar examination or February 1 for the February bar examination. You may take the MBE in another jurisdiction on the Wednesday before the New Jersey essay portion of the examination.

After passing the bar, you must sign the attorneys' roll and take an oath prior to admittance to the New Jersey Bar. The oath swears that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of New Jersey, show allegiance to New Jersey, and includes the oath of office as an attorney. You may give an affirmation instead of an oath if you prefer. You must be sworn in no later than 90 days after passing the bar examination. Public swearing-in ceremonies are usually held about a month after examination results are published. You will be notified of the date of this

Congratulations on passing the New Jersey Bar Examination and becoming a licensed member of the New Jersey Bar! As a new member, you must complete 15 credit hours of continuing legal education (CLE) in five of nine subject areas during your first full two-year compliance period. Those subjects include:

New Jersey basic estate planning

New Jersey civil or criminal trial preparation

New Jersey family law practice

New Jersey real estate closing procedure

New Jersey trust and business accounting

New Jersey landlord/tenant practice

New Jersey municipal court practice

New Jersey law office management

Your first CLE compliance period begins January 1 of the year following the year you are admitted to the Bar.
Employment opportunities are vast for newly licensed lawyers in New Jersey. Well-known law firms in the state include McCarter & English, LLP in Newark; Gibbons, P.C. in Newark and Trenton; Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, PA in Woodbridge; Sills Cummis & Gross in Newark and Princeton; and Lowenstein Sandler LLP in Roseland, Somerville and Princeton.
A total of 19 companies in New Jersey are on the Fortune 500 list as of 2018, and most commonly hire attorneys. They include NRG Energy in Princeton; Cognizant Technology Solutions in Teaneck; Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick; Merck in Whitehouse Station; Bed Bath and Beyond in Union; Prudential Financial in Newark; Honeywell International in Morris Township; and ADP in Florham Park.

As a bar member in New Jersey, you must pay an annual fee to finance the New Jersey Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection and the attorney discipline system. The Supreme Court of New Jersey determines this amount each year. The Fund provides reimbursement to clients who have financial losses because of dishonest attorney conduct. The Disciplinary Oversight Committee supports actions of the Office of Attorney Ethics such as the Random Audit Program and the Disciplinary Review Board. All lawyers who are New Jersey bar members, including judges, government lawyers, and law professors, must pay this annual fee. You do not need to pay the assessment fee during the first calendar year of your admission to the bar. If you are a lawyer serving in the U.S. military, Peace Corps or VISTA, you are exempt from paying the annual assessment fee.

Lawyers wishing to specialize in an area of the law may become certified. Under rules of the New Jersey Supreme Court's Board on Attorney Certification, in order to become certified to practice in a specialized area you must meet the following conditions:

Have been a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar for five or more years

Have completed a certain amount of CLE courses in the past three years

Have demonstrated substantial involvement in preparation of litigation

Have demonstrated an untarnished reputation (through giving the Court a list of names of judges and lawyers who will verify your character and ability)

Pass a written examination on the specialty practice area

The New Jersey Supreme Court currently certifies lawyers in the following areas:

Civil trial law

Criminal trial law

Matrimonial law

Workers' compensation law

For more information on legal specialty certification in New Jersey, contact the Board of Attorney Certification at (609)815-2930.

As a licensed New Jersey lawyer, you must complete 24 credit hours of CLE every two years. At least four of those credits must be in ethics and/or professionalism. You may take up to half of your CLE credit hours in alternative verifiable learning (AVL) formats (such as videotape, audiotape, on-line internet presentations, satellite simulcasts, teleconferences, videoconferences, and internet self-study). At least 12 of your CLE credits must be taken in a live instructor-based course. You must report your CLE hours through the New Jersey Courts electronic registration/payment system.

There are various types of courts in the New Jersey judicial system:

New Jersey Supreme Court: The highest court in the state hears appeals from the Appellate Division, reviews the decisions of other state courts, and interprets laws that may be unclear or conflicting with other laws.

Superior Court: Also known as the trial court,the Superior Court hears cases of criminal, civil and family law are heard in the Superior Court. A Superior Court exists in each of New Jersey's 21 counties.

Appellate Division: No juries or witnesses are used in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. Judges hear arguments from lawyers on appeals from superior court cases. New Jersey has 36 Appellate Division judges in New Jersey.

: This court reviews decisions of county boards of taxation on property tax, and of the State Division of Taxation on state income tax, sales tax and business tax.

County Courts: Each of New Jersey's 21 counties has its own County Court, also referred to as a Vicinage.

Municipal Courts: This court hears the majority of the cases filed in New Jersey, including motor vehicle offenses; minor criminal offenses; cases involving hunting, fishing and boating laws; and minor disputes between neighbors. There are 539 Municipal Courts in New Jersey.

Other professional organizations in the state for which you may now be eligible for membership as a New Jersey lawyer include:

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How to Become a Lawyer in New Jersey - NJ | Education Requirements

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Information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) indicates that New Jersey has the fifth highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for all states for the lawyer occupation (as of May 2017).