Corporate Attorney Salary

Corporate lawyers can serve as advisers to business executives, or they may represent a corporation in court. They draft business contracts and amendments. They are involved in various matters, such as company’s mergers, employee benefits, and corporate compliance. They also handle human resources issues and represent their companies when they are sued by employees. They work on behalf of their employers in matters pertaining to patent infringement and customers’ lawsuits. They negotiate and draft license service agreements and buyer/seller agreements.

Employers usually require that candidates have a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. Some employers require that corporate lawyers have commensurate work experience prior to joining their company. Corporate lawyers must have superior interpersonal and leadership skills. They must have excellent oral and written communications skills. They must have good presentation and speaking skills. They must be able to work independently, as well as in a team environment. They must be ethical and accountable. They must have computer skills. They must be able to use computer programs relevant to their job. They must have strong analytical skills. They must have the ability to maintain strong working relationships with both external and internal clients. They must be familiar with Microsoft Office.

Corporate lawyers are often required to travel to their corporate offices, their company’s clients, and vendors’ sites. They must read professional journals that pertain to their field. They must keep themselves up to date with government laws and regulations relevant to their field. They attend various meetings and conferences. (Copyright 2017 PayScale.com)

Corporate Attorney Tasks

• Represent clients in court or before government agencies, present and summarize cases to judges and juries
• Analyze and interpret laws, rulings and regulations with probable case outcomes for individuals and businesses
• Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions; evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments for presentation of cases
• Advise clients in business transactions, claim liablility, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits or legal rights and obligations
• Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges and question witnesses during the course of a trial

With a pay rate for Corporate Attorneys that is 75 percent greater than the national average, Atlanta offers a comfortable salary for those in this profession. Corporate Attorneys will also find cushy salaries in San Francisco (+73 percent), Philadelphia (+40 percent), New York (+37 percent), and Denver (+25 percent). Corporate Attorneys' salaries are heavily influenced by location — Corporate Attorneys in Orlando bring in salaries that are 30 percent lower than the national average. Employers in Indianapolis and Cleveland also lean toward paying below-median salaries (20 percent lower and 16 percent lower, respectively).