A law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally prepared for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license. A legal license is granted and exercised locally while the law degree can have local, international, and world-wide aspects like in Britain the Legal Practice Course is required to become a British solicitor or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) to become a barrister.
A law degree is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it is not the only path the students can choose, there are many options beyond the legal profession that are available to the students.
Various Job options available for Graduates in Law
Top 3 Lawyer Jobs
- Privacy/Commercial Counsel –
- Employment Practices Defense Attorney (5-10 years)
- Care Coordinator/Care Manage
Jobs directly related to the student’s degree include:
- Barrister
- Barrister’s clerk
- Chartered legal executive (England and Wales)
- Company secretary
- Detective
- Licensed conveyancer
- Paralegal
- Solicitor
- Solicitor, Scotland
Jobs where the student’s degree would be useful include:
- Advice worker
- Chartered accountant
- Civil Service administrator
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Forensic computer analyst
- Human resources officer
- Patent attorney
- Stockbroker
- Trading standards officer
Work experience
Employers value work experience as it can help to demonstrate that the students have the skills that they are looking for. If the students would like to get some work experience that is directly related to the legal profession, then they could do a mini-pupillage. This involves work shadowing that usually lasts for one week in a set of chambers.
Joining the university law society will also be helpful, as well as anything else that gives the students an insight into legal practices and the workings of the law.
If the students would like to consider something outside of the legal profession then work experience in property development, the banking and financial sector, or HR departments in businesses can be useful. Taking on positions of responsibility through student groups provides the good experience.
Graduates in Law typically do the following:
- Advise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters
- Communicate with their clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in the case
- Conduct research and analysis of legal problems
- Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses
- Present facts in writing and verbally to their clients or others, and argue on behalf of their clients
- Prepare and file legal documents, such as lawsuits, appeals, wills, contracts, and deeds
Law Degree Salary
The average annual salary of a lawyer/attorney in the US is about $81,996. According to Payscale.com, depending on the candidates years of experience and which expertise they enter, they can expect a range of $50,000+ to $160,000+ annually.
Law Careers List
While the students have got a law degree, there are careers wherein they don’t necessarily have to be a lawyer. It’s a common misnomer that the students enter careers that directly relates to their undergraduate or graduate degree. So, if the students have a law degree and they don’t want to pursue a law career, then here are some jobs they can do while still making use of their law knowledge.
- E-Discovery Professional
- Legal Nurse Consultant
- Litigation Support Professional
- Paralegal
- Trial Consultant
- Mediator
- Jury Consultant
- Legal Secretary
- Compliance Specialist
- Court Reporter
On the other hand, if the students are looking into using the students’ law degree, then they have also got a lot of options. There are several law degree types so depending on the students specialization, they can enter specialized fields and be an expert lawyer. Furthermore, the students can enter a law firm where their practice can be enhanced. Here are some law specializations that can become careers.
- Bankruptcy Attorney
- Corporate Lawyer
- Civil Rights Lawyer
- Environmental Lawyer
- Family Lawyer
- Health Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Tax Professional
- Patent Attorney
- Barrister
Becoming a Lawyer
Practicing law is difficult as students will have to go through a number of steps to even begin their career. As an individual looking to pursue a law career, they will have to earn a bachelor’s degree and graduate with above average grades to get into law school. Furthermore, the students will have to take the LSAT, then earn their Juris Doctor degree, which is similar to a master’s degree. The students could participate in clerkship to gain some work experience. Lastly, passing the bar examination for the state where they want to practice law. On the other hand, if they are looking to become a paralegal or legal assistant, then they will have to earn an associate’s degree.
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