What Next?: Types of Lawyers You Can Be in the Philippines 2026

The legal profession is a highly specialized yet very diverse field and figuring out what type of lawyer you want to be can be an overwhelming task. With various job descriptions, salary ranges, and even possible employers, it’s difficult to find a single place where you can learn all about the career opportunities you have as a future (or even present) lawyer.   

Because of this, this blog aims to introduce and inform future lawyers about their possible career paths in the Philippines after passing the bar exams.

What Are the Different Types of Lawyers in the Philippines?

Generally, the legal education system in the Philippines does not classify law students into different career tracks while they are in school. Unlike Germany and many other countries’ law curricula, law schools in the Philippines offer similar legal subjects, both core and minor courses.

Because of this, Philippine law students are given more leeway and freedom in how and when they choose what type of lawyer they want to be. Compiled below are some common types of lawyers you can strive to be. Note that this list is not exhaustive depending on what employer you choose to work with.

1. Litigation Lawyer

The most famous type of lawyer all over the world is a litigator because this is the profession you mostly see represented in TV shows and movies. A litigator specializes in handling trial and court hearings where they represent clients during the entire case process.

The primary work of a litigator is preparing case briefs and court documents, and of course, appearing and arguing before the Court. Possible employers are also vast, from private corporations to public or government agencies such as the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) or the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

2. Corporate Lawyer

A corporate lawyer is one that is hired solely by private companies to draft and review their contracts, handle company formation, mergers, and acquisitions, and ensure compliance with government regulations. 

The biggest employers an aspiring corporate lawyer can have are banks such Banco De Oro (BDO) or Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) or real estate corporations such as Ayala Corporation or SM Development Corporation (SMDC).

3. Government Lawyer

A government lawyer on the other hand are hired by government agencies or government owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and they provide legal services for the Republic of the Philippines or the public sector. A government lawyer focuses on protecting public interests, and enforcing laws.

Examples of employers hiring government lawyers are the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), and the various trial courts all over the country. 

4. Estate Planning Lawyers

One of the more uncommon types of lawyers are those involved in estate planning or the execution of a dead person’s last will and testament. The main job of an estate planning lawyers is to successfully execute the provisions of a will. If there is no will, an estate planning lawyer then attempts to help the heirs reach an agreement on how the estate of their predecessor will be divided.

5. Tax Lawyers

Tax lawyers are Certified Public Accountants (CPA) who practice their profession by ensuring compliance and payment according to existing tax laws. They are mostly hired by private companies to handle their accounts and to make sure that they pay their taxes accurately and on time. 

6. Intellectual Property Lawyers

Another interesting type of lawyer are intellectual property lawyers. Through the Intellectual Property Code and other relevant laws and issuances, these kinds of lawyers seek to protect and enforce their clients’ rights over the creations such as inventions, computer programs, and literary or artistic works.

They can also work for private media corporations such as ABS-CBN or Canva.

7. Prosecutors

Prosecutors, much like litigators, appear and argue in courtrooms. They represent the People in criminal cases and to do this, their main job is to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. They are hired by the government specifically by the local trial courts or the Department of Justice.

8. Family Lawyers

Family lawyers are engaged in one of the most heart-warming but at times, heartbreaking fields of law. They handle cases concerning adoption and mediations but they also handle cases of annulment and child custody.

Unlike the lawyers above, family lawyers can be solo practitioners since their clients are not corporations but are individual families.

Considerations in Choosing the Type of Lawyer for You

Now that you’ve got a general idea of the various career paths you have as a budding lawyer, narrowing down these choices can greatly help you decide. Consider the following:

• Interests and Passion

During your law school days, you can already get a glimpse of what subjects interest you the most or what advocacies you would like to fight for. For instance, if you are highly interested in criminal law, you would definitely enjoy litigation work and prosecution whereas if you enjoy taxation or is licensed as a CPA, you can consider being a tax lawyer. 

• Strengths and Weaknesses

Aside from interests and passion, consider also the areas you are good or not-so-good at. This helps you be more aligned with your skillset so that the learning curve will not be as harsh. 

For instance, litigation or prosecution requires competence in criminal law or remedial law.

• Salary Range

Lastly, while being a lawyer is indeed not a money-making venture, having information on salary ranges can be helpful in deciding which career tracks to take.

Corporate lawyers tend to have larger salary ranges from P70,000 to P100,000 per month depending on the company you are working with or the extent of your work responsibilities. Litigators, on the other hand, tend to have a more erratic salary range depending on the clients you acquire.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the highest paid type of lawyer in the Philippines?

While all lawyers in the Philippines are generally well-compensated, corporate lawyers are known to have monthly salaries reaching up to six-digits depending on their employer.

What type of lawyer is most needed?

Each type of lawyer serves different purposes however the one most needed in the Philippines at the moment are labor lawyers and human rights lawyers.

What does CPA lawyer mean?

A CPA or a Certified Public Accountant lawyer is a type of practitioner who specializes in taxation law.

Which type of lawyer is the most common?

The most common type of lawyer in the Philippines is a corporate lawyer or litigator.

What ttpe of lawyer is most needed?

In many jurisdictions such as in, brampton personal injury lawyers are also in high demand because they help victims recover compensation after accidents.

Conclusion

The legal profession offers a wide variety of possible career paths each offering their own unique responsibilities, work environment, and opportunities for growth. At this point in time, you don’t need to know exactly what you want to be after passing the bar but knowing your options and considerations surely help.