Working as a Lawyer
Industry Overview
Over 11,000 lawyers practise law in British Columbia. Lawyers are qualified to act as both barristers and solicitors, although many lawyers choose to limit their practices to one of these professional roles.
Barristers are lawyers who advise clients on matters intended for a hearing in court or at an administrative tribunal such as the Labour Relations Board or the Human Rights Tribunal. Solicitors prepare contracts and other legal documents such as real estate transfers, wills, share transfers or corporate agreements.
The demand for legal services is affected by the economy, societal trends and changes to legislation and can fluctuate dramatically. A growing economy, for example, might lead to an increase in business deals not seen during a recession.
Two-thirds of BC’s lawyers work in the Metro Vancouver area. Another 14 per cent are on Vancouver Island (concentrated primarily in Victoria). The remainder practise in communities across the province.
There is a need for lawyers with a specialization in areas such as:
- Aboriginal rights
- international law
- intellectual property, patents and trademarks
- environmental law
- Internet law
- entertainment law
- immigration law
- construction law
- mediation
Sources: WorkBC, Law Society of British Columbia
Job Outlook in BC
Lawyers
Chart from WorkBC
WorkBC provides job openings in BC regions from 2021-2031:
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| Region | Expected # of Job Openings 2021-2031 | Average Annual Employment Growth % 2021-2031 |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Island | 690 | 0.4% |
| Lower Mainland / Southwest | 3,740 | 1.4% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 340 | 0.5% |
| Cariboo | 50 | -0.2% |
| North Coast & Nechako | 40 | 0.3% |
| Northeast | 20 | 1.3% |
You can learn more about working as a lawyer in BC from:
Types of Employers
Lawyers work in many settings including:
- law firms
- prosecutor’s offices
- federal, provincial and municipal government departments
- various business establishments / corporations
You may also be self-employed.
Salary
In BC, the median annual salary for lawyers is $115,621 a year.
You are typically paid a salary if you work for government agencies or large companies. If you work for law firms you are usually paid according to the number of hours you work. Partners at law firms usually get a percentage of the firm’s profits as well.
Job Bank Canada provides annual wages for lawyers in BC regions:
Source: Job Bank, Wage Report
Sources: Career Cruising (Profile for Lawyer), WorkBC
Working Hours
As a lawyer you often work long hours, typically between 8 and 11 hours a day. During trials or big negotiations, this can stretch to 15 or 16 hours a day. Weekend work is also common.
You may have more regular hours if you work for government agencies or businesses.