1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
What is an Agency Legal Counsel?
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an agency legal counsel. For example, did you know that they make an average of $39.67 an hour? That's $82,523 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 50,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does an Agency Legal Counsel Do
There are certain skills that many agency legal counsels have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed analytical skills, problem-solving skills and speaking skills.
How To Become an Agency Legal Counsel
If you're interested in becoming an agency legal counsel, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 49.4% of agency legal counsels have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 16.5% of agency legal counsels have master's degrees. Even though most agency legal counsels have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Average Salary for an Agency Legal Counsel
Agency Legal Counsels in America make an average salary of $82,523 per year or $40 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $137,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $49,000 per year.
Average Agency Legal Counsel Salary
$82,523 Yearly$39.67 hourly
What Am I Worth?
Roles and Types of Agency Legal Counsel
There are several types of agency legal counsel, including:
Legal Extern
Role:
Let's rip the Band-Aid off, shall we? As a legal extern, you're probably not going to get paid. But what you take away from these opportunities may prove more useful in the longterm. What you'll take away from a legal externship will be experience and academic credit. Which really is priceless, if you ask us.
You'll have experience right off the bat within a legal setting. This definitely will give you an edge against your other colleagues. A legal extern is very similar to an internship, but is usually much shorter. So while you're getting the experience, you don't have to commit to it for as long.
Since being a legal extern won't last very long, it's a good way to see if you even want to work in the legal industry. It'll give you a glimpse into everything you will be doing, like conducting client interviews, making a court appearance, and even some legal research and writing. Just think of it as a very in-depth glimpse into "a day in the life" of a legal profession.
You'll have experience right off the bat within a legal setting. This definitely will give you an edge against your other colleagues. A legal extern is very similar to an internship, but is usually much shorter. So while you're getting the experience, you don't have to commit to it for as long.
Since being a legal extern won't last very long, it's a good way to see if you even want to work in the legal industry. It'll give you a glimpse into everything you will be doing, like conducting client interviews, making a court appearance, and even some legal research and writing. Just think of it as a very in-depth glimpse into "a day in the life" of a legal profession.
- Average Salary: $47,238
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Attorney
Role:
An attorney's job is to be there for people who are down on their luck, legally, of course. They provide legal advice to individuals, businesses and even government agencies (yes, the government can get into trouble too).
While a degree in law may not sound too bad, this profession also requires that you pass the bar exam. Which, if you haven't heard of before, it's pretty difficult to pass. If you're willing to put in the study hours, though, the average attorney makes $122,960 a year. So that's definitely a plus.
While a degree in law may not sound too bad, this profession also requires that you pass the bar exam. Which, if you haven't heard of before, it's pretty difficult to pass. If you're willing to put in the study hours, though, the average attorney makes $122,960 a year. So that's definitely a plus.
- Average Salary: $109,476
- Degree: Doctoral Degree
Contract Attorney
Role:
Whether you're a recent law graduate or a seasoned professional with years of experience, becoming a contract attorney might be the best way to generate money using your legal skills. Working as a contract attorney may help secure your dream position, or it may help you make a steady income while you search for that dream job. Not only will you learn valuable skills, but you can also build a valuable network of professional contacts.
In general, a contract attorney works on legal cases on an as-needed or temporary basis. Contracts can be for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years. Generally, a contract lawyer's core responsibility is drawing up and reviewing legal contracts and documents. They may also perform contract research, prepare case strategies, offer legal advisory services to clients, and support the litigation team.
This position requires a bachelor's degree, a Juris Doctor (J.D.), a law degree, and a Bar certification. Contract lawyers must possess excellent research and multitasking skills, be detail-oriented, and have an ability to adapt to new situations regularly. They may work for an agency, serve as a part of an in-house legal department, or work for a law firm.
In general, a contract attorney works on legal cases on an as-needed or temporary basis. Contracts can be for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years. Generally, a contract lawyer's core responsibility is drawing up and reviewing legal contracts and documents. They may also perform contract research, prepare case strategies, offer legal advisory services to clients, and support the litigation team.
This position requires a bachelor's degree, a Juris Doctor (J.D.), a law degree, and a Bar certification. Contract lawyers must possess excellent research and multitasking skills, be detail-oriented, and have an ability to adapt to new situations regularly. They may work for an agency, serve as a part of an in-house legal department, or work for a law firm.
- Average Salary: $97,474
- Degree: Doctoral Degree
States With The Most Agency Legal Counsel Jobs
Number Of Agency Legal Counsel Jobs By State
| Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 794 | $113,688 |
| 2 | New York | 381 | $119,674 |
| 3 | Florida | 323 | $73,605 |
| 4 | Texas | 320 | $81,021 |
| 5 | Washington | 218 | $81,472 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 196 | $126,467 |
| 7 | Illinois | 186 | $99,395 |
| 8 | Georgia | 155 | $69,161 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 144 | $91,531 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 135 | $116,021 |
| 11 | Virginia | 134 | $95,019 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 133 | $84,275 |
| 13 | Colorado | 127 | $77,471 |
| 14 | Ohio | 109 | $76,826 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 106 | $74,073 |
| 16 | Michigan | 92 | $85,357 |
| 17 | Arizona | 89 | $90,529 |
| 18 | Maryland | 78 | $92,468 |
| 19 | Missouri | 72 | $58,165 |
| 20 | Oregon | 61 | $93,084 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 58 | $78,039 |
| 22 | Indiana | 54 | $66,927 |
| 23 | Utah | 53 | $84,276 |
| 24 | Connecticut | 44 | $97,510 |
| 25 | Arkansas | 41 | $66,485 |
| 26 | Tennessee | 38 | $85,404 |
| 27 | Alabama | 36 | $70,999 |
| 28 | Kentucky | 32 | $71,211 |
| 29 | South Carolina | 30 | $72,503 |
| 30 | Kansas | 27 | $68,506 |
| 31 | Delaware | 22 | $94,228 |
| 32 | Iowa | 22 | $77,079 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | 21 | $83,494 |
| 34 | Nebraska | 21 | $71,789 |
| 35 | West Virginia | 20 | $86,281 |
| 36 | Nevada | 18 | $75,096 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | 16 | $91,121 |
| 38 | Idaho | 16 | $70,726 |
| 39 | Montana | 16 | $63,751 |
| 40 | North Dakota | 15 | $71,000 |
| 41 | Louisiana | 14 | $72,960 |
| 42 | Maine | 13 | $59,272 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | 13 | $62,269 |
| 44 | Alaska | 12 | $89,692 |
| 45 | Mississippi | 11 | $62,121 |
| 46 | Vermont | 9 | $96,436 |
| 47 | New Mexico | 8 | $69,893 |
| 48 | Hawaii | 8 | $59,612 |
| 49 | Wyoming | 6 | $66,297 |
| 50 | South Dakota | 6 | $66,405 |
Top Colleges for Agency Legal Counsels
2. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-State Tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
5. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-State Tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
6. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-State Tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-State Tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
Top Skills For an Agency Legal Counsel
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 32.4% of agency legal counsels listed legal research on their resume, but soft skills such as analytical skills and problem-solving skills are important as well.
Agency Legal Counsel Demographics
Agency Legal Counsel Gender Distribution
Female
56%
Male
44%
After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- Among agency legal counsels, 55.7% of them are women, while 44.3% are men.
- The most common race/ethnicity among agency legal counsels is White, which makes up 75.2% of all agency legal counsels.
- The most common foreign language among agency legal counsels is Luganda at 50.0%.
Online Courses For Agency Legal Counsel That You May Like
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1. Artificial Intelligence and legal issues
The purpose of the course is to help students understand the legal implications related to the design and use of artificial intelligence systems, providing an overview of the risks and legal protections that can be envisaged and giving an overview of the legislation and legal principles currently applicable on the subject. In particular, the profiles of civil and criminal liability, protection in terms of intellectual property and the impacts of AI on the fundamental rights of the individual -...
See More on Coursera2. Legal Contracts and Agreements for Entrepreneurs
This course focuses on how legal contracts may impact or impede the success of aspiring and active entrepreneurs. We explore a wide variety of legal considerations, including: * What types of legal contracts and agreements are appropriate for which entrepreneurial activities and actions? * What is the role of torts, liability, and negligence in creating and managing products and services? * How should contracts and sales agreements be created, evaluated, and negotiated? * What legal...
See More on Coursera3. Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law
The digital revolution changed the way we communicate and trade. Now, it is coming into the world of law. This program will give you a broad overview of the main trends that are affecting the legal industry: - The birth of the legal tech market and the application of technology in law. - The role of artificial intelligence in the automation of the work of lawyers. - Blockchain technology and its impact on the way we sign and execute contracts. - Initiatives to ensure access to justice through...
See More on CourseraJob type you want
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How Do Agency Legal Counsel Rate Their Jobs?
Top Agency Legal Counsel Employers
Most Common Employers For Agency Legal Counsel
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cipriani & Werner, P.C. | $147,000 | $70.67 | 1 |
| 2 | The Marketing Arm | $120,585 | $57.97 | 1 |
| 3 | Occidental Petroleum | $119,707 | $57.55 | 1 |
| 4 | Cascade Health | $109,081 | $52.44 | 2 |
| 5 | First American Financial | $99,726 | $47.95 | 2 |
| 6 | Albany International | $87,647 | $42.14 | 1 |
| 7 | EverHome Mortgage Inc | $87,642 | $42.14 | 1 |
| 8 | Fidelity National Title | $85,188 | $40.96 | 1 |
| 9 | USAF Police Alumni Association | $85,112 | $40.92 | 1 |
| 10 | AT&T | $84,246 | $40.50 | 1 |