Keith Mack
A law degree from an American university can open doors to a multitude of careers, both within and outside the legal profession. Law graduates can choose to practice as attorneys, solicitors, barristers, or lawyers, or explore alternative career paths in fields such as business, finance, marketing, human resources, education, and government. The transferable skills gained during a law degree, such as research, evaluation, communication, and analytical skills, make law graduates highly employable across various industries and sectors. Additionally, the excellent academic teaching provided by American law schools enhances the value of an American law degree worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career options | Plaintiff attorneys, corporate lawyers, contract negotiators, claims examiners, title examiners, university attorneys, solicitor, barrister, roles in finance, business, marketing, administration, research, publishing, editing, law recruitment, library or IT department of a law firm, government, diplomacy, education, accountancy, HR, sales, PR, advertising, entertainment |
| Salary | Median annual salary for lawyers is nearly three times the median annual wage for all occupations nationwide |
| Demand | BLS projects a 10% increase in employment for lawyers from 2021 to 2031 |
| Skills | Research, evaluation, interpretation, communication, persuasion, interpersonal, analytical, written, critical thinking |
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What You'll Learn
Lucrative careers in law firms
An American law degree is a versatile qualification that can lead to many lucrative careers in law firms. Law firms employ a wide variety of workers, and there are over 100 occupations in the legal services industry.
Corporate Lawyers
Corporate lawyers provide legal support to large companies and organizations. They may practice in various areas, depending on their clients, from healthcare and medical malpractice to banking litigation and government relations. Corporate associates advise clients on regulatory compliance, contracts, transactions, and finance. This career generally requires a law degree and licensure to practice law in a particular state. Employers prefer candidates with excellent writing and speaking skills and a few years of experience in corporate law or at a large law firm.
Plaintiff Attorneys
Also known as personal injury lawyers, plaintiff attorneys handle cases involving employees, employers, and employment-related issues. They advise clients on various employment regulations and alert them to illegal activity. Plaintiff attorneys also represent employers at Equal Employment Opportunities Commission hearings and advise on issues related to the National Labor Relations Board. Aside from a law degree, plaintiff attorneys need experience in employment law and excellent communication and negotiation skills.
Immigration Lawyers
Immigration lawyers provide legal assistance to people who want to live, work, or study in another country. They advise on immigration matters like green cards, visa applications, naturalization, citizenship, and deportation. Many immigration attorneys also handle cases involving immigration as it relates to criminal laws. Immigration lawyers earn a national average salary of $99,547 per year.
Energy Attorneys
Energy attorneys are legally authorized to work in the energy sector and are experts in energy use, regulation, and law. They handle electricity, gas, coal, and energy trading work, as well as contracts and agreements related to natural resources and renewable energy.
IP Attorneys
IP attorneys, or intellectual property lawyers, specialize in trademark, copyright, patent, licensing, or trade secret law. Patent lawyers protect inventions, trade secret lawyers defend formulas or methods, and copyright lawyers work with songs, photos, and other creative works.
Other Careers in Law Firms
Law firms also employ paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, bookkeepers, accountants, auditors, human resources specialists, librarians, and IT specialists. Entry-level jobs such as legal secretary or law clerk can provide a pathway to higher positions within a law firm.
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Roles in finance, business, marketing, and HR
An American law degree can open doors to various roles in finance, business, marketing, and HR. Here are some examples:
Finance
- Financial attorneys work with the laws and regulations governing the financial sector, including banking, investment sectors, bankruptcy, capital markets, fund and asset management, stockbrokers, and retail businesses.
- Investment banking analysts advise clients on future and current investments based on financial data.
- Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for all financial activities within a business.
- Risk analysts evaluate and analyze a company's financial decisions for potential risks, often when a business is expanding.
- Management consultants advise companies on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing performance. They often work for consulting firms and may specialize in a particular field or industry.
Business
- Business development roles involve formulating business strategies, writing proposals, and evaluating strategies to achieve favorable results.
- Corporate trainers utilize their organizational skills and knowledge of business and management practices to train and develop employees.
Marketing
- Marketing roles can benefit from legal writing and strategy skills, formulating and presenting arguments persuasively.
- Intellectual Property (IP) expertise, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, is valuable in marketing.
- Adapting legal skills with creativity can help in marketing products and services.
HR
- Human Resources (HR) professionals with a legal background can navigate compliance guidelines, laws, and regulations.
- Employment law expertise is crucial for HR specialists to craft policies that protect the organization and foster a safe, inclusive work environment.
- HR professionals also handle employee relations and disputes, requiring a solid understanding of employment law.
- An advanced degree in law, such as a Master of Legal Studies, can help HR professionals advance in their careers and pursue specialized positions.
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Transferable skills for communications and entertainment
An American law degree is a versatile qualification that can lead to many career paths, including those in the communications and entertainment industries. Here are some transferable skills that can be gained from a law degree and applied in these fields:
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Communication skills are highly valued in any industry, and law students develop strong written and verbal communication abilities through assignments, presentations, and negotiations. They learn to construct clear and persuasive arguments, adapt their messaging to different situations, and think on their feet—all valuable skills for roles in communications and entertainment.
Critical Thinking and Analysis
Law students become adept at analysing complex information, recognising reliable data, and making logical conclusions. They develop critical thinking skills by comparing theories and arguments, evaluating evidence, and reaching evidence-based decisions. These skills are essential for media and entertainment professionals who need to evaluate content and make informed choices.
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Negotiation skills are a key component of a law degree. Students learn to verbally negotiate, challenge decisions, and resolve conflicts. These abilities are advantageous in entertainment industries, where negotiating contracts and managing disputes are common.
Research and Evaluation
Law graduates are skilled researchers, able to gather data, evaluate sources, and identify reliable information. They are trained to explore different perspectives, consider multiple theories, and make informed recommendations. These skills are valuable for media and entertainment professionals conducting research for content development, fact-checking, or investigative journalism.
Creativity and Problem-Solving
Studying law involves navigating complex situations and finding creative solutions. Law students learn to "think outside the box," a skill that can be leveraged in entertainment roles, such as developing innovative storylines, designing marketing strategies, or devising solutions to production challenges.
Time Management and Organisation
Law degrees often involve managing heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and multiple commitments. Law graduates excel at time management and organisation, which are essential skills for media and entertainment professionals who typically work in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
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Working as a solicitor or barrister
In the United States, solicitors and barristers are called attorneys, and there is no distinction between the two roles. To become an attorney, you must first obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). This typically involves three or four years of specialized legal studies, including topics such as administrative law, legal theory, analytical legal methods, bankruptcy law, business law, and ethics. After obtaining your JD degree, you will need to pass the bar exam to become a licensed attorney and begin practising law.
The process of becoming a licensed attorney in the US may vary slightly depending on the state you intend to practice in and whether you have a foreign law degree. For example, California and New York have specific regulations in place to swiftly admit foreign-trained lawyers to the bar. In most cases, foreign-trained lawyers will need to complete a Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) degree from an ABA-accredited law school and pass the bar exam to practice law in the US. The bar exam requirements may include passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), a legal ethics test, and the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which consists of three different examinations: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
As an attorney in the US, you can work in various industries and specializations, including corporate law, finance law, contract law, and more. The median annual salary for lawyers in the US is nearly $130,000, making it a lucrative career option. Additionally, the demand for lawyers is high, with a projected 10% increase in employment from 2021 to 2031.
While the above information specifically addresses the question of becoming a solicitor or barrister in the US, it is worth noting that a law degree from an American university can also open doors to various other career paths. The multidisciplinary nature of law equips graduates with transferable skills in communication, persuasion, and analytical thinking, making them attractive candidates for roles in business, government, diplomacy, education, marketing, and more.
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Practicing law as an attorney
The bar exam is a series of standardized tests developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is a modernized version of the exam, consisting of three different examinations: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), a multiple-choice examination covering constitutional law, criminal law, evidence, real property law, contracts, and torts; the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), consisting of 30-minute essay questions on MBE topics and additional legal topics; and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), which tests analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to resolve professional ethics issues. In addition to passing the bar exam, applicants must also demonstrate good moral character and fitness to serve as legal counsel.
Once admitted to the bar, attorneys can practice law in a variety of industries and specializations. They can work in law firms, government agencies, or organizations' legal departments. They can also work as in-house counsel for large organizations. Attorneys typically work in office settings but may travel to meet with clients or appear in court. They may also work remotely or telecommute from another state, although this is subject to varying state regulations.
Attorneys can advance in their careers by becoming partners in a firm, which means partial ownership of the firm. They can also go into practice for themselves or move to a different state or federal court jurisdiction with the appropriate licensing requirements. Some attorneys may even become judges, although this usually requires political support and an appointment or election process.
In addition to traditional legal careers, law graduates can also find employment in other areas such as business, finance, marketing, administration, research, publishing, and education. The skills gained during a law degree, such as communication, persuasion, and analytical abilities, are highly transferable and attractive to employers in a variety of industries.
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Frequently asked questions
An American Law Degree is an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in law from a university in the United States. It can lead to a career in law or other fields.
With an American Law Degree, you can pursue a career as a lawyer, solicitor, or barrister. You can also work in fields such as business, finance, marketing, human resources, government, diplomacy, and education.
To practice law in the US, you need to obtain a Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school and pass the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice. The bar exam includes ethical, multiple-choice, and essay examinations.
Yes, each country has its own regulations for practising law. For example, in the UK, you would need to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to become a solicitor or undertake a Bar course followed by a pupillage to become a barrister.
An American Law Degree can provide you with transferable skills such as research, evaluation, communication, and analytical skills, which are valuable in various fields, including business, marketing, and human resources.
