what can you do with a law degree other than be a lawyer?

by Burnice Jenkins 8 min read

How can a law degree help me get a job?

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 does an a lawyer do?

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 do you learn in law school?

There is a lot that you can do with a law degree besides being a lawyer. Careers in consulting, marketing, or journalism are just a few professional tracks to consider. A non-legal career is a great option for J.D. graduates who want to leverage the …

Should I become a teacher or a lawyer?

Feb 22, 2021 · Use your analytical skills to consider jobs you hadn't previously considered. For example, if you just graduated from law school, you can find a company you want to work for, get hired to their legal department and eventually move to a non-legal role. Also, certain legal roles can help you move into communications or another industry or role.

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

You can work as a law teacher, work as an instructor in a legal trainee program, become a career advisor within a law school, work in an administrative office of a law school, write for magazines and journals focusing on legal matters, go into recruitment and work as a headhunter for finding candidates for jobs in the ...Aug 13, 2021

What jobs are similar to lawyers?

Paralegals and Legal AssistantsArbitrators, Mediators, and ConciliatorsJudges and Hearing OfficersPostsecondary TeachersLawyer/Similar professions

What type of law 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 best career in law?

These are some of the most highly compensated legal jobs.Trial Lawyers. Trial lawyers are among the highest paid legal professionals in the world. ... Intellectual Property Lawyers. ... Tax Attorneys. ... Real Estate Attorneys. ... Judges. ... Members of Congress. ... Law School Professor. ... Litigation Support Director.More items...•Dec 21, 2018

What Else Can You Do With A Law Degree Besides Be A Lawyer?

A lawyer works in various settings, applying both the skills they develop in law school, the skills they acquired in their pre-legal background, an...

What To Do When You Do Not Want To Be A Lawyer Anymore?

It can feel good to refer to yourself as a lawyer when describing your job. The legal profession is respected and prestigious, after all, and lawye...

Why Do Lawyers Quit?

Being a lawyer requires years of hard work and dedication. Being a doctor is much like being set on a path until you reach your goal. As a law stud...

How To Leave Law?

Would you consider a career path other than traditional legal practice? It is possible for people to go to law school to practice law, but later de...

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 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 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 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 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.

Why do people become attorneys?

People generally become attorneys because they are motivated, intelligent and have great work ethics.

What is the role of a law librarian?

Though law libraries are becoming less common in firms, the role of the law librarian is only intensifying .

Is there too much competition for attorneys?

There is so much competition, in fact, that for most attorneys, it often makes a lot of sense to choose an alternative legal or non-legal career.

What is legal editor?

A legal editor has the same basic duties as an editor, but focuses on editing and proofreading mostly for legal publications. If you have a fine sense of detail, and a canny sense of what writing is quality and worth pursuing, consider using your background in law to be a legal editor. 7. Legal Recruiter:

Do attorneys work for clients?

Most attorneys (and law firms) will work for any client with the money to pay. While some attorneys will certainly draw the line at defending rapists, child molesters, or murderers, they will happily defend corporations, white collar criminals and other evildoers all day.

What is a temporary judge?

The private judge, or temporary judge, is an attorney appointed to those involved, with Court consent. He or she has the same responsibility as a courthouse judge, and must know and follow the judicial code of ethics. Such a judge may offer binding input or simply advise, depending on how the appointment is drawn.

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 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 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.

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.

Why do companies rely on law firms?

Companies rely on law firms and in-house counsel to help them boost their competitiveness. Many legal technology positions require a J.D. holder who understands the current digital legal landscape, can provide legal services and has the ability to establish credibility during product pitches to potential customers.

What is a JD?

A Juris Doctor or J.D. is a foundational law degree for aspiring attorneys. In most U.S. states, without it, it is impossible to sit for the bar exam and become licensed to practice law. Whether you choose to put your education to use within a government agency or at a boutique law firm, a J.D.

How much do insurance adjusters make?

As of 2019, the median annual pay for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners and investigators is $66,790. The highest 10 percent of adjusters earn more than $100,400, according to the BLS.

Can I sit for the bar exam?

Once you have completed this step, you will be able to sit for the bar exam to become a traditional practicing lawyer. However, some students forgo taking the bar and are able to find jobs for lawyers and legal experts who don’t want to practice law.

What is a JD preferred job?

A J.D.-preferred job or J.D.-advantage job is a type of job for which a passing score on the bar exam isn’t required. So, employers will usually consider an individual who has a J.D. but hasn’t passed the bar exam.

How much does a law professor make?

Law professors are needed at colleges and professional schools. According to the BLS, professors who teach law classes and are also engaged in research, earned a median annual salary of $113,530 in 2019 .

Do I need a bachelors to become a patent examiner?

You don’t need to be a practicing lawyer to work within the U.S. patent or trademark office. A bachelor’s is the minimum educational requirement. This profession also calls for discipline, focus, and above all, reasoning. A patent examiner reviews legal documents, files paperwork, writes legal office actions and researches invention information. Pay for patent examiners varies widely.

What to do if you have been through law school?

Having been through law school and possibly some form of employment, you may have valuable contacts in your network. Use them to your advantage and ask if anyone knows of nonlegal opportunities that may interest you. Even if your connections are in the legal industry, they may introduce you to employers in other fields.

Can I get a job with a law degree?

Your law degree and the skills you obtained as a lawyer can help you get a job in a variety of industries. Even if you no longer want to practice law, there are several ways to put your experience to good use. Here are some tips to aid your job search:

What are the duties of a paralegal?

Primary duties: Paralegals use their knowledge of the law to perform various legal tasks for lawyers. Employed by lawyers, corporations or other entities, paralegals draft legal documents, do legal research and attend client interviews. They also conduct investigations, though they don't represent clients in court as a lawyer does.

What is the primary job of an investigator?

Primary duties: An investigator or det ective collects evidence and information regarding a crime. They have many responsibilities, including speaking to witnesses, searching databases and arresting criminals. They have strong attention to detail and use their analytical skills to help them solve a variety of cases.

What is investment consultant?

Primary duties: Investment consultants are investment professionals who help companies and individuals with their financial goals. Using their financial skills, they also develop investment strategies. Investment consultants work in a variety of workplaces such as banks, investment firms or simply on their own.

What are the primary duties of a mediator?

Primary duties: Mediators help two parties agree on a conflicting matter. They aim for civil communication and a timely and cost-effective agreement. Mediators also inform both parties of the mediation process, interview both parties, facilitate communication and answer questions.

What is the job of a fund manager?

Primary duties: Fund managers oversee the management of a company's funds. They also manage analysts, perform research and make various strategic financial decisions such as those regarding stocks, bonds and other fund securities.

What are the different types of law degrees?

Depending on your end goal, there are different types of law degrees you can consider, including: 1 Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies (BSLS) 2 Master degree options 3 Juris Doctor (J.D.) 4 Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)

What is a masters in legal studies?

Master of Legal Studies (MLS) An MLS is designed for people who want to work in the legal field in a larger capacity than a bachelor's degree can provide, yet do not want to be a practicing attorney. This degree will provide you with legal knowledge so you can work in compliance, federal regulations or as a consultant.

How much does a probation officer make?

1. Probation officer. National average salary: $48,679 per year . Primary duties: A probation officer works closely with individuals on probation to monitor their progress, make sure they don't commit new crimes and connect them with helpful resources and rehabilitation programs. 2.

Can I practice law without a degree?

While you won't be able to practice law without additional education , a BSLS can still help you get hired for a job in the legal field. This career can be your end goal or you may want to work in the field using your degree while you decide on the next program to apply to.

What is a JD?

Juris Doctor (J.D.) A Juris Doctor degree is a professional graduate-level law degree and one of the most popular options for those who want to practice law. Those who want to pursue a higher-level degree will typically earn a Juris Doctor first.

How much does a law enforcement officer make?

Law enforcement officer. National average salary: $51,876 per year. Primary duties: A law enforcement officer keeps a community and its citizens safe from crime. They may do this by patrolling certain public areas, issuing tickets and warnings to those who are breaking the law and responding to emergency calls.

Do I need a law degree to practice law?

Once you have graduated from law school, you'll have a law degree, but you must pass the bar exam in your jurisdiction to practice law and provide legal representation. The bar exam differs by jurisdiction, and the difficulty level can depend on how complicated the laws of the jurisdiction are. The purpose of the bar exam is to assess if an individual is knowledgeable about laws and therefore able to practice in the field.

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Want to Leave The Law? 17 Alternative Careers For Lawyers

  • Alternative career paths for lawyers can be anything from becoming a law professor to starting your own business. Here are ten alternative careers for lawyers that you may want to consider:
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What If You Want to Stay in The Law But Not in Active Law Practice?

  • There are many other career paths available to you if you want to stay in the law but not practice as a lawyer. Here are some options to consider:
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Emerging Fields of Law and Legal Practice

  • There are many new and emerging fields of law that you may want to consider. Here are some options to consider:
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Risks and Challenges That Come with Change in Career

  • While these alternative careers for lawyers may be a great fit for some, they may not be the right choice for everyone. There are many risks and challenges that come with change in career. Here are a few things to consider before making a switch:
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The Best Questions to Ask When Facing Fear and Changing Careers

  • If you are considering making a career change, it is normal to feel scared and uncertain. Here are a few questions that can help you make the decision:
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Conclusion

  • Making a career change is a big decision. There are many risks and challenges involved. However, if you are unhappy with your current career, these alternative careers for lawyers may be the perfect fit for you. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring your options today.
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