Gavin Howe
There are many different careers in law, from becoming a lawyer to working in law without attending law school. Lawyers can work as solicitors, barristers, prosecutors, civil defence attorneys, advisors, judges, and more. To become a lawyer, you'll need to attend law school, which typically requires an undergraduate degree and passing the LSAT admissions test. However, there are many careers in the legal field that don't require a law degree, such as paralegal, legal assistant, legal consultant, compliance officer, claims adjuster, and lobbying. These careers often involve working directly with legal teams to support trials, solve disputes, and provide legal advice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career paths | Solicitor, barrister, paralegal, chartered legal executive, corporate attorney, employment lawyer, immigration lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, litigation attorney, associate attorney, animal rights lawyer, civil rights lawyer, corporate lawyer, criminal lawyer, prosecutor, district attorney, education lawyer, international lawyer, municipal lawyer, employment and labor lawyer, environmental and natural resources lawyer, family and juvenile lawyer, advertising lawyer, administrative lawyer, admiralty and maritime lawyer, antitrust lawyer, arbitration lawyer, aviation lawyer, banking lawyer, bankruptcy lawyer, compliance attorney, entrepreneur, legal consultant, tax attorney, cybersecurity professional, lobbyist, compliance officer, contract administrator |
| Educational requirements | Undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree, professional qualifications, J.D. degree |
| Key skills | Advocacy, research, critical thinking, analysis, public speaking, commercial awareness, attention to detail, negotiation, drafting |
| Salary range | $61,000 to $148,196 per year |
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What You'll Learn
Paralegals
A paralegal's primary role is to support lawyers by completing tasks such as maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents. They may work closely with one attorney or a team of attorneys. In larger firms, their work tends to be more specialized, while in smaller firms, their responsibilities are more general. Larger firms typically offer more complex tasks and greater career growth opportunities. Paralegals may also take on supervisory roles, such as paralegal manager, director of practice support, or senior paralegal, where they manage legal staff, oversee recruitment and training, and delegate tasks within the legal team.
Specific roles and responsibilities vary based on a paralegal's experience, the type of law firm they work for, the needs of the attorney they work with, and other factors. For example, in litigation, paralegals may help lawyers prepare for trial by researching case law and drafting documents, and coordinating trial logistics, such as transporting exhibits to the courtroom and setting up equipment. In small firms, paralegals may work on all aspects of a case from beginning to end, while in larger firms, they may focus on a particular phase of a case, such as helping to prepare witnesses for deposition or trial.
There are various specializations within the paralegal profession, each focusing on a specific area of the law. For example, bankruptcy paralegals specialize in bankruptcy law, while corporate paralegals specialize in corporate law and may further specialize in areas like patent law, tax law, employment law, or mergers and acquisitions. Criminal law paralegals focus on criminal cases and may work on either side of the legal system, supporting prosecuting attorneys or defense lawyers. Immigration paralegals specialize in US immigration law.
Many paralegals go on to pursue a career as a solicitor, as the role provides a good stepping stone to qualification and satisfies the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) requirement of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).
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Solicitors
A solicitor is a legal practitioner who represents clients in civil and criminal cases. They are specialists in a particular field of law and provide advice and assistance to clients in matters involving the law. Solicitors may be employed by private individuals, corporate bodies, or they may work independently. They help clients with a wide range of issues, from setting up a business to buying a house, and even dealing with healthcare issues.
To become a solicitor, you must study and train for at least six years full time, and competition for training opportunities is high. There are routes to qualifying as a solicitor that do not involve a law degree. For example, you can qualify by completing a solicitor apprenticeship, which takes between three and six years, or by obtaining a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a common route to qualification, which has two parts and requires two years of qualifying work experience.
Once qualified, solicitors can work in-house, in private practice, as a sole practitioner, as a solicitor advocate, or in the judiciary. In-house solicitors work directly for a company or organization and make up over a quarter of the profession. Private practice solicitors offer legal services to various clients, from individuals to businesses, and make up the majority of solicitors in England and Wales. Sole practitioners are self-employed solicitors who run their own practice and make up a small percentage of the profession. Solicitor advocates are highly experienced and can become King's Counsel (KC), taking on more complex cases.
The work of a solicitor can be varied, depending on the area of law they specialize in. They may advise clients on everyday issues, draft and edit contracts, represent clients in court, or provide pro bono services. Research, drafting, organization, and client management skills are important in this role.
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Barristers
In most countries, barristers operate as sole practitioners and are prohibited from forming partnerships or working as part of a corporation. However, barristers often band together into 'chambers' to share clerks and expenses. Some chambers grow to be large and sophisticated. In some jurisdictions, barristers may be employed by firms and companies as in-house legal advisers. In England and Wales, solicitors and chartered legal executives can support barristers in court, for example, by managing large volumes of documents or negotiating settlements outside the courtroom.
A limited number of senior barristers receive 'silk', becoming King's Counsel or Senior Counsel, as a mark of outstanding ability. They are instructed in very serious or complex cases, and most senior judges once practised as KCs or SCs.
To become a barrister, you must complete an undergraduate degree, followed by The Bar Practice Course (BPC), and then secure and complete one year of training as an apprentice (known as being in 'pupillage'). It is an incredibly competitive field, and work may be sporadic in the early stages of a barrister's career.
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Legal consultants
A legal consultant is a skilled legal professional who provides expert advice and guidance on a wide range of legal matters to individuals, businesses, or organisations. Legal consultants do not represent clients in court or provide legal advocacy like lawyers do, but they do help clients make sound legal decisions, understand complex legal issues, and ensure compliance with the law.
Legal consulting offers increased flexibility, the avoidance of court appearances, and the ability to advise clients on complex matters in areas such as business law, financial services, and real estate without the need for traditional litigation. Legal consultants may or may not be licensed attorneys, and they can choose to specialise in a specific area of law or offer a wider range of services.
To become a legal consultant, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a field related to law or your specific area of legal interest. You can choose to become a lawyer first and then transition into legal consulting, or you can become a legal consultant without first becoming a lawyer. However, some clients may question your legal expertise if you don't have a law degree. It is important to continuously educate yourself and stay up-to-date with changing laws and regulations, as well as to build a strong professional network within the legal community.
There are various job opportunities for legal consultants, including positions at law firms, corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organisations. Legal consulting can be a rewarding career choice for those who want to leverage their legal expertise and help clients navigate complex legal matters without the stress of court appearances.
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Compliance officers
The role of a compliance officer is to help organisations manage legal risks by designing, implementing, and enforcing policies and procedures that ensure all business activities comply with legal and regulatory requirements. They may also provide advice, training, and guidance to organisations and individuals on how to meet these requirements. Compliance officers may specialise in specific areas, such as healthcare, data protection, or the environment, where they need a sound understanding of relevant regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Some careers in law that don't require you to be a lawyer include:
- Paralegal/legal assistant
- Legal consultant
- Compliance officer
- Claims adjuster
- Court reporter
- Law librarian
There are many different types of lawyers, including:
- Solicitor
- Barrister
- Associate attorney
- Contracts lawyer
- Corporate lawyer
- Employment lawyer
- Family lawyer
- Advertising lawyer
- Administrative lawyer
- Antitrust lawyer
- Aviation lawyer
- Bankruptcy lawyer
- Compliance attorney
- Construction lawyer
Some careers in law that are similar to being a lawyer include:
- Prosecutor
- Civil defence attorney
- Advisor
- Judge
- Legal writer/contributor
- Document reviewer
