Gavin Howe
A law degree is a versatile qualification that can lead to a diverse range of careers. While many law graduates go on to become lawyers, others pursue careers in finance, human resources, sales, marketing, politics, journalism, academia, and more. Law school graduates may work in law firms, corporations, non-profits, or judicial offices. They can also work as consultants, analysts, compliance officers, special agents, or management consultants. Some law graduates may choose to pursue further education and obtain a Master's or Doctoral degree, focusing on research and academic scholarship. With a law degree, individuals can also explore careers in international property law, environmental law, immigration law, and teaching. The possibilities are endless, and a law degree provides a solid foundation for various exciting and lucrative career paths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career paths | Lawyer, law firm employee, company employee, non-profit employee, judicial office worker, finance worker, product/project manager, HR worker, sales worker, marketing worker, journalist, teacher/professor, compliance worker, management consultant, special agent, private investigator, lobbyist, military lawyer, patent attorney, and more |
| Education paths | Master's degree, doctoral degree, LLM |
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What You'll Learn
Law careers in fields like environmental and immigration law
A J.D. degree can lead to law careers in various fields, including environmental and immigration law.
Environmental Law
Environmental lawyers can work in the public or private sector, in areas such as climate change, energy law, and international law. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or law firms. For example, the NRDC is a national organization of scientists, lawyers, and environmentalists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Municipal governments are increasingly taking on climate change projects, creating career opportunities for attorneys interested in municipal and climate change law. International environmental lawyers participate in treaty negotiations, develop environmental laws, and litigate before international tribunals.
Immigration Law
Immigration lawyers can work in various settings, including non-profit organizations, law firms, and government agencies. They may represent clients in immigration proceedings, provide legal advice and assistance with immigration applications, or work on policy development and implementation. Immigration lawyers may also specialize in specific areas, such as refugee law, asylum law, or citizenship law.
Other Law Careers
Other law careers include working in banking and finance law, tax law, compliance law, and bankruptcy law. Lawyers can also work in academia, teaching in law schools, colleges, and universities. Additionally, lawyers may find employment in non-academic positions within educational institutions or work in the private sector for corporations, banks, brokerage firms, or insurance companies.
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Working in finance, HR, sales, marketing, etc
Finance
A law degree can be beneficial when pursuing a career in finance. Financial attorneys, for example, work with the laws and regulations surrounding the financial field, including banking, investment sectors, bankruptcy, capital markets, fund and asset management, stockbrokers, and retail businesses. A law degree can also be useful for roles such as investment banking analyst and chief financial officer (CFO). Networking with graduates from your law school who work in finance and volunteering or interning at financial institutions can be helpful steps when pursuing a career in this field.
Human Resources (HR)
A law degree can also be advantageous for HR professionals. Corporations often favour HR professionals with law degrees as they can help reduce risks from lawsuits, reputational damage, and financial losses. A law degree can provide a strong foundation for understanding and applying laws relating to employer obligations and employee rights, as well as legally defensible policies and procedures. HR professionals with law degrees can also help guide decision-making by connecting the law to corporate values, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, and earning the trust of co-workers.
Sales and Marketing
A law degree can be useful in sales and marketing roles, particularly when it comes to legal writing and strategy. Understanding consumer law and contract law can help reduce risk and improve customer confidence. Additionally, knowledge of intellectual property law, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, can be valuable in marketing roles. Legal training can help in formulating persuasive arguments and presenting them effectively, which is a key aspect of marketing products and services.
Overall, a law degree can provide a strong foundation for a variety of careers in finance, HR, sales, and marketing, allowing individuals to apply their legal knowledge to reduce risk, make informed decisions, and add value to their organisations.
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Politics and policy work
Many politicians and public servants are lawyers, and a legal education can help develop a range of skills and experience that can benefit a career in politics, including the ability to see both sides of an argument, strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, and adaptability. Law school can also help you understand the application and different interpretations of policy within society, which is key to understanding the influence and limitations of politics.
There are a variety of roles at the intersection of law and government, and many career possibilities. These roles are diverse and contingent upon factors such as your preferred level of government, geographical scope and area of specialization. At the federal level, specializations include public health and safety, defense and security, economic regulation, environmental protection, diplomacy and international relations. At the state level, they include the regulation of industry, transportation, elections and education. At the local level, they include housing and planning, licensing, and emergency medical services.
Law students often study US law, but some study international law as well. If you want to go into politics or government, then political science is your major. Undergraduate studies in any area of political science can give you a career in public administration. Many political science majors go on to law school, and a majority seriously consider it.
Many law school applicants are interested in future public interest work, and law schools with strong public interest programs can help prepare students for careers in politics and policy work. Students can also gain relevant experience through internships with public offices or nonprofits.
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Academia and research
A degree in law opens up a diverse range of career paths, including academia and research. Law school graduates often work in law schools, colleges, and universities. Lawyers teach in law schools and at other educational levels. Some graduates go on to faculty positions, while others work in non-academic roles in colleges, such as Dean, Director of Admissions, Alumni Affairs, and Development.
Law graduates can also pursue careers involving research and academic scholarship at the Master's and doctoral levels. For instance, they can become law professors, who educate students on legal concepts and prepare them for their future careers as lawyers. Professors explain complicated laws and their applications, teach students how to interpret legal documents, and guide them on using ethics when representing clients. Additionally, professors are responsible for creating coursework, conducting research, and providing career advice.
A law degree is also advantageous for careers in politics and government. Many law school graduates work in various government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the Office of Homeland Security, and the Security Exchange Commission. Attorneys serve in all branches of the military as part of the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG). Law graduates with a background in publishing or journalism may also find employment in legal publishing and media, utilising their legal expertise to report on crimes and political events.
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Journalism
There are several paths to becoming a legal journalist. One option is to attend law school and gain experience through internships at law firms, which can provide valuable insights into legal cases. Another option is to pursue a journalism degree, such as a master's or certificate program, and gain experience through internships with news organizations. Some journalists with law degrees have also started as bloggers or columnists, writing about the news without the same pressures and low pay of traditional reporting roles.
Legal journalists can work for leading companies and publications, including newspapers, magazines, and online media outlets. They may also choose to start their own channels on social media platforms or write posts on personal blogs. The career scope for legal journalists is vast and diverse, offering creative freedom and the opportunity to experiment with different interests and requirements.
It is important to note that the job of a legal journalist may involve a lot of travel and hectic schedules, and the pay may not be as high as that of established lawyers, especially at the entry level. However, with experience, legal journalists can command higher salaries, and their expertise can make them highly employable in fields like legal marketing.
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Frequently asked questions
Law graduates can pursue a variety of career paths, including:
- Working in a law firm, company, or non-profit organisation
- Becoming a licensed attorney or lawyer
- Working in finance, sales, marketing, or human resources
- Teaching or working in academia
- Working in media or journalism
- Working in politics or government
Some specific roles for law graduates include:
- Prosecutors or defence attorneys
- Compliance law specialists
- Tax lawyers
- Bankruptcy attorneys
- Special agents or investigators
- Management consultants
Law graduates can pursue a wide range of non-legal roles, including:
- Consulting or business development
- Human resources or recruitment
- Policy work or government relations
- Journalism or media relations
- Marketing or sales
