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Environmental Lawyers

Advancement Prospects

Beginning lawyers start as associates in salaried positions, usually working with more experienced lawyers or judges. With years of experience, they may become partners (partial owners) in their law firm. Government lawyers usually start as interns, moving up to supervisory positions after a few years of practice. With 15 to 20 years of experience, they may become division director or chief legal counsel. Environmental lawyers may also leave salaried positions to start their own law practices. Advancement further down the road can be in the form of nominated or elected judgeships. Lawyers may also pursue academic careers by taking full-time faculty or administrator positions in law schools. Lawyers who work in legal departments of large corporations may gain more experience by taking more senior management positions within their department or by working in other departments to gain more exposure to other aspects of the business.

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