what good would a law degree be if you're not a lawyer

by Valentin Nienow 6 min read

Law degrees are seen in corporate and government as a good base for making good administrative people. So, a Law Degree doesn’t make a Lawyer But it sure provides graduates with the skills, knowledge and problem solving ability that makes an extremely desirable employee, especially in industries such as banking and finance.

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 skills they earned during their law school years.

Full Answer

Should I get a law degree or not?

A completed law degree would qualify someone as a lawyer. In the US, a lawyer must pass a bar exam to be allowed to practice law (in court) in his/her jurisdiction. Once the lawyer passes the bar exam, s/he becomes an attorney at law. As a lawyer you can work as a consultant, in-house legal counsel, and so much more.

What if I don't want to be a lawyer?

In the UK and in most countries, but not the USA, you can do an undergraduate (BA or LLB) degree in Law. Someone with such a qualification would be a strong candidate for positions in general management; for Human Resources and Compliance roles; for a trainee position in Accountancy or Taxation; and for most roles in the public service and government administration.

How useful is a law degree?

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What degree do I need to become a lawyer?

May 02, 2019 · The program is offered only in the daytime and on campus, which usually results in students working towards their degree full-time. The JD also requires three years and over $150,000 to complete, a commitment that is well worth it for students looking for a direct path toward practicing law. Practicing lawyers also make an average of $120,910 ...

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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 can you do with a law degree outside of law?

Law school graduates may work in bank trust departments, brokerage firms, insurance companies, development offices for preparatory schools, hospitals and universities. Often an undergraduate major in accounting or finance would be helpful as well as tax law classes, in addition to a legal education.

What should I do instead of being a lawyer?

Alternative jobs for lawyers
  • Paralegal.
  • Investigator.
  • Investment consultant.
  • Mediator.
  • Fund manager.
  • Financial analyst.
  • Realtor.
  • Labor relations specialist.
Feb 22, 2021

Is a law degree even worth it?

The highest 10% of lawyers earned median annual earnings of more than $208,000 in 2019. Some law school graduates forgo serving as a lawyer in order to have more work-life balance. There are many jobs you can do with a law degree and legal-related roles where having a J.D. may be an asset.

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

Do you have to pass the bar to be a lawyer?

Passing the All India Bar Examination is a necessary condition for the practice of law in India for advocates who have graduated from academic year 2009-10 onwards.

Can you practice law without a law degree?

Short answer: no! Many very successful lawyers did not study a first degree in law and, in fact, around half of newly qualified lawyers have a non-law degree. However, there are benefits and drawbacks to entering the legal profession with a non-law degree.

What careers are related to lawyers?

Is law school difficult?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

What is the average law school debt?

According to the American Bar Association: The average law school graduate owes approximately $165,000 in educational debt upon graduating. More than 95 percent of students take out loans to attend law school.Jan 28, 2022

How long pay off law school debt?

Average time to repay law school loans

For law school grads, the average time to repay student loans after graduation is: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): 10 years. Standard repayment plan: 10 years. Income-driven repayment (REPAYE): 17 years.
Apr 13, 2022

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.

Is a law degree required?

An understanding of the law is helpful in a variety of careers, from mediation to politics. A law degree may not be a requirement to break into these careers, but it can set you apart from other candidates when it comes to hiring decisions.

Why do people go to law school?

Many students go to law school because they aren’t sure what they want to do and they figure a law degree can’t hurt. This can land you with student debt and no job to pay it off. It’s a good idea to have some backup options as well, as the job market can fluctuate.

Consider: Your Career Goals

Perhaps most important to consider when choosing which type of legal degree to pursue is what you hope to do with your education. For those looking to actively practice law and represent clients, a JD is the most direct path, followed by an LLM. Both programs leave graduates accredited for the practice of law in America.

Consider: Your Prior Education and Experience

The JD, LLM, and MLS each require students to have reached a specific level of education prior to enrolling. For that reason, knowing what level of education each of these programs requires and where you fit in on that spectrum can be very beneficial in determining which is right for you.

Consider: Your Time & Resources

There are many career-focused reasons to pursue a graduate degree in today’s society, and in law, such a degree is often required in order to reach certain career goals.

What is law training?

Law trains students in research, analysis, criticism and communication. You have to engage in problem solving, memory recall and wider theoretical discussions - sometimes all at the same time. These skills are useful in all kinds of professions.

Should career decisions be rushed?

Career decisions are some of the hardest you'll ever make and should never be rushed. If you're having a bad time with your degree, you should look to speak to your university's support staff before making any big decisions.

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 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.

Australian Universities are forgetting the most important lesson

Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law, these are the subjects any graduate will remember as the foundation to their law degree. One thing is left out of the curriculum however, and that is the reassuring and inspiring fact that a law degree provides students with a broad range of skills that are sought after in a variety of professions.

But what if you really want to practice Law?

The reality is, it’s going to be really hard to get a job as a graduate lawyer if you are not one of the top students in your class.

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