Gavin Howe
An undergraduate law degree is a versatile qualification that can open doors to a wide range of careers. While some law graduates go on to become licensed attorneys or lawyers, others may choose to pursue alternative paths. The degree provides a solid foundation for various roles in the legal and corporate sectors, as well as in education, government, and entrepreneurship. It is also a valuable asset for those interested in politics, finance, human resources, sales, and marketing. Those with an undergraduate law degree can also consider further education, such as an LLM, to specialize in a particular area of law or explore academia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work setting | Law firms, banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, schools, hospitals, universities, corporations, government agencies, non-profit organizations |
| Job title | Lawyer, solo practitioner, entrepreneur, legislator, CEO, judicial clerk, public defender, lobbyist, teacher, consultant, finance professional, product/project manager, HR professional, sales professional, marketing professional |
| Skills | Critical reading and analysis, written communication, research, writing, public speaking, negotiation |
| Academic background | No required undergraduate major; common majors include history, English, philosophy, political science, economics, business |
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What You'll Learn
Lawyers in corporate headquarters
Corporate lawyers are also responsible for ensuring their clients comply with complex state and federal regulations. They may also oversee the process and documentation of two companies merging or one company purchasing another. In this scenario, they are responsible for creating contracts and negotiating agreements between the entities.
Corporate lawyers can work in small or large firms, and some work in-house for corporations. They may also migrate to other professions such as investment banking and teaching law. The path to becoming a corporate lawyer involves attending law school to obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and being licensed to practice law in their state. Some states have additional requirements, such as passing an ethical exam and gaining admission to the state bar association. Corporate lawyers often meet continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses.
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Finance, product/project management, HR, sales, marketing
Finance
An undergraduate law degree can be a good starting point for a career in finance, particularly corporate law and tax law. Working as a paralegal in your chosen field before starting the law school application process is recommended to gain an understanding of the workflow and work-life balance in the legal profession.
Product/Project Management
Product management and project management roles are also options for those with an undergraduate law degree. Product managers are responsible for the entire development lifecycle of a product, which involves understanding the needs of the business and the user/customer and turning these into deliverable, working products. Legal project managers, on the other hand, help law firms run more efficiently and in a more cost-effective and client-focused way. They ensure that processes are planned, carried out, monitored, and communicated. While not all law firms need a legal project manager, most growing firms could benefit from project management.
Human Resources (HR)
While most HR professionals need a bachelor's degree in human resources, an online Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) degree can help advance your career and pursue specialized positions in HR. This is because the fields of human resources and law frequently intersect, especially in employment contract development and compliance in employment law.
Sales and Marketing
With an undergraduate law degree, you can develop transferable skills such as interpersonal, persuasion, and communication skills, which are useful in sales and marketing roles. Additionally, legal writing and strategy skills can be adapted to market products and services, especially in the area of intellectual property (IP), which includes trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
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Academia, teaching, LSAT tutoring
An undergraduate law degree can be a great starting point for a career in academia, teaching, or LSAT tutoring. Here are some ways to get started in these fields:
Academia
If you're interested in pursuing a career in academia, there are a few well-trodden paths to consider. One path is to strive for exceptional academic performance in law school, such as graduating with honours. Another path is to pursue graduate studies in another area relevant to law, such as history, economics, or philosophy, often leading to a Ph.D. This interdisciplinary approach can make you a strong candidate for law teaching positions, as it demonstrates scholarly potential. Publishing scholarly work, such as articles in law reviews, is an excellent way to establish yourself in the field and attract the attention of law schools.
Teaching
To become a law teacher, it's important to cultivate expertise in specific areas of law. Consider pursuing a course of study in your second and third years of law school that allows you to develop knowledge in the areas you wish to teach. Certain areas of law, such as constitutional law and jurisprudence, may have an oversupply of candidates, while others, like real estate law, commercial law, and corporate law, are often in short supply. Think about pursuing areas where there is a higher demand for teachers.
LSAT Tutoring
With an undergraduate law degree, you can also become an LSAT tutor. While some tutoring companies may require a real LSAT score, others may focus on your ability to teach and provide quality advice for test day. Having a high LSAT score, such as in the 170s or higher, can make you more attractive to potential students. You can start by offering cheap local tutoring sessions to build experience and gain confidence in your ability to explain LSAT questions.
Remember, these are just a few options available to you with an undergraduate law degree. Depending on your interests and goals, you can explore various paths within the field of law to find the one that best suits your aspirations.
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Policy work, politics, consulting
Policy work, politics, and consulting
An undergraduate law degree can be a great starting point for a career in policy work, politics, or consulting. Here are some ways in which you can enter these fields:
Policy Work
Policy work typically involves developing, analysing, and evaluating policies for governments, organisations, or companies. With an undergraduate law degree, you can gain the necessary skills and knowledge to work in policy development and analysis. You can leverage your understanding of legal principles and research and writing skills to contribute to policy-making processes. Additionally, a law degree can provide a strong foundation for specialising in areas such as education policy, health policy, or international policy, depending on your interests and additional qualifications.
Politics
A career in politics often involves engaging in public service, representing constituents, and contributing to legislative processes. An undergraduate law degree can be a valuable asset for a career in politics as it provides a strong understanding of the legal system and legislative processes. It also equips individuals with critical thinking, communication, and advocacy skills, which are essential for navigating the political landscape. Many law graduates go on to pursue political careers, running for public office, working as legislative aides, or joining political campaigns.
Consulting
Consulting offers a diverse range of opportunities, including management consulting, strategy consulting, and industry-specific consulting. With an undergraduate law degree, you can transition into consulting by developing additional skills. Law graduates often possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, along with excellent communication skills, which are highly valued in consulting. However, developing quantitative skills, such as proficiency in Excel and financial modelling, can significantly enhance your profile for consulting roles. Consulting firms value individuals who can demonstrate a commercial understanding of their work and effectively apply their legal knowledge in a business context.
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Public interest law, legal aid
Public Interest Law
Public interest law is defined as any legal work that affects the well-being, rights, health, or finances of the public at large, often advocating for those living in poverty or marginalised populations. This type of law is generally considered to encompass non-profit, most private, plaintiff-oriented practice, and government employment.
Public interest lawyers may represent individuals, organisations, or governmental clients in adjudicative proceedings or transactional matters. Alternatively, their work may focus on bringing about social or political change through lobbying, policy advocacy, public education, community organising, and/or class-action litigation.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in public interest law, it is beneficial to gain practical experience through internships, externships, or volunteering at a public interest organisation. Developing strong writing skills and public speaking abilities is also important, as well as learning a foreign language to work with non-English speaking populations.
Legal Aid
Legal aid societies, such as the Legal Aid Society in New York City, aim to provide access to justice for those who cannot afford it. They offer a range of career paths for law students, attorneys, paralegals, social workers, investigators, and administrative staff.
To apply for entry-level staff attorney positions at legal aid organisations, you typically need less than three years of experience. However, the application process can be competitive, and organisations may seek candidates with critical practical experience and a commitment to social justice.
Legal aid job boards, such as the one offered by the Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC), can be a great resource for finding internship, nonprofit, and legal job opportunities in the public interest sector.
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Frequently asked questions
An undergraduate law degree is the first step towards becoming a lawyer. It is a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, which will prepare you for law school and, eventually, the legal profession.
An undergraduate law degree is a stepping stone to a graduate law degree (a Juris Doctor or J.D.). With a J.D., you can practice law, but you are not limited to this path.
You can work as a lawyer, solo practitioner, or in a law firm. You can also work in finance, HR, sales, marketing, or even become an entrepreneur. Some law graduates also go into teaching or academia.
A J.D. is a professional degree that prepares you for the legal profession. It is an advantage for certain government positions, finance roles, and consulting tracks. It can also help you skip entry-level positions in some fields.
There is no required major for an undergraduate law degree. However, some common majors include political science, economics, philosophy, and history. It is recommended to choose a major that interests and challenges you while developing your research and writing skills.
