Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
30 Oct 2004 09:24 PDT
Shaggy,
A thought!
The US Department of Labor recently updated and expanded its series of
occupational titles and job descriptions, in a new system known as
O-NET. It is very detailed and comprehensive. I wonder if this might
be a better and more authoritative source than a magazine/journal
article?
Here's what O-NET has to say about lawyers:
==========
http://online.onetcenter.org/report?r=1&id=237
Details Report for:
23-1011.00 - Lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal
proceedings, draw up legal documents, and manage or advise clients on
legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice
broadly in many areas of law.
Tasks
Act as agent, trustee, guardian, or executor for businesses or individuals.
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability,
advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and
obligations.
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation
for presentation of cases.
Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.
Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions, by
such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the
facts of a case.
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.
Prepare and draft legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent
applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
Prepare legal briefs and opinions, and file appeals in state and
federal courts of appeal.
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal
or civil litigation.
Probate wills and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates.
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
Search for and examine public and other legal records to write
opinions or establish ownership.
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges and question witnesses
during the course of a trial.
Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances
of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal
issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.
Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.
Supervise legal assistants.
Help develop federal and state programs, draft and interpret laws and
legislation, and establish enforcement procedures.
Work as law school faculty member or administrator.
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste
disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state
and federal agencies.
-----------------
Work Activities
[ranked by "importance", although these rankings obviously change
depending on the particular nature of one's job. All activities with
an importance ranking of 20 or more are listed below]:
96 Getting Information ? Observing, receiving, and otherwise
obtaining information from all relevant sources.
--interview crime witnesses or victims to obtain descriptive information
--obtain information from witnesses, attorneys, or litigants
--review civil rights laws
--search legal records
88 Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge ? Keeping up-to-date
technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
apply court rules or strategy
--apply legal concepts to medical reports or documents
--follow confidentiality procedures
--follow contract, property, or insurance laws
--follow copyright laws
--follow professional ethics principles in law practice
--follow rules of evidence procedures in legal setting
--follow tax laws or regulations
--use administrative law
--use case logic or precedent
--use conflict resolution techniques
--use interviewing procedures
--use knowledge of environmental laws and regulations
--use knowledge of investigation techniques
--use knowledge of judicial system
--use knowledge of legal procedural rules
--use knowledge of relevant laws
--use library or online Internet research techniques
--use public speaking techniques
--use research methodology procedures in legal cases or issues
83 Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others ? Translating
or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
--explain government laws or regulations
--interpret laws or legislation
79 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events ? Identifying information
by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities,
and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
--understand legal terminology
79 Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards ?
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine
whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or
standards.
--determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution
--examine data against legal precedents
--examine evidence to determine if it will support charges
79 Making Decisions and Solving Problems ? Analyzing information and
evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
decide causes of legal action
79 Communicating with Persons Outside Organization ? Communicating
with people outside the organization, representing the organization to
customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This
information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or
e-mail.
--communicate technical information
--confer with prosecuting attorney
--make presentations
--write legal correspondence
75 Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates ? Providing
information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
in written form, e-mail, or in person.
75 Provide Consultation and Advice to Others ? Providing guidance and
expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or
process-related topics.
advise clients or customers
--recommend claim action
75 Selling or Influencing Others ? Convincing others to buy
merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
71 Documenting/Recording Information ? Entering, transcribing,
recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or
electronic/magnetic form.
67 Analyzing Data or Information ? Identifying the underlying
principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down
information or data into separate parts.
analyze data to discover facts in case
--analyze existing evidence or facts
--analyze legal questions
67 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work ? Developing specific
goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
63 Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People ? Assessing
the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
58 Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others ? Handling
complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts,
or otherwise negotiating with others.
conduct legal hearings
--participate in appeals hearings
54 Developing Objectives and Strategies ? Establishing long-range
objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
50 Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events,
or Information ? Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or
determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a
work activity.
50 Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships ?
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with
others, and maintaining them over time.
46 Processing Information ? Compiling, coding, categorizing,
calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
--compile evidence for court actions
--compile information for court cases
--conduct legal research
--identify laws or court decisions relevant to pending cases
46 Assisting and Caring for Others ? Providing personal assistance,
medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others
such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
42 Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings ? Monitoring and
reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to
detect or assess problems.
42 Training and Teaching Others ? Identifying the educational needs
of others, developing formal educational or training programs or
classes, and teaching or instructing others.
--teach college level courses
38 Performing for or Working Directly with the Public ? Performing
for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
38 Performing Administrative Activities ? Performing day-to-day
administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and
processing paperwork.
file documents in court
--organize legal information or records
29 Thinking Creatively ? Developing, designing, or creating new
applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including
artistic contributions.
draft laws or legislation
--draw up agreements in accordance with laws
--write legal documents
29 Scheduling Work and Activities ? Scheduling events, programs, and
activities, as well as the work of others.
29 Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others ? Getting members
of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
--direct collection, preparation, or handling of evidence
--direct serving of legal documents
25 Interacting With Computers ? Using computers and computer systems
(including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up
functions, enter data, or process information.
25 Monitoring and Controlling Resources ? Monitoring and controlling
resources and overseeing the spending of money.
21 Performing General Physical Activities ? Performing physical
activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and
moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking,
stooping, and handling of materials.
21 Developing and Building Teams ? Encouraging and building mutual
trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
==========
Hard to ask for a better list than this.
What do you think?
pafalafa-ga
