You've probably heard that the legal market is saturated, making it increasingly difficult to pursue a career in law. But to what extent is this true?
The legal market is one of the most traditional in Brazil, which makes the competitiveness in the field quite high. According to the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), there are more than 1 million registered lawyers in the country . This number may seem daunting, after all, it's a large number of professionals for the market.
Known for offering good opportunities, the legal market is also demanding when it comes to qualified professionals . Whether aiming to pass a public service exam or work in the private sector, it's necessary to develop a solid foundation and stay up-to-date, as new laws and decisions are constantly emerging.
But is it still possible to stand out, or is the field truly saturated? That's what we'll answer throughout this text, so keep reading to find out more.
1. What is the job market like in the legal field?
The legal market is vast and continues to grow, offering numerous career opportunities. However, at the same time, the number of active professionals has also increased, thus creating an imbalance between supply and demand. After all, what law student hasn't heard that the market is saturated?
It's fortunate that the legal field is quite broad, which somewhat reduces competition for job openings. Even though there are many professionals with law degrees, the wide scope ensures a sufficient number of job opportunities. You just have to go after them!
In addition to having a good supply of job openings, the legal sector also offers good remuneration. According to the Robert Half Salary Guide of 2020, many areas pay above R$7.000 , and can reach up to R$30.000 in legal careers and judiciaries.
2. What is a career like in the legal field?
The job market in Law is divided into three main career paths: advocacy, the public sector, and academia. Law also allows professionals to work completely autonomously, if they wish. Learn more about the possibilities:
Advocacy
Law is the field that serves the largest number of graduates, and it's a career that is always in high demand. Professionals in this area represent individuals legally, defending their interests both in and out of court proceedings.
In law practice, there are two main approaches: preventative and contentious. The difference lies in the existence or not of a conflict. If there is a conflict, the tendency is for a legal process to begin, hence the contentious approach.
Some professionals use their legal knowledge to start ventures in other areas as well. It's possible to work in companies across diverse sectors, such as notary offices and banks, for example.
Public sector
For those who choose the public sector, competitive examinations are the main way to access positions. These exams involve knowledge tests and, in some cases, evaluation of qualifications to rank candidates and select the best performers. It is the desired career path for many law graduates because of the job security and good pay.
Those who focus on a public career have two options. The first is reserved for law graduates, such as judges, prosecutors, and public defenders. The second encompasses higher-level positions in public administration, such as auditors and analysts.
Academic
An academic career is for those who prefer to remain more in the theoretical realm rather than delve into practical application, as in the careers mentioned above. In this sense, it is necessary to focus on specializing in a particular area and dedicate one's career to research and teaching.
To excel in an academic career, it's necessary to invest in education: starting with postgraduate studies, followed by a master's degree, a doctorate, and so on. Academics can never stop studying, always keeping up-to-date.
There are several possibilities within this career: teaching at a university, conducting research, writing books, creating preparatory courses, among others. It is also very common to see teachers creating their own blogs to share relevant content.
3. Main areas of Law
The legal market is increasingly thirsty for qualified, high-level professionals. There is not much room left for generalist lawyers, which highlights the importance of specializing and focusing on a specific legal field.
Some areas require more specialization, and learning about them from the start can help in making the right choice. Below, we will discuss some of the most traditional branches of law today and how they can provide excellent opportunities. Check it out!
Tax law
One of the highest-paying areas of law, but it's for those who truly enjoy it. So, if you're part of the group that likes it and are thinking about one day working on litigation involving taxes and fees or providing tax consulting services to your clients, Tax Law is for you.
The salary of a junior lawyer in the tax sector ranges from R$3,5 to R$8 , depending on the size of the company and the area (litigation or consulting). Career growth multiplies this amount, potentially reaching R$20 in large companies.
Electoral Law
Although elections occur every two years, there are prior stages that can generate various opportunities for specialists in Electoral Law . These include rejected candidacies, disagreements between candidates and parties, accountability, etc.
The average starting salary in this sector is R$5.750,49. However, salaries can reach R$14.421,52 . Furthermore, according to the OAB/SP (São Paulo Bar Association) fee schedule, the minimum value for legal actions in this area ranges from R$6.221,09 to R$17.419,07.
Civil right
Civil Law is one of the broadest branches of law. Therefore, lawyers can specialize in dozens of different areas, ranging from Real Estate Law to Family Law. It is also the area with the largest number of practicing independent lawyers.
Because it's a career with so many branches, salaries also vary greatly. In general, a civil lawyer earns between R$3 and R$17 , depending on the area they choose to work in and also the type of work they do (self-employed or not).
criminal law
Although Criminal Law is one of the most popular subjects in law school, few students decide to pursue a career as a criminal defense lawyer. Professionals can work for the accused or in the public sector.
Top criminal defense lawyers—who typically work on white-collar crimes—can receive very high fees from their clients. However, in general, the average salary in this field ranges between R$2,5 and R$10.
Labor law
It's no secret that the field of Labor Law offers a wide range of opportunities for legal professionals. Lawyers specializing in Labor Law play a crucial role in mediating disputes between companies and employees.
According to the Superior Labor Court (TST), in 2017 there were 2,5 million labor lawsuits pending in Brazil . This striking figure demonstrates the importance of the field, as lawyers are essential in these cases.
Earnings, however, can vary, but are still quite attractive. On average, they range between R$4.055,00 and R$14.004,34.
Digital Law
Finally, one of the newest and most promising areas of law: Digital Law . Its objective is to standardize and regulate the use of digital environments, especially commercial relationships and contracts between consumers and companies.
Furthermore, with recent changes in legislation, companies have to adapt to the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law), which has introduced new guidelines on liability in case of data breaches. The average salary for a lawyer is R$6.507,54, and can reach R$15.963,50.
4. How to stand out in the legal market?
The legal job market has a large number of professionals, so to stand out in your career it is necessary to make plans and do everything possible to fulfill them. The key word is: planning.
Law is a field that demands excellent results. Therefore, to stand out, you need to have some initiative. Don't wait for orders or requests to complete a task. Be proactive: take more risks and show that you have mastery over your profession.
A good legal professional should also cultivate the habit of reading and always stay informed about new developments. Not only in the legal world, but in society as a whole. Always stay updated and never stop studying!
Another super important point: don't forget about networking! Whenever possible, participate in courses, lectures, and seminars. They allow you to meet other lawyers and connect with prominent legal figures. Good networking can provide unique opportunities and partnerships.
5. How can a specialization help?
As we've already discussed, personal development is essential in the legal field. Regardless of your area of expertise, to stand out from the crowd, you need to invest in your studies, ensuring your resume is always up-to-date.
In a more demanding market, the most highly trained and prepared professionals stand out. In the legal field, changes in social relations require professionals to constantly update their knowledge.
Even if you don't have time to go to college and do a postgraduate degree, nowadays it's possible to specialize remotely! Like at IDP Online , for example, where classes are live with highly renowned professors.
Generally, professionals begin their careers as generalists, handling simpler legal matters. Later, they identify the area they are most drawn to and pursue a specialization, which is an important step in building their career.
During postgraduate studies, all the theoretical content is also presented from a practical perspective. This allows professionals to immediately apply what they have learned in class. Furthermore, they benefit from the experience of professors who work in the field and who daily combine theory and practice in a specific area of law.
Upon completion of the postgraduate course, the professional becomes a specialist in that area!
The legal market is quite demanding, but with dedication and planning it's possible to stand out.
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