A law degree is an academic degree that is awarded after a student completes a program of study in law. It allows a person to work as an attorney or lawyer after passing the bar exam. Some common law degrees are the Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Laws.
“What Can You Do With A Law Degree?” This is an important question for many law students to consider as they embark on their legal education. While practicing as an attorney is a classic choice, there are actually many other career paths open to those with a law degree.
Those with a law degree have several options available to them. Some may choose to work as a paralegal or legal assistant. Others may pursue careers in legal research, compliance, judicial law clerk roles, teaching, or even work for a local or state government. The analytical skills gained from law school also open doors in fields like business, politics, or non-profit work.
A Career As A Lawyer
Many people choose to become a lawyer to start an exciting career in law. They get to work on challenging cases and help solve legal issues faced by clients.
There are many different types of lawyers and they work in various areas like criminal, family, corporate and many more. They work in law firms, courts, corporate law departments and government organizations.
Want To Become A Lawyer?
Pursuing a career as a lawyer is a big decision and not everyone is cut out for it. You need to be passionate about law and defending your client’s rights.
It is also a demanding career that requires long hours of studying law books and cases. You should be prepared to work hard but also find the work very fulfilling.
What Does A Lawyer Do?
Lawyers help resolve legal disputes in a court of law or help clients with transactions. Their daily work involves researching laws, drafting legal documents and representing clients.
They meet with clients to understand legal issues, gather evidence and documentation. In court, they argue the client’s case before a judge and make presentations to put forward their legal position.
How Do You Become A Lawyer?
The path to becoming a lawyer involves obtaining an undergraduate degree, You Do With A Law Degree followed by a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
After law school, aspiring lawyers must pass the bar exam in their state to be licensed to practice law. Some states also require completing a period of supervised work or internship.
What Skills Do Lawyers Need?
Successful lawyers need strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to interpret laws and review complex cases.
They must communicate effectively through speaking as well as writing. Negotiation and advocacy are also important skills to resolve disputes and present arguments in court confidently.
Is Being A Lawyer Rewarding?
For many lawyers, the most fulfilling part is helping clients navigate the legal system and achieve successful outcomes. Making a difference in people’s lives is greatly rewarding.
The work can also be intellectually stimulating as every case comes with unique circumstances. Good lawyers enjoy the challenges as well as being their own boss in private practice.
Other Options For Law Degree Holders
A law degree opens up opportunities beyond directly practicing law. Holders can work in compliance, business, government, teaching or non-profits by leveraging their analytical abilities.
The degree shows employers strong research, critical thinking and communication skills which are valuable in many careers. This flexibility allows law graduates diverse professional choices.
Thinking Beyond Being A Traditional Lawyer?
Many law school graduates choose not to hang up a shingle and work directly as attorneys. With the skills learned, there are complimentary careers both inside and outside of the legal field.
Options include working as a paralegal or legal consultant, professor or researcher. Others find law-adjacent roles in finance, politics and journalism interesting as well.
What Else Can You Do As A Law-Trained Professional?
Holders of a Juris Doctor can work as compliance officers at companies to ensure legal and regulatory protocols are followed.
Some become legal editors or analysts providing research and analysis services to lawyers and businesses. The degree also prepares one for careers in law enforcement, intelligence, or national security.
How Can Paralegals Use Their Law Degree?
Paralegals or legal assistants support lawyers by conducting legal research, drafting documents and managing case files/records under a lawyer’s supervision.
A law degree allows one to take on tasks with greater independence while advising clients directly on some legal matters as well. It can help gain promotions to more senior paralegal roles.
Can You Work In Government With A Law Degree?
Many law graduates pursue careers in public service by working in departments like public prosecution, attorney general offices or justice ministries.
Jobs are available as legislative assistants advising elected representatives or policy specialists researching particular issues and drafting reports. International organizations also employ lawyers for legal advisory roles.
Non-Legal Career Paths Are Open To Law Graduates
| Career Path | Description |
| Business Management | Law training translates well to managing businesses, conducting risk assessments, drafting contracts and ensuring compliance. |
| Entrepreneurship | Graduates develop the knowledge and problemsolving abilities to start their own innovative companies in various industries. |
| Politics and Government | Experience arguing policy perspectives positions lawyers for roles like elected officials, legislative assistants and civil servants. |
| Academia and Teaching | Qualified graduates can pursue long-term careers educating the next generation of legal professionals as law professors and lecturers. |
| Journalism | Skills in research, analysis and clear communication lend themselves to journalism reporting on legal and community issues. |
| Non-Profit Leadership | Law degrees prepare individuals to effectively govern nonprofit organizations and advocate for communities through guidance and counsel. |
Working In The Legal Field Without Being A Lawyer
There are support roles within the legal industry that do not require a law license but greatly value the knowledge from a law degree. One can work closely in advising duties.
Legal assistants, paralegals, compliance officers and professors are some examples requiring legal skills and acumen without direct client representation responsibilities of a fully practicing lawyer.
Can You Work In Law Without Practicing?
Yes, many rewarding career opportunities exist for law school graduates who wish to use their learning without sitting for the bar exam. These adjacent occupations allow participants to stay engaged in legal issues.
Roles like legal research, consulting, teaching or lobbying Congress leverage a juris doctor into professions augmenting the work of attorneys and handling some adjacent tasks themselves.
What Jobs Are Available As A Legal Assistant?
Well-trained legal assistants can support law firms by scheduling hearings and depositions, formatting legal briefs and preparing case documents for attorney review.
They manage client records and communications under a supervising lawyer. The work involves administrative tasks as well as some substantive research supporting a practice area.
How About A Career In Legal Research?
Conducting thorough analysis of case law, statutes and regulations is crucial for lawyers to build solid legal arguments. Skilled researchers serve this need at law libraries or firms.
They summarize precedent decisions relevant to pending matters and notify attorneys about newly published rulings potentially impacting current cases. The behind-the-scenes work bolsters advocacy.
Law Libraries Need Law-Educated Staff
5 short tips for law libraries needing law-educated staff
- Provide Expert Research Assistance: Librarians with legal training can advise complex search strategies and identify the most applicable resources.
- Maintain Organized Collections: A law degree helps catalog new publications and organize the library according to important legal principles.
- Deliver Training Programs: Staff can educate lawyers, students and the public on navigating legal databases, citing sources and compiling research.
- Advise on Collection Development: Law-educated librarians aptly assess what additional materials, treatises or journals need acquiring to keep holdings comprehensive.
- Represent the Library: Such personnel are well-prepared to liaise with legal faculties and firms, and represent the library in networks and bar associations.
What Role Can A Compliance Officer Play?
Compliance officers monitor companies’ adherence to juridical and regulatory directives across industries as healthcare, finance or manufacturing with precision.
They scrutinize policies for legal vulnerabilities and coach colleagues on compliant behaviors. Additionally, any policy deviations are promptly investigated and corrective strategies proposed to executives.
Using Your Law Degree In Business
The quantitative and structural perspectives gained from analyzing case arguments transfers well to commercial enterprises needing meticulous risk assessment and paperwork. Many attorneys leave litigation for corporates.
While the subject matter changes, legal acumen remains applicable in multi-faceted business environments with contractual nuances and statutory considerations.
How Useful Is A Law Degree In Business?
Many skills from law school such as critical reading, research proficiency and clear communication translate directly to business administration. Complex problems are systematically broken down.
Legal training also imparts an advantage understanding compliance documents and bargaining agreements central to commerce. The degree qualifies graduates for an array of managerial and advisory functions.
Can Business Benefit From A Legally-Trained Mind?
Absolutely, various departments leverage lawyers’ skills. From contracts and IP departments ensuring deals are iron-clad, to compliance functions maintaining protocols, legally astute hires strengthen operations.
Key risk areas are precisely addressed with a keen awareness of changing rules. Overall, the application of forensic thinking aids high-level strategic decision making.
What Types Of Businesses Appreciate Law Degree Holders?
Nearly all industries see value, but fields working closely with regulations especially favor attorneys. Examples include pharma, utilities running within codes and tech companies navigating privacy laws appreciate legal perspectives proactively in governance roles.
Even beyond designated assignments, prudent advice discourages non-compliant exposure company-wide.
Do Many Companies Hire Lawyers For Non-Legal Roles?
Absolutely, versatile skills allow attorneys to hold managerial posts without practicing law per se. They transition into respected leaders well-equipped with probing questions around political, economic and social aspects beyond technicalities.
Detailed work also readies them for other specialties such as HR where employment stipulations demand close attention.
How Can Law-Trained People Succeed In Management?
Structured thinking assists in designing efficient processes, addressing employee conflicts fairly and drafting manuals streamlining responsibilities.
Former lawyers know how to synthesize facts, listen actively to concerns and coordinate successful projects by respecting all viewpoints. These qualities instill confidence among teams entrusting initiatives to legal minds in executive positions.
Alternative Options For Using Your Juris Doctor
A law degree equips graduates with prized lifelong abilities to explore professions enhancing justice, education and community involvement outside conventional lawyering according to passions. Varied outlets exist for leveraging expertise.
Rather than a single career path, law school opens numerous opportunities for continuing social impact through complementary careers.
Ever Considered Alternatives To Traditional Legal Work?
While private practice engages many juris doctors, others find personal motivation aligning with different callings allowing skill application such as academics or guardianship roles providing legal aid.
Government branches also hire attorneys or they may establish non-profit entities serving underprivileged groups through guidance. Less typical tracks should not be overlooked.
Can You Work As A Legal Educator Or Professor?
Yes, teaching law connects bright minds, shaping future practitioners impartially and rigorously analyzing principles. Professors coach others as they themselves continuously learn from students.
Academia provides an avenue for transmitting knowledge gained from the rigors of law school. Researching also contributes novel insights around evolving debates.
What Public Service Roles Are Available?
Government bodies employ attorneys defending public interests through roles like public advocates, magistrates and ombudspersons fielding citizen issues transparently.
International bodies also seek lawyers as non-partisan advisors or to draft legislation furthering rights globally. Commitment to communities is nurtured through participation in administration.
Do Some Lawyers Become Politicians Or Government Officials?
Indeed, an accomplished legal career equips some to later enter representative politics informed on process. Others may become cabinet ministers overseeing departments.
Understanding complex problems from experiences advocating positions serves well in crafting balanced policies and negotiating on behalf of constituents while in office.
How Many Lawyers Find Fulfillment In Non-Profits Or Ngos?
Many bring their skills to the non-profit sector focused on social, environmental or humanitarian causes. As directors, they can utilize analytical abilities researching strategies with measurable outcomes assisting underserved groups.
Pro-bono activities also allow freely advising less privileged communities on protections. Fulfilling societal roles outside courtrooms is a source of pride.
Frequently Asked Question
Can You Work As A Paralegal Or Legal Assistant With Just A Law Degree?
Yes, a law degree allows one to take on more advanced tasks as a paralegal or legal assistant compared to someone without a law degree.
Is It Possible To Pursue A Career In Business, Management Or Government Without Practicing Law?
Absolutely, law graduates are in high demand for their strong analytical and problem-solving skills in various industries and sectors beyond directly practicing law.
Do Many Law Degree Holders Choose To Work As Professors Or In Legal Education?
Teaching is an attractive career option for some, as it allows them to remain actively engaged with the law and help shape future lawyers through education.
Are There Opportunities For Public Service And Social Impact With A Law Background?
Yes, roles in public advocacy, policymaking, judiciary, nonprofit organizations and international organizations are common choices to utilize legal skills for the betterment of society.
How Easily Can Legal Experience Transfer To Careers In Journalism, Politics Or Entrepreneurship?
The skills gained such as research, writing and oral advocacy can serve very well in adjacent fields, and many lawyers successfully make a transition to alternative paths later in their careers.
Conclusion
A law degree truly opens up many diverse options for an exciting career path. From practicing law and working as an attorney, to utilizing legal skills in roles inside or outside the field, there are plenty of opportunities available. The degree not only develops valuable hard skills like analytical thinking, but also equips graduates with flexible soft abilities to succeed across industries.
Whether it be directly working in the legal sector as a lawyer, paralegal or educator, or applying learned expertise indirectly in business, government, or non-profits, what you can do with a law degree is unlimited. The choice lies with each graduate to identify career domains aligned with their passions and interests. With the versatile education provided, juris doctors are well-placed for interesting, impactful and rewarding careers far beyond traditional law practice.
