Gavin Howe
If you're considering a career in law, there are a few things you should know. First, a law degree is a versatile qualification that can lead to various career paths, both within and outside the legal profession. While a law degree is typically a gateway to careers as a solicitor or barrister, it can also open doors to other areas such as accountancy, HR, marketing, and business. Secondly, the process of becoming a lawyer is complex and highly competitive, with rigorous academic requirements. Getting into law school typically requires a bachelor's degree, a high GPA, and a strong performance on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Additionally, work experience and extracurricular activities are highly valued by admissions committees and future employers. It's also important to consider the financial investment required for law school, as tuition and fees can be significant. Finally, it's worth noting that the day-to-day reality of being a lawyer may differ from popular media portrayals, and job satisfaction rates among attorneys are a topic of discussion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career opportunities | Solicitor, barrister, legal professional, lawyer, attorney, paralegal, judge, law school teacher, etc. |
| Education | Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a high grade point average. |
| Standardized tests | LSAT (Law School Admission Test) |
| Work experience | Mini-pupillage, internships, and other legal or non-legal work experience are valued by employers. |
| School ranking | Higher-ranked schools open more doors to coveted positions and higher salaries. |
| Cost | Average tuition and fees for the top 10 law schools in the US: $60,293/year. Private: $46,164. Public: $26,264 (in-state) and $39,612 (out-of-state). |
| Criminal record | A criminal record may affect admission prospects and future career prospects, but it doesn't automatically disqualify an applicant. |
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What You'll Learn
What can I do with a law degree?
A law degree is a great foundation for a variety of careers, both within and outside the legal profession. While many graduates go on to become solicitors, barristers, or lawyers, there are numerous other paths to explore.
Legal Profession
Within the legal profession, law graduates can pursue roles such as solicitors, barristers, or lawyers, working in various settings, including:
- High street solicitors' practices, offering a wide range of caseloads in criminal, family, probate, and business law
- Small or boutique law firms
- Large law firms with hundreds of lawyers worldwide
- Local, state, or federal government agencies, such as the District Attorney's offices, Public Defenders' offices, Attorneys General offices, or commissions like the Security Exchange Commission
- Corporations, where they can work as in-house corporate counsel, advising on legal activities
- Legal-aid societies, which are private, non-profit agencies serving economically disadvantaged individuals
- Law schools, colleges, or universities, where they can teach or take on administrative roles
Alternative Careers
For those interested in alternative careers, a law degree provides a diverse skill set, including analytical, communication, and management abilities, that can be leveraged in numerous fields:
- Banking and financial sector: roles in bank trust departments, brokerage firms, or insurance companies
- Human resources: HR departments in businesses or large firms
- Property development
- Education: law school graduates can work in non-academic portions of educational institutions, such as admissions, alumni affairs, or career services
- Media and journalism: with a background in publishing or journalism, graduates can pursue jobs in legal publishing or media
- Specialization in emerging areas like AI, digital, and cyber law
- Private investigator: obtaining information, conducting surveillance, and preparing reports for clients
- Special agent: investigating crimes related to national security and working with federal law enforcement agencies
- Management consultant: advising organizations on improving efficiency and revenue
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How do I get into law school?
Getting into law school can be a complex and challenging process. Here are some steps to help you get started on your journey towards becoming a lawyer:
Education
Firstly, you will need to have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Law schools typically do not require a specific major, but many students choose majors such as political science, history, or English. It is important to maintain a high grade point average (GPA), as this will be a factor in your law school application.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The LSAT is a standardised test that assesses reading comprehension, writing skills, and analytical and reasoning skills. It is a crucial component of your law school application and can make or break your admission chances. It is recommended to start preparing for the LSAT well in advance, ideally a year or even earlier. You can take preparation courses and use workbooks to familiarise yourself with the question types.
Personal Statement
Most law school applications will require a personal statement. This is your opportunity to showcase your background, experiences, motivations, and goals. It is important to be authentic and tell your story effectively. Include your actual experiences and past accomplishments rather than speculating on future accomplishments.
Letters of Recommendation
Law schools generally require at least two letters of recommendation. These can be from professors, employers, or anyone who can speak to your academic achievements and character. Give your recommenders enough time to write thoughtful letters, and consider discussing which specific elements of your success you would like them to include.
Work Experience
Having real-world work experience can set you apart from other applicants. Law schools are increasingly seeking a diverse range of applicants, and work experience is something that admissions teams actively prefer. Consider applying for volunteer positions at law firms, legal aid, or community legal services to gain relevant experience.
Application Timing
It is advisable to submit your law school applications by the end of November, even if the official deadline is later. Law schools often have a rolling admissions process, so applying early increases your chances of acceptance.
Remember, getting into law school is a competitive process, and it is important to put your best foot forward in every aspect of your application. Good luck!
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What is law school like?
Law school is a challenging academic experience meant to build analytical reasoning and argument skills along with knowledge of case law. The primary purpose of law school is to teach students to think like lawyers. This means thinking critically and objectively, being able to assess an issue from more than one perspective, and developing the ability to argue in court. Law school professors use the Socratic Method to develop students' critical thinking skills and their ability to analyse cases. This involves giving an initial opinion or definition, asking questions and cross-examining it with counterarguments, and refining it based on the discussion.
The first year of law school is highly structured and fairly standard across programs. Students will follow a designated course of study that may include civil procedure, property law, torts, contracts, procedures, legal writing, criminal law, legal research, and constitutional law. Students will also learn legal research and writing, which are critical elements of the first-year law school experience. The case method approach is unfamiliar to many first-year students, and it involves the detailed examination of related judicial opinions that describe an area of law. Students are encouraged to create outlines of the course material and join study groups to help understand complicated concepts.
After the first year, students will have the opportunity to select from a broad range of courses, including administrative law, civil litigation, commercial law, corporations, evidence, family law, professional responsibility, taxation, and wills and trusts. Students will also be helped to get internships to gain experience in a professional setting, like working for a district attorney's office or as a court clerk.
Law school can be stressful, but many students enjoy the material and the community. It can be a luxury to be a student, and law school opens up a whole new path in life. Students also appreciate the social aspects of law school, such as events with free lunch, and the opportunity to make friends.
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What are alternative careers for lawyers?
There are a variety of alternative career paths that lawyers can pursue. These include:
- Academia: Lawyers can become law professors and teach at universities. This career path allows them to share their knowledge and experience with the next generation of legal professionals.
- Journalism: Lawyers often possess strong writing, interview, and investigatory skills, making journalism a natural fit. They can leverage their ability to tell stories and explain complex issues effectively.
- Public Relations (PR): For lawyers who excel at networking and building relationships, PR offers a chance to work with clients in various industries, including sports, and help them manage their public image.
- Marketing: With the rise of social media and digital marketing, the marketing field has expanded significantly. Lawyers can tap into their creative side and learn digital marketing skills to pursue careers in marketing, either in-house or as freelancers.
- Human Resources or Industrial Relations: Employment lawyers, in particular, can transition into human resources roles, where they can handle employee relations, recruitment, and policy development.
- Management Consulting: Law students and lawyers can leverage their legal knowledge and analytical skills to advise businesses on strategic decisions and navigate complex regulatory environments.
- Finance and Banking: Lawyers with experience in securities, trusts and estates, tax, or banking law can move into the finance and banking industry. Roles such as risk manager, financial planner, and mutual fund administrator utilise their legal expertise.
- Policy and Public Service: Lawyers can use their legal expertise to influence public policy and work for government agencies. They may serve as policy analysts, researching and coordinating policy development, or advise on specific areas such as health, immigration, or education.
- Entrepreneurship: Lawyers often possess the intellect and commercial acumen to start their own businesses. They can utilise their legal skills to navigate the challenges of launching and growing a successful venture.
These are just a few examples of alternative careers for lawyers. It is important to note that transitioning to a non-traditional legal career requires careful self-assessment, identifying transferable skills, and researching the specific requirements of the desired field.
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What are the best law schools?
When it comes to law schools, the best ones are often considered to be in the UK or the US, with over half of the world's top 10 law schools located in America. However, there are excellent law schools in other countries too, such as the National University of Singapore, which is the only university from outside the UK and US to feature in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 top 10. Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, and France also feature in the top 20 at least once.
In the US, Harvard is often considered the most elite law school, beating Yale and Stanford in worldwide law school rankings. Cornell, Georgetown, Chicago, UCLA, Penn, Duke, and Michigan are also top law schools in the US, all featuring in the top 50 worldwide. UC Irvine, Notre Dame, U. Washington, and Vanderbilt are also highly ranked, within the top 150.
Outside of the US, the University of Cambridge in the UK is renowned for its robust programmes and diverse course offerings, and the University of Melbourne in Australia is well-known for its outstanding legal education and research, particularly in public and constitutional law. Canadian law schools are also excellent, with a focus on Indigenous law, international human rights, and environmental legislation, and a blend of common law and civil law traditions.
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Frequently asked questions
A law degree is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it's not the only path you can take. Many law graduates go on to work in other areas such as accountancy, HR, marketing, business, and education.
To get into law school, you need to have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. While law schools typically do not require a specific major, it's important to maintain a high grade point average. You will also need to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and may require a letter of recommendation.
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from attending law school, but it can affect your admission prospects and future career as a lawyer. Each law school has its own admission policy regarding criminal records, and it is often a requirement to disclose any criminal history during the application process and show personal growth and rehabilitation.
It is important to consider your motivations for wanting to go to law school and whether the opportunity and salary match your expectations. Taking time off before applying can be beneficial as it allows you to gain real-world experience, which is valued by law school admissions and employers. Additionally, it is worth considering the ranking of the law school and whether it aligns with your career goals, as a lower-ranked school may not open the same doors as a top-tier institution.
