what can i do with a law degree other than be a lawyer

by Lisa O'Hara DVM 4 min read

Here are some J.D. preferred careers to consider:
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) ...
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ...
  • Human Resource Managers. ...
  • Insurance Adjuster. ...
  • Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (Mediator) ...
  • Tax Attorney. ...
  • Business Development Professionals. ...
  • Compliance Careers.

What can you do with a law degree in law?

A law degree, or Juris Doctor (JD), is extremely versatile. For those who choose to get a law degree but do not want to take the bar exam and become a lawyer, there are endless career paths available. If you want to work in the legal field you could become a law professor, a legal writer, or a mediator. Surprisingly, magistrate judges in most jurisdictions do not need to be lawyers; a …

What do I need to do to become a lawyer?

Mar 23, 2018 · Many law graduates go on to pursue a career in politics, either as an elected official or as a member of their support team. This can involve policy development, speech writing, PR and a range of other activities.

What can you do with a law degree without an attorney?

Jun 03, 2021 · What else can I do with my law degree? Before we dive into the specifics, I want to make one thing super clear: if you’re a lawyer, basically ANY career is a possible alternative career for you.So if you’re wondering what else you can do with your law degree other than be a lawyer, I want you to know up front that there are lots of options for you.

What can you do with a Juris Doctor degree?

Nov 17, 2013 · Casey Berman, founder of Leave Law Behind, discusses the truth behind the phrase “You can do anything with a law degree” and lists nine real-life, …

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What other professions can a lawyer do?

Provided below is the list of alternative career options for lawyers or law graduates:Journalism. ... Teaching in Law colleges is a respectable job that also pays well. ... Writing and Blogging. ... Legal Relation & Policy Analyst. ... Entrepreneur. ... Government Service. ... Legal Outsourcing. ... Indian Army.More items...

Is law school worth it if you don't want to be a lawyer?

It's true: you can go to law school even if you don't want to be a lawyer. A JD can turbocharge your career prospects and teach you incredibly versatile and in-demand skills.

How do I transition out of being a lawyer?

Tips for Successful Transition from Traditional Legal Practice to an Alternative CareerKnow What You Do Not Like To Do. ... Have A Life Outside Of Being An Attorney. ... Consider Keeping Your Foot In The Door Of Traditional Practice. ... Focus On Your Finances. ... Have Thick Skin.

Is being a lawyer worth it anymore?

According to a Gallup poll of over 4,000 adults who obtained a law degree between 2000 and 2015, only 23% said obtaining a law degree was worth the cost. 1 With the average law school debt coming in around $145,500, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Is it worth studying law at university?

A law degree is a great qualification to obtain employment – law graduates have the 6th highest employment rate - and bear in mind up to 60% of all law graduates chose to use their law degree to gain jobs other than in the legal profession.

What is an alternative lawyer?

Abstract: Alternative or developmental lawyering is the practice of law fundamentally for individuals, communities and sectors that have been historically, culturally and economically marginalized and disenfranchised.

Why do lawyers quit?

Even worse than the long hours, in many cases, is the lack of control over your work and your schedule as an attorney. When you're subject to the whims of the court, the partners or other senior lawyers you work for, and client demands, the lack of control can become highly frustrating. This is why many lawyers leave.Oct 8, 2019

What lawyer job pays the most?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

What is the importance of law school?

Law school is all about building character and gaining a trove of life skills. Life skills that come in handy for law school graduates seeking alternative careers to a becoming a lawyer. The percentage of law students who end up working as lawyers has fluctuated significantly in the past decade. Around forty percent of law graduates do not practice ...

What is a legal marketer?

Responsible for client relations, reputation management, and much more, a legal marketer is the marketing expert in a firm with extensive knowledge about the services they are promoting. Having a JD is not essential, but it helps.

What is the job of an arbitrator?

If your favorite aspect of learning law was mediating conflict between two parties, this is the path for you. Acting as an informal judge, an arbitrator helps move a case along before it goes to trial. A Juris Doctor degree is not required, but this job is often held by someone with a law degree.

What is a jury consultant?

Jury Consultant. Lawyers rely on consultants to select a jury for high-stakes cases and to help them evaluate human behavior and predict juror behavior. Jury consultants often have a background in sociology or the like. This job does not require a law degree, but it is helpful.

What is compliance specialist?

Charged with ensuring that a company is following all policies and standards, a compliance specialist understands the legal ins and outs of a variety of different departments within a business. A graduate who has earned a bachelor degree in legal studies or a Juris Doctor, and has an eye for detail are both in the right place.

What can I do with a law degree?

Many law graduates go on to pursue a career in politics, either as an elected official or as a member of their support team. This can involve policy development, speech writing, PR and a range of other activities.

What do recruiters look for in a law degree?

Recruiters look for an attention to detail, the ability to work under pressure and an ability to think critically. These are all qualities that are developed during a law degree.

What is a compliance officer?

A compliance officer is responsible for a company’s financial conduct and ultimately ensuring that it complies with the relevant regulations and its reporting obligations. Compliance work is available at a range of different finance organisations and a legal background is definitely a plus!

What is a loss adjuster?

A loss adjuster is a key example of an insurance role available to law graduates. Loss adjusters are used by insurance companies to verify insurance claims. This involves visiting crime scenes and sites where accidents have taken place, investigating claims, gathering information, evaluating damage and conducting interviews with policyholders.

What is the job of a chartered accountant?

Chartered Accountant. As a chartered accountant, you’ll provide advice, audit records and provide information about financial records. This role therefore requires a grasp of legal concepts as well as maths and so a law degree can prove handy.

What is a licensed conveyancer?

A licensed conveyancer is a property law specialist who works on behalf of clients buying or seller property. They are ultimately responsible for the legal matters, administration, finance and queries involved in a property transaction.

What is human resources officer?

As a human resources officer, you develop, advise on and implement policies relating to the effective use of staff in an organisation. This can include employee recruitment, training and development, the provision of compensation and benefits, the implementation of disciplinary procedures and conflict resolution.

Is being a lawyer stressful?

It’s no secret that being a lawyer is one of the most stressful jobs that you can have. There are task forces, books, and a multitude of articles written about lawyer stress and burnout.

Is the legal profession stressful?

It’s no secret that law is a stressful profession. Many lawyers struggle with anxiety, and the legal profession’s mental health stats are grim. Especially if you have a clinical mental health issue (and many lawyers do, and don’t even realize it ), the legal profession is practically designed to exacerbate anxiety.

Why do lawyers rely on jury consultants?

Lawyers rely on jury consultants to gain a winning edge in high-stakes jury trials. These consultants provide insight into juror behavior, and they help attorneys craft arguments and trial themes designed to persuade jurors.

How much does a paralegal charge?

Paralegal services are typically billed at 25% to 50% of an attorney's hourly rate. Many paralegals perform the same services an attorney does, but paralegals are prohibited from giving legal advice or negotiating fees for services when they don't have law degrees.

What is trial consultant?

Trial consultants give attorneys an advantage in the courtroom, drawing on the fields of psychology, sociology, and the law. They employ legal technology to help a jury understand complex concepts, and they can help attorneys communicate important themes.

What is LSP in law?

The increased automation of legal processes has also spawned another occupation in the field of law: the litigation support professional (LSP). This cutting-edge profession combines the legal knowledge of paralegals with the technical skills of information technology professionals.

What is court reporter?

Court reporter s record trial and hearing testimony, speeches, statements, and law proceedings, creating a verbatim written transcript of the spoken word. Also known as stenographers, they use special stenographic equipment to transcribe at rates exceeding 200 words a minute.

Why do people use mediators?

More individuals and corporations are turning to mediators, also known as arbitrators or conciliators, to settle their legal disputes outside the courtroom. Mediators are growing in number and popularity as litigation costs skyrocket and the field of alternative dispute resolution expands.

What is regulatory compliance?

Regulatory compliance became a popular law career option after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act prompted the enactment of a host of regulations in 2002. Compliance specialists work for corporations and consulting firms, coordinating and monitoring the myriad of governmental and regulatory documents that are required by changes in federal law.

What is a recruiter?

Recruiters establish a company’s recruiting requirements, create and maintain applicant source channels, “herd the cats”, manage all logistics of the hiring process and understand all legal and compliance requirements.

What is the role of CFO?

The CFO’s team provides financial projections and accounting services to enable the company to make informed and strategic decisions moving forward. And in smaller companies, the CFO oversees many administrative functions, like Legal, HR and Administration.

What is corporate trainer?

Corporate trainers are really just teachers and must be able to speak in front of a crowd, produce and understand training materials, work closely with individuals and evaluate how well employees have learned.

What is a barrister?

Barrister. Barristers represent clients in court and through legal proceedings. They present their client’s case before a judge or jury. They are independent and unbiased sources of legal advice. Read more on becoming a barrister on the Bar Standards Board website.

What is a paralegal?

Paralegals support solicitors, barristers and legal executives. They need knowledge in law but are not qualified solicitors. They are usually employed in law firms to work in a specialised department.

What is a legal executive?

Chartered legal executives are qualified lawyers who specialise in one area of law, such as litigation or conveyancing. Legal executives can go on to become solicitors, law firm partners or managers, or hold judicial posts. With a law degree, you can complete the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives graduate fast-track diploma.

What is a judicial assistant?

Judicial assistant. Judicial assistants support members of the court, usually by doing legal research. The role can vary depending on which jurisdiction they work in. Areas of work can include family, employment and commercial law for example.

What are the two types of legal writers?

First, there are two types of legal writers: the news writer and the brief writer . The former will report or analyse on any current event issues that deal with the law, from a murder trial to a political scandal to legal troubles for a multinational corporation.

What do paralegals need to know?

Since paralegals take on much of the legwork, they require substantive knowledge of the law and legal procedures, which is attained through education and training. Put simply, you still have a career in law, but you don’t have the pressures that a typical lawyer faces. 3. Legal Secretary.

What is a paralegal?

Being a paralegal is a rewarding and critical position in any law office, corporation or governmental agency. This position performs legal work that the lawyer is responsible for to prepare him or her for their case. Since paralegals take on much of the legwork, they require substantive knowledge of the law and legal procedures, which is attained through education and training.

What is a fixed term lecturer?

In the UK, a fixed-term lecturer is someone who teaches academic and vocational subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students, teaching the theories, requirements and criteria of the curriculum. The equivalent in the US is that of a professor or assistant professor without tenure – many universities will also refer to graduate students in law departments as sessional lecturers.

What is a law library?

A law library is a treasure trove of books, documents and other facets of legal history to better inform you of the law. With this house of law, you can properly research past cases, precedents established by judges and important historical accounts of the justice system and its evolution.

Why is it important to have a management consultant?

It is an important service for any private firm that has fallen on hard times from inefficient and inept management, whether because of changing economic landscapes or a team unable to balance the books.

What does a legal editor do?

Second, legal editors can complete a variety of tasks, such as copyediting, content editing, proofreading and fact-checking. These duties can be performed for news writing and brief writing. 9.

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