The legal profession is a common one in Nigeria.  However, there are different sides to it when it comes to having a job. Lawyers can choose to specialize in different areas of their choice and also pick the industry they'd like to work for. While some lawyers may choose to be prosecutors or judges, others may decide to be legal consultants or advocates. Considering that there are aspiring lawyers, law enthusiasts, and certified lawyers, there will always be a question of what legal jobs are the most fulfilling and highest-paying ones. We are out to indulge you with this article, so, we have created a list of the highest-paying legal jobs and you may want to check them out. 

Highest Paying Legal Jobs

If you are still in law school or out but you need to know what legal jobs will pay you a decent salary, here you go:  

Real Estate Lawyers

A real estate lawyer handles legal matters related to property transactions - buying, selling, leasing, or real estate transfers. They make sure that property transactions are accurate and legally sound. Also, if a dispute ever arises during the process of buying or selling, the lawyer is responsible for protecting the rights of their clients. Usually, real estate lawyers are hired by real estate developers or real estate companies. According to Glassdoor, a real estate lawyer in Nigeria earns about N350,000 monthly. 

Corporate Lawyer

Corporate lawyers are mostly found working in the business world. They employ their legal knowledge to manage different aspects of corporation operations including contracts, business formation, mergers and acquisitions, employment, and every other area related to business. This well-paid field in the legal field also involves working with multinational companies, startups, and other businesses, providing legal guidance, and being a legal representation. A corporate lawyer in Nigeria is paid N500,000 monthly as salary, according to Glassdoor. 

Private Practice Lawyer

This is a lawyer who works freelance/independently without any employer or organization. They render their services to clients and business owners when necessary. This gives them the autonomy to represent as many clients as possible and handle a variety of legal matters. A private practice lawyer can be a family lawyer, criminal defense, or any other area that interests them. This freedom can be a good way to earn lucrative incomes because they are employed by different people who pay them for good services. Private practice lawyers earn N250,000 or more monthly, depending on the number of clients they work with. 

Intellectual Property Lawyer

Intellectual property lawyers help businesses and individuals handle legal actions toward assets created by human intelligence. Their job is to protect and enforce intellectual property rights on properties such as trademarks, business ideas, copyrights, and licensing. This means that intellectual property lawyers may work with creative professionals, business owners, startups, or even research institutions. The average salary for an intellectual property lawyer is N588,000 monthly, according to salaryexplorer.

Attorney

An attorney is a lawyer licensed to appear in court on behalf of their clients. The responsibilities of an attorney while showing up in court to represent their client include providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, negotiating on behalf of their clients, and continuously representing them in court proceedings if necessary. An attorney may choose to operate independently or work for an organization or business. Monthly, an attorney earns about N300,000 or more depending on the organization they work for.  

Contract lawyer

Contract lawyers are responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts on behalf of their clients. They prepare legally binding agreements that highlight the terms and conditions of a business relationship between their client and another person. On the flip side, if their client is receiving a contract instead, they help to review and interpret the contract provision accurately. The average salary of a contract lawyer is between NGN400,000 - NGN800,000 monthly. 

Litigator

The job of a litigator is to handle legal disputes through all stages, from pre-trial to appeal. They evaluate the case and advise clients on possible outcomes or strategies. Also, they gather evidence, prepare legal documents, present evidence, and negotiate or try other dispute resolution methods. The monthly salary range for litigators is between N450,000 - NGN800,000, according to salaryexplorer. 

Chief Legal Officers

Chief legal officers are top legal professionals saddled with the responsibility of managing all legal affairs and issuing guidance to top executives of a business and the board of directors. They identify legal risks on behalf of the organization and present strategies to tackle them. Also, they give advice and recommendations on employment-related legal matters which could range from labor law compliance to disputes. A chief legal officer also must make sure that all due diligence processes are followed. The average monthly salary of a Chief legal officer is NGN450,000, according to Glassdoor. 

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