what other careers than being a lawyer

by Kyle Zboncak 7 min read

A non-exhaustive list of alternative careers for lawyers with real-life examples:

  • human resources professional;
  • life coach for high-achieving moms;
  • law school career counselor;
  • genetic genealogist;
  • lawyer career coach (also here );
  • leadership coach and facilitator;
  • policy associate/regulatory advocate (also here );
  • working artist (also here );
  • clinical psychologist;
  • DEI consultant;
  • firefighter;
  • wedding planner;
  • podcaster;
  • nature photographer;
  • tech sales;
  • legal publishing;
  • travel writer;
  • digital marketer;
  • doctor;
  • sommelier;
  • portrait painter;
  • interior design;
  • SEO expert;
  • home organizer;
  • recruiter;
  • podcast producer;
  • stationery designer;
  • copywriting;

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

Full Answer

What are some related occupations to a lawyer?

Jun 03, 2021 ¡ A non-exhaustive list of alternative careers for lawyers with real-life examples: human resources professional; life coach for high-achieving moms; law school career counselor; genetic genealogist; lawyer career coach (also here ); leadership coach and facilitator; policy associate/regulatory ...

What are some alternative careers for lawyers?

24 alternative careers for lawyers START-UP FOUNDER. We've written extensively about the ups and downs of starting your own business. It's certainly not... I N-HOUSE AT A START-UP. If you can't quite stomach the thought of starting your own business from scratch, why not reap... BUY A CONVENTIONAL ...

What are careers related to law?

Nov 15, 2021 ¡ And once you do begin to leave the law, and begin to research "alternative" careers in-depth, you'll find that many of these "non-law" jobs your skillset is a fit for all pay well into six figures. Jobs like Account Management and Project Management and Business Development and VP Operations and Head of Logistics.

What can you do with a law degree?

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 ...

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What job is better than a lawyer?

While Lawyer was named the 71st best job in 2016, the list was dominated by medical and technology jobs. According to U.S. News, the field of medicine is the most appealing because of the high pay, low unemployment rates, awesome work-life balance, and general job satisfaction.Nov 4, 2016

What are three similar occupations to a lawyer?

Similar OccupationsOccupationJob Duties2020 MEDIAN PAYJudges and Hearing OfficersJudges and hearing officers apply the law by overseeing the legal process in courts.$124,200Paralegals and Legal AssistantsParalegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.$52,9202 more rows•Sep 8, 2021

How do you transition away from law?

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.

What can you do instead of law school?

Keep in mind your career goals, and that this list is not exhaustive, as you read on.Arbitrator. ... Paralegal/Legal Assistant. ... E-Discovery. ... Law Professor. ... Compliance Specialist. ... Human Resources. ... Legal Marketer. ... Jury Consultant.More items...•Jun 27, 2018

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

What should I study to become a lawyer?

Eligibility to Become a Lawyer They must sit for various national level or University level entrance exams such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT etc. They must complete their 5 years Undergraduate course such as BA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB. Students who have LLM degree can also become a lawyer.

Are lawyers happy with their jobs?

Lawyers are one of the least happy careers in the United States. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, lawyers rate their career happiness 2.6 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 7% of careers.

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.

What can I do to get started as a lawyer?

Steps to becoming a lawyerStep 1: Study the right subjects. High School Pathways. ... Step 2: Enrol in Law School. ... Step 3: Get ahead in law school. ... Step 4: Get Certified to practice law. ... Step 5: Secure a job as a lawyer.Jul 13, 2021

What course is similar to Law?

Other Political Science courses related to Law include: Political Science and Diplomacy. Political Science and Public Administration. Political Science and International Studies. Political Science and Conflict Resolution.

Is Law a flexible degree?

This bespoke LLM enables you to study while you work. Over a two- to four-year period, you can choose from the full range of the School of Law's postgraduate modules, which can be studied in London, at a combination of our international campuses, and with online learning modules.

What to know if you are in Biglaw?

Things you need to know if you’re exploring alternative careers for lawyers: If you’re in Biglaw, you’re not a failure because you’re human (even though Biglaw makes you feel that way ). If you’re trying to figure out what else you can do with your J.D., don’t rely on prestige ( it’s a liar ).

Is a lawyer good at separating their identity from their job?

Lawyers are not good at separating their identity from their job. I don’t know about you, but when I was working as a litigator, I felt like I had no time to be anything but a lawyer. There just wasn’t much time for anything else. That’s a pretty suffocating feeling when your job makes you miserable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 career change?

Career change is part and parcel for professionals at all levels, particularly as our economy continues to move in the direction of more flexible, casualised and part-time work. The career trajectories of full-time professionals are also at the mercy of the economy and technological change, which are causing huge flux. As a result, the best of any profession will always need guidance on their options and how to move up their current hierarchy or step sideways to a new one. Career management requires you to build deep industry knowledge and networks.

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). ‍.

What skills do you need to be a good account manager?

Like account management, it requires strong organisational skills, high-level problem-solving ability, emotional intelligence and basic people management skills. You also need to have a keen intellect to be able to spot gaps, as well as to plan and execute.

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.

How has the internet broadened the possible space of careers?

The internet has massively broadened the possible space of careers by allowing you to scale almost any niche obsession or interest. The fundamental property of the internet is that it connects every human on the planet to every other. Check out his full piece here to try the Paint Drop Method for yourself.

What is the War of Art?

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield. I’ve found creativity and fear are two sides of a very similar, shiny coin. This book helps you get more comfortable with that gnawing fear of impending change, because (as Pressfield argues) that fear is actually a very good sign — it tells us what comes next. The more scared we are of what we are excited about work-wise, the more we need to give it a shot. Instead of being held back by that deep, powerful resistance, Pressfield tells us to face it head on.

Is there a dream job in 2021?

But in 2021, there is a lot of room for creative legal work, or non-legal work, that isn’t a “total dream” in terms of day-to-day but does give some financial comfort and a much less restrictive schedule. Cal Newport summarizes this conundrum of ‘dream jobs’ well in his The Passion Trap essay.

How to be an attorney?

Think about all that you regularly do in your role as an attorney: 1 You speak and communicate clearly 2 You listen well 3 You show empathy 4 You are the "adult-in-the-room" 5 You write persuasively 6 You "connect the dots" for people and clients to see a desired future state 7 You strategize 8 You manage large projects (and lots of them) 9 You meet deadlines 10 You meet budgets 11 You present to high-level stakeholders 12 You upsell clients 13 You put out fires 14 You are the psychologist for your clients 15 You drive new business 16 As well as many others not listed!

What do you gain from leaving law behind?

And many Leave Law Behind course members gain not only a well-paid salary but also bonuses, stock options, and many perks and benefits. There is a great, wealthy life waiting for you once you commit to leaving the law. Don't let this idea that you cannot make money block your path to your ideal self.

What does it mean when you don't have free time?

You don't have any free time; You have no quality time with family, spouse or your kids; You don't have the time to go to the gym, exercise, or take care of yourself; You feel that there is no creativity in the law; You hate the whole idea of billable hours;

Can you learn what you don't know?

Second, You can learn what you don't know very quickly. Sure, if you were to leave the law for a new "alternative" career, you would not be 100% proficient in all the required skills for that job from the beginning. And that's perfectly fine, because as an attorney, you can ramp up on learning very quickly.

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 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 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 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 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 are the jobs that require the same skills as the practice of law?

These types of jobs all require many or all the same skills as the practice of law, such as analytical thinking, investigative, writing, advocating and speaking skills .

What type of law do lawyers practice?

Types of Law Practice. Lawyers can practice either civil law or criminal law. Criminal law is any law that relates to indicting, charging, prosecuting or defending an individual accused of committing a crime, as well as dealing with sentencing, appeals, and other post-conviction or post-acquittal actions.

What do accountants do?

Accountants perform a variety of work duties, much as lawyers do, that requires strong attention to detail and a facility with numbers and figures, as well as an understanding of many areas that overlap with the legal field, such as tax law, real estate law, business law and other areas that relate to finance.

What are the jobs that can be held by non-attorneys?

Attorneys may also take these jobs as a learning experience or to gain professional experience and insight. Paralegals and judicial law clerks comprise the most common of these types of jobs.

What jobs do non practicing lawyers do?

Non-practicing lawyers may do well as project managers, grant writers, lobbyists and politicians. Of course, there are many jobs that require skill sets similar to attorneys but do not require a legal education or degree.

What is a judicial clerk?

Judicial law clerks often assist the judge in reviewing the evidence and the law and writing judicial opinions. Judicial law clerks usually are already attorneys or are recent law school graduates who are awaiting their bar exam results.

What skills do lobbyists need?

Lobbying requires many of the same skills as practicing law, including persuasion, research and writing, and advocating and understanding the law and how it works. May lobbyists are lawyers, but a law degree is not required. Every state has its own laws as to how lobbyists are allowed to work.

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