What Type of Law Makes Lawyers the Most Money?

When people ask what type of law gives you the most money, they’re not just curious about the law-they’re wondering if it’s worth the years of study, the stress, and the long hours. The truth? Not all lawyers earn the same. Some spend their careers handling custody disputes for a few thousand dollars a case. Others walk away with millions after a single trial. The difference isn’t just skill-it’s the field they choose.

Personal Injury Law Leads the Pack

If you’re looking for the highest earnings potential in law, personal injury law is where the big money is. Lawyers in this field work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if they win. That sounds risky, but it’s also incredibly lucrative. A successful personal injury attorney can take home 30% to 40% of a settlement. When a client gets a $2 million payout, the lawyer walks away with $600,000 to $800,000. That’s not a typo.

These cases often involve car accidents, medical malpractice, or workplace injuries where negligence is clear. Insurance companies know they’re on the hook for big payouts, so they settle early if the evidence is strong. Top personal injury firms in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch regularly handle cases worth over $1 million. One firm in Wellington settled a spinal injury case for $3.4 million in 2024. The lawyer’s cut? Over $1 million.

Corporate Law Pays Well, But It’s Not All Glitz

Corporate lawyers don’t usually work on contingency. They get paid by the hour, often $500 to $1,200 an hour. That sounds great until you realize they’re billing 60 to 80 hours a week. Big firms like Bell Gully or Chapman Tripp pay associates $150,000 to $250,000 in their first few years. Partners can earn $800,000 to $2 million a year.

But here’s the catch: corporate law is about mergers, contracts, compliance, and tax structures. It’s not dramatic. No courtroom drama. No emotional clients. You’re reading dense documents, negotiating terms, and making sure companies don’t break the law. It’s steady, high-paying work-but it’s not for everyone. If you crave excitement, this might feel like watching paint dry.

Family Law Attorney: High Volume, Low Pay

Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division. It’s emotionally heavy work. Clients are hurting, scared, or angry. The cases are messy. And the pay? It’s nowhere near personal injury or corporate law.

Most family law cases settle for $5,000 to $15,000 in legal fees. Even if you handle 100 cases a year at $10,000 each, that’s $1 million in revenue. But after overhead-staff, rent, software, marketing-you’re lucky to net $300,000. Many family lawyers make between $80,000 and $150,000 a year. That’s a solid income, but it’s not life-changing.

Why do they do it? Because they care. Many family lawyers say they’re helping people rebuild their lives. But if your goal is to get rich, this isn’t the field to pick.

Why Some Lawyers Earn More Than Others

It’s not just the type of law-it’s how you run your practice.

• Contingency vs. Hourly: Personal injury lawyers get paid when they win. Corporate lawyers get paid whether they win or not. One is risk-based; the other is predictable.
• Case size: A single class-action lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company can net a lawyer $10 million. A routine divorce? $8,000.
• Location: Lawyers in Auckland earn more than those in smaller towns. But the cost of living is higher, too.
• Specialization: A lawyer who only does brain injury cases will make more than one who handles everything from traffic tickets to custody battles.

There’s also the power of reputation. A lawyer known for winning big settlements gets referred more cases. Word spreads fast in legal circles. One well-known personal injury attorney in Christchurch got 90% of his clients from referrals last year. He didn’t advertise. He just won.

What About Criminal Law or Employment Law?

Criminal defense lawyers can make decent money, especially if they handle high-profile cases. But most are court-appointed or work for legal aid, which pays poorly. Private criminal defense attorneys charge $300 to $600 an hour, but cases rarely go beyond $50,000 total.

Employment law is similar. Lawyers help people sue employers for discrimination or wrongful termination. Settlements average $40,000 to $100,000. Fees are usually 30% to 40%. That means $12,000 to $40,000 per case. Solid, but not life-altering.

Neither field comes close to the big wins in personal injury or corporate law.

The Real Trade-Off: Money vs. Meaning

Let’s be honest: money isn’t everything. Personal injury lawyers often deal with people who’ve been permanently injured. They’re not just chasing cash-they’re fighting for justice. Corporate lawyers might work on deals that move billions, but they rarely meet the people affected.

Family law attorneys sit with parents who’ve lost custody of their kids. They help victims of domestic violence get safety orders. That kind of work doesn’t pay like a Fortune 500 merger, but it changes lives.

Some lawyers switch fields. They start in corporate law to pay off student loans, then move to personal injury or family law when they want more meaning. Others stay in high-paying roles because they love the challenge, not the money.

There’s no single right answer. But if your main goal is to make the most money possible, personal injury law is your best bet. It’s the only field where one case can change your financial future.

How to Get Into High-Paying Law

If you’re serious about maximizing your earnings:

1. Specialize early. Don’t try to be a generalist. Pick a niche like traumatic brain injury or product liability.
2. Build a reputation. Win cases. Get published. Speak at legal seminars.
3. Work with a firm that handles contingency cases. Solo practitioners can do it, but it’s harder without support.
4. Invest in marketing. A strong website and Google ads can bring in dozens of high-value cases a year.
5. Don’t take every case. Turn down small claims. Focus on cases with real financial stakes.

The top 10% of personal injury lawyers in New Zealand earn over $500,000 a year. The bottom 50% make under $90,000. The difference? Strategy, focus, and discipline.

Final Thought: It’s Not Just About the Paycheck

Law is a profession, not just a job. The highest-paid lawyers aren’t always the happiest. The most fulfilled lawyers often work in fields that don’t pay the most.

But if your goal is to earn the most money possible-without switching careers-you’re better off in personal injury law than anywhere else. It’s the only legal field where a single win can put you in a different financial league.