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Tax Attorneys

Employment Prospects

Employers

Tax attorneys work for law firms, corporations, and government agencies. They may specialize in estate law, tax litigation, corporate tax, executive compensation, municipal finance, or international tax planning, among other areas. They work closely with other attorneys and financial professionals. According to the Department of Labor, there are 813,900 lawyers employed in the United States. About half of all lawyers are employed full time in legal services, and about 17 percent are self-employed.

Starting Out

After passing the bar exam, tax lawyers start out as associates. Many gain initial experience through part-time jobs or summer internships while in school. They may work in law firms, the legal departments of corporations, or government agencies. Summer associate programs are available to law students after they have finished their second year of law school. Those who perform well as associates often receive job offers after they graduate from law school. Their school's career services office provides assistance in finding tax law internships and employment opportunities.