what can you do with law degree besides be a lawyer

by Marjorie DuBuque 8 min read

  • Professor or Instructor. Some legal students prepare during law school for teaching careers, while others gain work experience and return to academia later in their careers to teach.
  • Journalist or Consultant. Your writing, analysis, and research skills prepare you for a career in writing or consulting. ...
  • Conflict Resolution. Use your legal knowledge and your communication and negotiation skills, honed in law school and legal practice, for a career in advocacy or conflict resolution.
  • Policy and Politics. Your legal knowledge makes you a valuable asset for a think tank or policy watch organization. ...

Full Answer

What colleges offer a law degree?

Jan 23, 2022 · What can you do with a Law Degree Besides be a Lawyer; J.D Preferred Career Options. Certified public accountant; Chief financial officer CFO; Human resource managers; Insurance adjuster; Mediator, negotiation, and conflict resolution; Tax attorney; Business development professionals; Compliance careers; Law professor; Legal writer; Patent examiner; …

What jobs require a law degree?

Aug 17, 2021 · Beyond the JD, law schools offer other graduate degree programs that prepare individuals for a variety of roles that intersect with lawyers and the practice of law. “Many kinds of deal making, policy work, even litigation support that doesn’t involve speaking in court, almost all of it can be done without a JD degree,” Jarvis said. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law offers …

Can you still get into law without a law degree?

Mar 23, 2018 · Taxation is another field for which law graduates are well suited. For example, tax consultants offer advice to businesses or private clients on their tax liabilities and cost-effective tax solutions. Each year’s budget introduces new tax legislation, so a background in analysing legal changes is extremely useful.

How hard is it to get a law degree?

Feb 22, 2021 · 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. Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) An S.J.D. degree is one of the most advanced degrees you can get in the legal field.

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What can I do besides being a lawyer?

J.D. Preferred Career Options
  • 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.

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.

What are 2 similar occupations to a lawyer?

Similar Occupations
OccupationJob Duties2021 MEDIAN PAY
Judges and Hearing OfficersJudges and hearing officers apply the law by overseeing the legal process in courts.$128,710
Paralegals and Legal AssistantsParalegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.$56,230
2 more rows

Why do I regret law school?

For one, half of law students regret their decision to pursue law school based on the high cost of tuition and living expenses. When asked whether the weakened job market leads them to believe their education is overpriced, an overwhelming 74% agreed that the price of a law degree is too expensive.Jul 13, 2020

How beneficial is a law degree?

Law school can help develop critical thinking and logical reasoning skills. it can also help develop analytical thinking, which can be applied to many industries. Law school also strengthens your reading, writing, project-management and problem-solving skills.Mar 22, 2021

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.
Jul 9, 2021

Can a lawyer work from home?

For the most part, yes—it's entirely possible to work from anywhere as a lawyer. Many lawyers and law firms around the world are already operating on a fully or partially remote basis. Depending on your practice area, you may still need to go to court or meet clients in person, which does impact your remote work plans.

Is law a good career for the future?

Law as a profession is in great demand these days. Due to the changing social and economic circumstances and the ever-increasing regulatory role being undertaken by the government there is a rising demand for the lawyers. Besides being financially lucrative, Law is an adventurous and exciting career option.

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 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 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 tax consultant?

Tax Consultant. Taxation is another field for which law graduates are well suited. For example, tax consultants offer advice to businesses or private clients on their tax liabilities and cost-effective tax solutions. Each year’s budget introduces new tax legislation, so a background in analysing legal changes is extremely useful.

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 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.

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.

What is MLS in law?

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. This same degree may also be referred to as a Master of Science in Law (MSL).

What is MLS degree?

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. This same degree may also be referred to as a Master ...

What is a Juris Doctor?

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 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.

What is the job of a probation officer?

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.

What does a tax attorney do?

They represent individuals and use trusts, gifts, and various tax planning structures to reduce the burdens of income taxes and estate taxes. They can also represent clients if problems arise with business ownership and lawsuits involving the IRS.

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 CPA?

Certified personal accountants (CPAs) are responsible for preparing and examining financial records. A CPA makes sure that all personal and business financial records are accurate, and taxes are paid correctly and on time. A CPA must also understand and assess financial operations to make strategic recommendations to clients. This helps businesses and individuals identify ways to increase revenue, reduce costs, or improve profit margins.

What is an insurance adjuster?

Claims departments of insurance companies are just one of the many professional settings where you might find an insurance adjuster. The person in that role investigates insurance claims and determines if the insurance company should pay a claim and for how much. To do this, they may conduct interviews with witnesses, consult hospital records or police or inspect property damage to determine liability.

What is the ultimate goal of a financial advisor?

They do this by directing people to set goals and develop a financial plan to manage retirement funds, school savings, estate planning, or even large purchase buying. Financial advisors can work within large firms or be sole proprietors.

What is legal writing?

Legal Writer. Legal writing is a form of technical writing that is utilized by many of the professionals within the law landscape. An effective legal writer is apt at communicating facts, conclusions, intentions, and can correlate cases or documents in an easy to understand way.

How much does a legal writer make?

On average, technical writers make around $72,850 a year, according to 2019 BLS data.

Can a paralegal give legal advice?

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.

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.

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.

Is the legal market thriving?

The legal market is thriving. Added regulations, economic growth, advances in technology, and increasing caseloads have all fueled the demand for a growing range of talented law professionals in a number of roles, from e-discovery specialists to compliance specialists.

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.

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.

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 are the advantages of being a lawyer?

Advantages include being your own boss and a schedule that's entirely dictated by you. Must possess a resilient, can-do attitude and long-term vision.

What skills do lawyers need to succeed?

A lawyer's ability to deliver an impassioned argument will help in debates and speeches on the campaign trail, while an understanding of the law and the way government is structured, as well as skills like negotiation and analytic ability, will help lawyers succeed once elected.

What is an arbitrator?

Arbitrators act as a third party to help two parties settle disputes out of court. Every state has different rules for becoming an arbitrator, but as a lawyer-adjacent career, you should be able to become an arbitrator with relative ease.

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