Cameron Miranda
A law degree is a versatile qualification that can lead to a variety of careers, both within and outside the legal profession. While many law graduates go on to become solicitors, barristers, or lawyers, others pursue alternative paths such as politics, journalism, or business. The skills acquired during a law degree, including research, evaluation, and analytical abilities, are highly valued by employers and can be applied to various roles. From compliance officers and analysts to contract administrators and e-discovery specialists, a law degree can open doors to diverse and exciting career opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career options | Lawyer, solicitor, barrister, judge, compliance officer, contract administrator, e-discovery specialist, journalist, real estate agent, diplomat, politician, professor, entrepreneur, CEO, legislator, claims adjuster, private investigator |
| Skills | Analytical, communication, management, research, evaluation, interpretation, explanation |
| Salary range | $41,431 to $218,000 per year |
What You'll Learn
Law careers beyond the legal profession
A law degree is not only a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister but also to a multitude of other career paths. The skills acquired during a law degree, such as research, evaluation, interpretation, and communication, are highly valued in many sectors.
One option is to become a law school career counsellor, assisting law students in finding their career paths, identifying job opportunities, and preparing for the job search process. A law degree can also be beneficial for academic careers, such as becoming a law professor, where one can educate future lawyers and conduct research.
For those interested in business, a law degree can be an asset for careers in human resources, marketing, and business development. A law graduate may also choose to become a law firm administrator, managing the day-to-day operations of a law firm, including billing, accounting, and human resources.
Other non-legal careers
Outside of the legal and business sectors, a law degree can be advantageous for careers in journalism, where legal expertise can be used to report on crimes and political events. Similarly, a law graduate may become a lobbyist, using their knowledge to influence public policy and advocate for specific causes.
A law degree can also be a stepping stone to a career in diplomacy, where professionals specialize in foreign policy and engage with world leaders. Alternatively, one may choose to become a private investigator, obtaining information for clients, conducting surveillance, and adhering to privacy laws.
Property and finance
Additionally, law graduates can find careers in the property sector, such as becoming a real estate agent or title examiner, where they can utilize their knowledge of legal documents and contracts. Finally, a law degree can open doors to careers in the banking and financial sector, where legal knowledge is valuable for understanding regulatory frameworks and compliance.
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Law careers in politics
A law degree is a great starting point for a career in politics. Many law school graduates work in the political process as legislative representatives, and some even get elected into positions of power. A law degree is also an incredibly beneficial qualification to have if you want to pursue a career in public service and government.
If you want to work in politics with a law degree, you could consider becoming a government lawyer. Many government lawyers work at the local level, but state governments and federal governments also hire lawyers to perform a range of tasks. Most federal government agencies have legal counsel, including the US Department of Justice, the Office of Homeland Security, and the Security Exchange Commission. Judicial clerks are a subset of government lawyers, and these intellectually-stimulating and prestigious positions are often available at both the federal and state levels.
Alternatively, you could pursue a career in politics without becoming a lawyer. For example, you could work in law firms in non-practice roles, such as business development, clerk and attorney recruitment, law firm finances, human resources, or managing office work flow. You could also work in political research, journalism, PR, or marketing.
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Law careers in education
A law degree can be a great asset for a career in education, and there are several paths you can take in this field.
Teaching and Academia
Law school graduates often teach in law schools, colleges, and at other educational levels. They may take on faculty positions or work in non-academic administrative roles such as Dean, Director of Admissions, Alumni Affairs, and Career Services.
Education Law
Education law is a diverse field that involves representing children to ensure they receive access to education. It can also include special education law and broader educational reform initiatives. Lawyers in this field may work for local school districts, dealing with issues like school governance, student records, collective bargaining, and student discipline. They may also work for non-profits and advocacy groups, representing children and families or focusing on policy issues related to educational reform through legislative and advocacy work.
Judicial Clerkships
Judicial clerks are a type of government lawyer who research and draft memoranda and opinions for judges. These positions are often short-term and intellectually stimulating. Recent law graduates may spend a year or two clerking before moving on to other legal careers.
Public Interest Law
Public interest lawyers work for legal-aid societies, which are private, non-profit agencies serving economically disadvantaged people. They may represent clients in landlord-tenant disputes, negotiate child visitation rights, or act as public defenders.
School Administration
Law school graduates may also find careers in the administration of educational institutions. This can include working in development offices for preparatory schools, universities, or other educational organizations.
A law degree, combined with a passion for education, can open up a range of opportunities to make a positive impact in this field.
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Law careers in business
A law degree can open up a variety of career paths in the business world. Here are some options for law careers in business:
Compliance Officer or Manager
Compliance officers and managers work to ensure that companies meet all legal regulations and requirements. They identify risks, communicate with regulatory authorities, train employees on legal rules and requirements, and draft internal policies alongside legal teams. Experience in law is particularly beneficial for compliance officers as they need to interpret complex rules and requirements, especially in highly regulated industries like banking. The national average salary for a compliance manager is $75,297 per year.
Corporate Paralegal
Corporate paralegals assist lawyers by drafting legal documents, designing legal arguments and motions, and gathering evidence and research to develop legal strategies. They also keep track of business laws and regulations, ensuring the lawyers they work with are informed of any important changes or updates. The national average salary for a corporate paralegal is $76,946 per year.
Contract Administrator
A contract administrator handles complex contracts and disputes, helping to settle disagreements over employment, intellectual property, and other areas of business law. While a bachelor's degree is sufficient for this role, pursuing an MBA can be helpful for career advancement, especially when dealing with intricate contracts.
E-Discovery Specialist
E-discovery specialists are responsible for ensuring that legal teams comply with federal regulations on electronic data storage. They also act as liaisons between the legal team, records management staff, and information technology professionals. A bachelor's degree in a field like human resources is typically required for this position, and relevant certifications are available to pursue.
Business Law Lawyer
Business law lawyers represent clients during court cases, attend hearings, trials, and meetings, and conduct research to build cases. They also prepare legal documents for organizations, such as contracts or property ownership agreements, and advise businesses on adhering to legal regulations. To prepare for this career, candidates typically study a range of undergraduate subjects, including economics, business administration, and political science. The national average salary for a lawyer is $93,223 per year.
Entrepreneur or Innovator
A law degree can also be a valuable asset for entrepreneurs and innovators, helping them navigate the legal landscape as they develop and bring their ideas to market. Law school graduates often go on to become CEOs and leaders in various industries, leveraging their legal knowledge to cut through red tape and drive innovation.
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Law careers in real estate
A law degree can open up a variety of career paths in the real estate sector. One of the most common roles for law graduates is to become a real estate lawyer. These lawyers are primarily involved in transactional work, such as drafting, negotiating, and closing deals that facilitate the business of real estate. This includes buying, selling, and leasing land, buildings, housing, and other interests in real estate. They also counsel clients, perform due diligence investigations, and represent clients in court when disputes arise, such as breach of contract, zoning compliance, or foreclosure issues.
Real estate lawyers also work on property development, zoning and land use, environmental compliance, financing, mortgages, securitized real estate investments, and more. They need to be well-versed in the specific real estate laws of the state they are working in, such as landlord-tenant law.
In addition to private practice, real estate lawyers can also work in-house for large corporations, financial services firms, insurance companies, and real estate developers, who often require legal expertise in their day-to-day operations and long-term projects.
Other law careers in real estate include roles such as a real estate analyst, which focuses on commercial real estate transactions, or an acquisition agent, who works on the acquisition of real estate properties. There are also roles in real estate finance, where banks and financial services firms require legal professionals to navigate the complex world of eminent domain and condemnation, especially after the enactment of the Recovery Act in 2009.
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Frequently asked questions
A law degree is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it can also prepare you for various other jobs. Here are some of the careers you can pursue with a law degree:
- Solicitor: Solicitors work in various legal practices, including high street solicitors' practices, which typically offer the widest caseloads covering criminal, family, probate, and business law.
- Barrister: Barristers are often self-employed and work as tenants in a set of chambers. They can also find employment with organisations like the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
- Legislator: A law degree is beneficial for a career in politics and legislation.
- Compliance officer: Compliance officers work internally at businesses and corporations to ensure the company meets all legal regulations and requirements.
- Journalist: A law degree can be useful for journalists, especially when reporting on crimes and political events.
A law degree provides a range of transferable skills, including research, evaluation, and analytical skills, which can be applied to various non-legal careers. Some non-traditional career paths for individuals with a law degree include:
- Real estate agent: Legal experience is beneficial for creating formal deeds and rental agreements.
- Diplomatic agent: Helps develop and maintain positive relationships between countries.
- Contract administrator: Experience in law can be beneficial for working with complex contracts.
- Claims adjuster: Investigates the validity of insurance claims and determines fault.
- E-discovery specialist: Assists legal teams in complying with federal regulations on electronic data storage.
Law school graduates can pursue various career paths beyond the legal profession, including:
- Academia: Teaching and faculty positions in law schools, colleges, and universities.
- Business development: Working in areas such as human resources, finance, and office management within law firms or other businesses.
- Politics: Using their legal knowledge to work as legislative representatives or in other political roles.
- Entrepreneurship: Many law graduates go on to become CEOs and entrepreneurs, leveraging their legal knowledge to navigate regulations and complex contracts.
Gaining relevant work experience is important for law graduates to build their skills and enhance their employability. Some ways to gain work experience in the legal field include:
- Mini-pupillage: A mini-pupillage is the equivalent of an internship or vacation scheme in the Bar. It involves work shadowing over a short period in a set of chambers.
- Vacation placements: Law students can also look for vacation placements or internships in solicitors' firms or other legal organisations.
- Judicial clerkships: Recent law graduates can consider short-term judicial clerkships at the federal or state level, where they research and draft memoranda and opinions for judges.
