jobs when you can't find one as a lawyer

by Lorna Kreiger PhD 9 min read

If you're looking for a career outside of a law office, there are several professions to consider.
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Alternative jobs for lawyers
  • Paralegal. ...
  • Investigator. ...
  • Investment consultant. ...
  • Mediator. ...
  • Fund manager. ...
  • Financial analyst. ...
  • Realtor. ...
  • Labor relations specialist.

Where can I find a job as a non lawyer?

There are also a few other sites around the web that provide resources for lawyers seeking a career change: Georgetown Law’s alternative careers page. The Canadian Bar Association’s alternative careers page. ABA for Students’ alternative career paths. Life After Law’s job board. Non-Lawyer Jobs for Lawyers from Santa Clara Law School.

What can I do instead of being a lawyer?

More alternative careers for lawyers. Outside of the list above, here are 44 other jobs to consider after being a lawyer: Account manager. Bail bondsman. Banker. Border patrol. Career counselor. Contract administrator.

How to get a job with a law firm?

If not, the best way to get around the hurdle is to use the resources and contacts you have established in your career to land a job with a law firm. You will be surprised by the amount of contacts you have established in your career if you sit down and generate a list.

Are you looking for a career outside of a law office?

If you're looking for a career outside of a law office, there are several professions to consider. Many industries even offer positions where you can use the skills and expertise you learned in law school. Knowing your options can help you make a more informed decision regarding your future career outside of the legal landscape.

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Is it hard to find work as a lawyer?

It's easy to find a job as a lawyer, right? Not necessarily. Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all the graduating law school students.

What is the easiest law job?

Estate Planning Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.

What are three similar occupations to a lawyer?

Similar Occupations About this sectionOccupationJob Duties2021 MEDIAN PAYJudges and Hearing OfficersJudges and hearing officers apply the law by overseeing the legal process in courts.$128,710Paralegals and Legal AssistantsParalegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.$56,2302 more rows•Apr 18, 2022

What can you do with a law degree outside of law?

Let's take a look at some career paths law school grads in the US might consider....Nonlaw Careers for Legal GraduatesCommunications and entertainment. ... Business and politics. ... Research and reporting. ... Auditing and enforcement.

What type of lawyers are the happiest?

The happiest attorneys, therefore, are those who experience a cultural fit. This means they work for firms where they are free to act independently, do work that matters to them and collaborate on teams with people who complement their personality and communication style.

How many lawyers are unhappy?

Studies show that 56% of lawyers are frustrated with their careers.

What type of law is least stressful?

However, there are many sectors of law which are less stressful:Real estate law.Intellectual property law.High Street family law.Government lawyers.Working In-House.

Is being a lawyer fun?

Being a lawyer can be very fun and very rewarding. But as the other posts have indicated it requires a lot of work, time, money, and attention to detail. As with most challenging things in life it can be well worth it. You indicated that your parents want you to be a lawyer.

Is law still a good career?

The legal profession is one of the most lucrative industries in today's job market. Double-digit growth in recent years has produced healthy revenues and rising salaries. Associates in the nation's largest law firms start at $150,000 to $180,000, and partners earn average salaries in excess of $1.2 million.

Is law a high paying career?

Many top law firms are paying the highest salaries to their employees in India. The tier I law firms pay[2] 10-17 lakhs per annum for a fresh graduate and if a fresher can glorify him in the firm , the salary would range from around 80 lakhs to 1 Crore.

What is the highest paying attorney job?

11 of the highest-paying lawyersImmigration lawyer. National average salary: $67,296 per year. ... Employment law associate. National average salary: $83,580 per year. ... Personal injury lawyer. ... Civil litigation attorney. ... Real estate attorney. ... Intellectual property attorney. ... Bankruptcy lawyer. ... Family lawyer.More items...•

How much do paralegals make?

$56,610 per yearAccording to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), legal assistants/paralegals earn an average salary of $56,610 per year ($27.22 per hour). Average pay will vary based on the state in which you are employed, the education you've earned and level of experience in the field.

How do I become a court clerk?

Many small courts only require a high school diploma, along with on-the-job training. Some courts will prefer an associate degree in Criminal Justice or a related field. Federal courts typically require master’s or law degrees.

How do I become a paralegal?

How to become a paralegal: Earn an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, or obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field and complete a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. 2. Bailiff. Bailiffs (sometimes called marshals or court officers) are responsible for keeping everyone safe and secure in the courtroom.

How much does a court reporter make?

They also organize transcriptions and edit them for typos. Median annual salary (2019) : $49,500 1.

How many hours do I need to become a mediator?

How to become a mediator: Requirements for becoming a mediator vary by state, though most require 20 to 40 hours of training and working under an experienced mediator until they have gained adequate experience. 4. Court reporter. Court reporters produce word-for-word transcriptions of court cases and hearings.

What is a mediator in a dispute?

That’s where a mediator comes in. Mediators are neutral parties who meet with disputing parties in a private hearing outside of court.

What is the job of a court reporter?

It’s their job to document the legal proceedings and provide an accurate record of what occurs within the courtroom. Court reporters must possess an eye for detail.

What is a paralegal?

Paralegal. Paralegals are the valuable support team behind every successful lawyer. These legal professionals are privy to all the inside details of a case. They conduct legal research, summarize information, gather and organize evidence and offer any other assistance a lawyer may need in preparing for trial.

What are the qualities of a good lawyer?

The same qualities required to be great lawyer must be mastered to excel in broadcast journalism: 1 Judgment: draw reasonable, logical conclusions or assumptions from limited information 2 Analytical skills: distill large piece of information into something manageable 3 Research skills: able to research quickly and effectively 4 People skills: be personable, persuasive and able to read others

What is the job of a real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers serve two primary functions in the real estate world. They either act as litigators or handle the legal aspects of real estate transactions. Real estate lawyers deal in real property and mediate real estate transactions gone sour. A real estate lawyer must obtain a juris doctor (JD) degree from a school accredited by the American Bar Association along with an attorney’s license through passing the bar exam. Some law schools may provide the option of specializing one’s studies around real estate law. After graduation, continuing education may be required yearly or every three years as it is so in forty-five states.

What is the Attorney General's Honors Program?

Within The United States Department of Justice is the Attorney General’s Honors Program-the largest and most prestigious federal entry-level attorney hiring program of its kind. Every year, various components and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices hire entry-level attorneys through the Honors Program. The number of entry-level attorney positions varies from year to year. Eligibility is generally limited to graduating law students and recent law school graduates who entered judicial clerkships, graduate law programs, or qualifying legal fellowships within 9 months of law school graduation and who meet additional eligibility requirements.

How many hours do you have to work in a law firm?

The 40+% who chose to work in a law firm may be subjected to 70 hours of work weekly. Unless, you are fortunate enough to start your own practice, be prepared to put in 12 hour days and weekends. The financial benefits can be substantial, especially in personal injury law, but your personal life may be non-existent.

What is a legal consultant?

A legal consultant is someone who provides expert and professional legal advice on a contractual basis to businesses and/or individuals. Legal consultants can provide advice on a number of important matters depending on what their consulting focus is, and common subject matters include corporate law, real estate law, employment law, and medical law. This profession provides individuals with opportunities to utilize their legal skills in ways not traditionally associated with firm practice. This kind of lawyer may also advise their clients on non-legal matters. However, the basis of their advice is always the law or precedent case law which helps the client to make a better deal or run their business better.

Which law schools have clerkships?

The Top Law Schools have the largest proportion of graduates working at clerkships, namely, Yale, Stanford, and Harvard.

Which presidents have law degrees?

The trend doesn’t stop at this level as President Obama, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and James Madison all graduated with law degrees. Noteworthy is Hilary Clinton, currently campaigning to be the next U.S. president, who graduated from Yale Law School in 1973.

What is the best career option for a lawyer?

Another alternative career option for lawyers is public relations. If you're any good at networking and building professional relationships, PR is a viable option for you. Most positions are within large corporate firms, but there is a number of smaller, boutique agencies popping up, where you may find a more hands-on role. Many agencies niche by industry as well, so if you're interested in sports, you might well find a PR agency that specialises in just that.

What are some other jobs that lawyers can do in Australia?

Options for Australian lawyers include the ACCC, Federal Police, ASIC and the ATO, just to mention a few.

What is journalism in law?

Lawyers typically have stellar interview and investigatory skills, and a real interest in telling people's stories. The road to the top as a journalist is a long one, but there are opportunities in various formats if you're willing to start at the beginning. You might need to re-learn how to write non-legalese, but that should be fun.

What is the upside of being a lawyer?

The upside is that you get exposure to a wide range of businesses and industries and can choose to specialise over time. This role requires high-level analytical skills (which usually isn't an issue for lawyers) and a high degree of creativity (which can be a problem for some). ‍.

Is recruitment a good career?

Whether it is in legal recruitment, or working in a myriad of other niche areas, recruitment is a real career option for lawyers. If you love to be paid for what you put in, enjoy helping people, have high EQ and some commercial nous, it could be a good fit for you. Recruitment also massively expands your network, give you useful industry insights and allows you to keep being a trusted advisor to your candidates and clients.

Is marketing a career for lawyers?

If you're more on the creative side, marketing is an alternative career for lawyers to consider . You can easily teach yourself the digital marketing skills required with one of the many online courses out there. Once you've learnt the ropes, you have the option of working in-house (at a start-up or an established business), at an agency or freelancing.

Can a lawyer start a business?

Lawyers are particularly well-suited to starting their own businesses, as they (typically) have the intellect and commercial acumen that start-up-land demands. This option is a big leap, and it's not a decision to make lightly, as your first few years will likely be spent on zero salary and not a whole lot of sleep.

The Best Questions to Ask when Facing Fear and Changing Careers

These are a great starting point to make a career shift, but also help in mapping out some of the boundaries or consequences of that choice.

The Paint Drop Method: A Way to Figure Out What to Do After Leaving Law

My friend Taylor Pearson wrote a post in April 2019 about how people can figure out what they should do with their lives. Even if went through that process to become a lawyer, you’re on this page because you may want a change.

Resources: Books and Articles to Support a Career Change

Life After Law: Finding Work You Love with the J.D. You Have, by Liz Brown (2013). Book summary: the book” provides specific, realistic, and honest advice on alternative careers for lawyers.

Resources and Articles: Jobs for Lawyers Leaving the Law

Before I quit my job as a lawyer, I found it really helpful to read through case studies and details from former lawyers. This both bolstered my courage, but also showed me how many others have taken the leap and landed on their feet.

What is a lawyer's role in the workplace?

Lawyers' strong communication skills and understanding of employment law often makes them good candidates for this role.

What do law professors do?

Primary Duties: Law professors teach legal principles to college and university students. They develop syllabi, deliver lectures and lead classroom discussions. These academic professionals also administer exams, assign essays and calculate grades. Law professors advise students about academic goals and legal careers, and they may also publish papers in legal journals to advance their own careers.

Do lawyers provide legal assistance?

They may assist with divorces, business transactions, workers' compensation and other issues. Although they do not provide legal assistance, lawyers are likely to find that their legal backgrounds help them understand both sides of complex issues and negotiate mutually agreeable solutions.

What does an attorney do for a company?

Attorneys in this field ensure that product and service ads comply with legal prohibitions against defrauding, deceiving or misleading consumers. Lawyers who specialize in advertising law also advise companies about how to make persuasive sales pitches that obey consumer protection laws and regulations. They also have expertise in preventing and managing advertising-related lawsuits.

What is the job of a media lawyer?

A media lawyer might protect a reporter from a subpoena that asks him or her to reveal an anonymous source while entertainment lawyers may negotiate recording contracts. Political lawyer or policy attorney. Law school can prepare graduates for a range of policy careers and political positions.

What is a human rights lawyer?

Human rights or civil rights lawyer. Some lawyers specialize in representing clients with human rights or civil rights cases. Attorneys who represent clients whose rights have been violated by employers or other organizations say this work can be highly stressful but emotionally rewarding. Immigration attorney.

What does an immigration lawyer do?

Immigration lawyers help their clients navigate the many rules of the immigration process. They also occasionally provide legal advice to employers affected by immigration laws. Some immigration lawyers help the government interpret and enforce immigration law. Intellectual property lawyer.

What is an environmental lawyer?

An environmental attorney has legal expertise in interpreting environmental laws and regulations. A lawyer who specializes in environmental law can work for environment-related government agencies, environment nonprofit organizations or companies affected by environmental laws.

What is a judge advocate?

Judge advocate in the U.S. military. Law school grads who want to serve their country can become military attorneys. Each branch of the U.S. armed forces has legal professionals who work to resolve military justice issues. These officers are called judge advocates, or JAGs.

What degree do tax lawyers need?

Because tax codes are intricate and often difficult to understand, it is common for tax lawyers to pursue an LL.M. degree in tax law, which supplements the knowledge gained via a J.D. degree. Trial lawyer.

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