The law industry has been a popular choice as a profession for many Canadians. However, hiring a lawyer is time-consuming and costly, so many individuals are looking for other options for their legal needs.
Consumers are fighting back against high rates. The economy has suffered in recent years, and the law business has taken a hit. People no longer pay the steep price that comes with hiring an attorney. Cheaper options are available.
The average hourly salary for a lawyer is around $337. However, lawyer salaries in the country are lower than they were a year ago. The median salary for a first-year attorney is around $70,000, down around $3,000 from the previous year. People desiring to become attorneys need to be aware of the fact that the number of lawyers in the country keeps growing each year, and the average retirement age is 75.
Instead of becoming an attorney, some people are choosing to be paralegals that can do the same work as an attorney at half the price. Many people are wondering, “How much do paralegals make?” The median salary of a paralegal is around $47,000. This is quite lower than an attorney, but paralegals are beginning to receive more business than lawyers.
With additional access to technology, clients have starting questioning the importance of needing a lawyer. Clients want attorneys to have more reasonable fees. Attorneys have always been able to bill individuals by the hour at will, and sometimes, clients are nickeled and dimed. In some cases, people are not even aware of what they have been charged.
In addition, many conflicts and disputes can be resolved online. These services are cheaper than going to court, and the resolution can be solved more quickly. Ebay helps settle millions of conflicts annually. In the near future, online legal services will be offered for just about any legal matter needed. Legal suppliers will be able to provide services, and clients will be able to search the background and credentials of a lawyer. Online auctions will also be available, and clients can bid on legal services. Therefore, people need to think twice before becoming an attorney in Canada.