What can I do with this degree?
LAW
CORPORATE PRACTICE
EMPLOYERS
Any large corporation (largest number of attorneys are at corporate headquarters)
STRATEGIES
Corporate office summer clerkships and entry level positions are rare. Usually only experienced lawyers are hired by corporations. Develop tolerance for bureaucratic procedure. An undergraduate major in business, particularly accounting or finance, is helpful.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYERS
Most government branches have legal counsel
Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps for all branches of the military
STRATEGIES
Get involved with an internship or co-op program with the federal government to get a foot in the door. New lawyers frequently go to court and litigate sooner; experience gained here can be valuable to private firms later. Government work offers a variety of practice opportunities from criminal to contracts.
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS
Federal court
State court
EMPLOYERS
Federal Courts of Appeal and District Court (trial)
Judges and magistrates
Bankruptcy and administrative law judges
State Courts of Appeal and Trial Level
judges
Federal and State Court Clerkships for collective judges in a court
STRATEGIESS
High academic achievement is emphasized by State and Federal judges; Federal judges usually require top 10% or 15% class rank. Clerkships can be a stepping-stone to other legal areas and provide many benefits for future career opportunities. For U.S. Supreme Court, applicants must be top law graduates with one to two years clerking at lower Federal Court. Moot Court participation in regional and national competitions is helpful. Law review membership, as an indication of writing ability, is highly valued and emphasized at all court levels.
POLITICS
Lobbying/government relations
Legislative Positions
EMPLOYERS
Corporations
Trade and professional associations
Political Action Committees
Law firms
Public interest advocacy groups
Congressional representatives at national, state, and local government
STRATEGIES
A service-oriented attitude is helpful. Learn to enlist the help of others. Clerkship or summer associate positions with law firms providing lobbying services provide good experience. Demonstrate an interest in politics through your undergraduate major, active campaigning, or research papers/articles. Obtain law firm experience. Acquire superior writing skills. Develop a pleasing personality, enthusiasm, and high energy level. Show ability to work with people and good communication and organizational skills. Consider earning a Master's of Public Administration.
PRIVATE PRACTICE
EMPLOYERS
Large multi-office firms
Medium-size firms
Small firms
Legal clinics
Other private legal services
STRATEGIES
Acquire excellent research and writing skills. Obtain clerkships or internships. Large and medium-size firms frequently emphasize grades and class rank and value law review and moot court experience.
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW
Legal aid services
Public defender offices
Public interest groups
EMPLOYERS
Federal, state, and local government
Private groups contract
Nonprofit and public interest organizations
Law firms practicing public interest law
STRATEGIES
Gain supervised work experience in an area through summer internships. Demonstrate a desire to help the economically disadvantaged and show an interest in law as a means of change. Volunteer for nonprofit organizations that serve a wide range of people.
TEACHING
EMPLOYERS
Law schools
Business schools
Undergraduate departments of History and Political Science
Paralegal schools
STRATEGIES
Obtain several years of experience in private practice or government agency. The LLM degree and an outstanding academic record are required for law school teaching. Teaching allows for more flexibility of time. Some lawyers teach on an adjunct basis.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Criminal prosecution
Civil law
EMPLOYERS
District Attorney's office
Attorney General's office
State agencies, commissions, boards, executive, and legislative office staff
Local agencies and commissions
City and county law offices
STRATEGIES
Take essential courses related to criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, and evidence. Participate in a criminal clinical program. Obtain summer positions in a prosecutor's office or a criminal litigation office or private firms practicing criminal law. Civil law deals with a broad range of subjects other than criminal matters and provides for a wide variety of functions including the opportunity to work with private lawyers and a variety of public officials. A demonstrated interest in public issues and completion of related internships are helpful.
PATENT AND COPYRIGHT LAW
EMPLOYERS
Law firms (specialized)
Corporations
U.S. Patent & Trademark office
STRATEGIES
This highly specialized area usually requires technical, science, or engineering degree. These lawyers help protect clients' claims to copyrights, inventions, software, etc.
ENERGY LAW, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
EMPLOYERS
Law firms
Corporations
Federal agencies (especially Department of Energy)
Environmental compliance services companies
State agencies
Regulatory Commission
STRATEGIES
This area involves rights to resources including those in the earth and dangers in production of energy as well as transportation, taxation, patents, and government regulation. An undergraduate major in environmental science, agriculture, engineering, or science may be good preparation.
FINANCIAL PLANNING, INVESTMENT BANKING, ESTATE PLANNING
EMPLOYERS
Bank trust departments
Brokerage firms
Insurance companies
Development offices for preparatory schools, hospitals, and universities
STRATEGIES
Insurance "estate planning" positions require interest and ability in sales. Bank trust department positions are good for those who do not want to litigate or be confrontational. An undergraduate major in accounting or finance may be helpful.
LEGAL PUBLISHING/JOURNALISM
EMPLOYERS
Legal publishers
Print and electronic media
STRATEGIES
Exhibit interest in writing, research, and editing for publishers. For national media, gain experience covering the law and politics.
LAW FIRM ADMINISTRATION
EMPLOYERS
Private law firms
STRATEGIES
Handle office management (e.g. work flow), business development, clerk and attorney recruitment, clerkship programs, finances, and human resources in a law firm.
HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION
EMPLOYERS
Law schools
Universities and colleges
STRATEGIES
Serve as a Dean or Director of Academics, Admissions, Career Services, Records, Alumni Affairs, Development, etc. in law schools. Work in judicial affairs, pre-law advising, or other undergraduate student support services.
LAW LIBRARIANSHIP
EMPLOYERS
Law firms
Law schools
STRATEGIES
Masters in Library or Information Science, in addition to a law degree, may be required for some positions.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Students interested in attending law school may choose any major of interest. Some undergraduate majors can help prepare students for a particular area of law, e.g., a B.S. in environmental science for a career in environmental law.
- Develop strong research and writing skills. Enhance communication skills through public speaking courses, debate team, or Toast Masters (a public speaking organization).
- Maintain a high GPA to increase chances of gaining admission to law school.
- Join Phi Alpha Delta professional association.
- Find part-time jobs or internships in law firms or government agencies to reality-test your interest in law and to gain relevant experience.
- Prepare for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) which is required by all law schools.
- Secure strong personal recommendations from professors.
- Participate in mock trial, student government, student judiciary boards, and other related organizations.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer
January 2007