what to do with my law degree now that i don't want to be a lawyer

For those who still want to be in the legal field but just not as an attorney, other options exist for those with a law degree. These positions include arbitrator, law professor, law school career counselor, and legal recruiter. While some people go into law for the money, a big paycheck isn’t guaranteed due to the current competitive climate.

Full Answer

What if I don’t want to become a lawyer?

Nov 16, 2016 · For those who still want to be in the legal field but just not as an attorney, other options exist for those with a law degree. These positions …

What can you do with a law degree instead of being an attorney?

Feb 22, 2021 · Pass the bar exam. 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.

What are the best careers for law graduates with no experience?

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 …

Is it hard to get a job with a law degree?

3. Law Librarian: If you are fascinated with the literary aspect of the law, the organization of the legal code and various cases, you might consider being a law librarian as an alternative legal career. Though law libraries are becoming less common in firms, the role of the law librarian is only intensifying.

Is a law degree 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 should I do instead of being a lawyer?

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

How do you transition out of 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.

Do Lawyers regret law school?

The replies to this question varied, but the vast majority of people responding felt that they were better off having attended law school, with only about 10 of the approximately 150 lawyers responding indicating that they regretted obtaining a law degree.Jul 12, 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 careers are related to a lawyer?

Possible job titles related to lawAdministrative lawyer.Advocate.Arbitrator.Attorney.Case manager.Commercial rights manager.Compliance officer.Compliance specialist.More items...

What can you do with a JD?

Nine Jobs You Can Do With A Law DegreeProfessional counseling. Bulwa says a new staff member at the school has a law degree and a counseling degree. ... Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. ... Development Agencies. ... Government and politics. ... Banking and finance. ... Entrepreneur. ... Academia. ... Journalism or Writing.More items...•Nov 22, 2012

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.

How do I find an alternative career?

Here are 11 tips to consider when searching for career alternatives or options:Stay where you are. ... Add new skills. ... Work to gain transferable skills. ... Volunteer. ... Work in a part-time job. ... Try freelance work. ... Network at industry events outside your own. ... Find a mentor.More items...

Is law a regretted major?

If you could go back in time and stop yourself from going to law school, would you? If you answered "Hell yes," you're not alone. A recent survey shows that most law grads regret going to law school.Mar 29, 2016

Should I drop out of law school?

If you have completely changed your mind on anything to do with law and can't see yourself finishing law school easily, then dropping out may be the best option for you. However, if it is just the “future lawyer” part of being in law school that you don't enjoy, there may still be a reason for you to stay in school.

What is Texas law known for?

Rankings. Texas Law is consistently ranked as the top law school in the state and one of the best schools in the nation. The USNWR, the most widely used and influential ranking of American law schools, consistently ranks Texas Law as the 15th best law school in the nation.

Come to Terms With Your Decision

My earliest indication that I might be in the wrong field was when I seriously considered keeping my minimum wage retail job after law school gradu...

Merge What You Have With What You Want

As Jess Salomon, the lawyer-cum-comedian puts it, “The law can be a valuable tool, but no matter what you’re doing with it on a daily basis, it can...

Use Your Analytical Skills to Figure Out How to Get There

Law school trained you to get to a firm conclusion in a reasoned way—and that’s precisely the skill you should apply when you’re looking at jobs th...

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.

Why don't I want to be a lawyer?

One benefit of realising early on that you don't want to be a lawyer is that you won't have to spend hours applying for training contracts, going to law careers fairs, doing vacation schemes and all the other things that aspiring solicitors and barristers have to do. This gives you time to figure out what career you really want ...

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.

Is a law degree good?

Even if you don't think a legal career is your cup of tea, a law degree is still an amazing qualification to have. In a competitive jobs market where only three quarters of graduates have a job six months after graduating, a strong degree could be what gives you the edge.

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.

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.

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.

Why do people go to law school?

Many people pursue law school because of a desire to make a difference. Maybe you’re drawn to the idea of helping people with individual legal problems, or perhaps you want to fight for big policy changes. But once you graduate, you may decide that pursuing a traditional legal path isn’t for you.

What does law school teach you?

Law school teaches you a lot about how our government functions, making it excellent training for a career teaching at a variety of levels. Of course you can always teach law school, or even undergrad, but you may also want to consider teaching at the high-school level. Many high schools have government, criminal justice, ...

Who is Samantha Fredrickson?

About the Author | Samantha Fredrickson has worked in communications and nonprofit advocacy for more than a decade. She has spent much of her career advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations. She has degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno and New York Law School.

What skills do you learn in law school?

But the skills you learned in law school will likely help you as a therapist. In law school you were taught to be analytical and to listen to your clients , and if you’re motivated by wanting to help people, then providing therapy to them is another great option.

What do foreign service officers do?

As a Foreign Service Officer, you’ll likely utilize some of the same skills as a lawyer. You’ll research and write reports and negotiate with government officials. Think about the skills that you learned and what you enjoyed most about law school when you’re determining where to take your career next.

Financial Services

Outside of government and typical law firms or corporate placements, graduates with law degrees can often find employment in the financial sector. Law grads make attractive candidates for positions related to taxation, whether in chartered accountancy firms or dedicated tax consultant firms.

Public Interest

Combining a “traditional” career as a barrister with one in a charitable foundation, non-profit legal aid societies can offer fulfilling work in representing the interests of the economically disadvantaged, similar to the pro bono work occasionally undertaken by for-profit firms.

Writing

If you have already begun a law degree, you have likely tapped into a range of online and print resources written by qualified lawyers.

Anything Else

As mentioned at the beginning of this guide, legal qualifications open doors. The simple fact that you earned a law degree means that you are able to work diligently and apply a keen eye for detail to your job, and prospective employers will take note of this.

2. Careers Using Your Legal Knowledge

A sound knowledge of law is a real bonus in a variety of jobs. For example, police officers have to understand the law in order to be able to enforce it appropriately.

3. Careers Involving Your LEgal SKills

The skills you have developed during your law degree are likely to be just as valuable as its content. For example, being able to research in a detailed and thorough manner is valuable a range of different settings, from working in local government to becoming a librarian.

4. Further Study

If you’ve enjoyed your time at law school, rather than moving into the job market straightaway, you may also want to consider going on to a postgraduate qualification such as an LLM (Masters degree in law). This could eventually lead to you working in academia and teaching on the law degree yourself.

5. Changing the World!

Lots of students study law because they are passionate about social justice and upholding basic rights and liberties. If this sounds like you, it is worth exploring roles in charities and non-profit making organisations (sometimes known as the third or voluntary sector).

What is the purpose of law school?

The ostensible purpose of law school is to train future lawyers, just like medical schools produce future doctors for lawyers to sue. But no one ever says, “You can do anything with a medical degree.”.

Can I do anything with a law degree?

Everyone who has ever considered law school has heard some variant of “you can do anything with a law degree.”. Of course, this statement isn’t technically true. You can’t practice medicine with it, for example, unless you also have a medical degree (which, to the delight of Sallie Mae, some J.D.s also have).