If you have a law degree, the default career option is to become a lawyer.
However, there are many employment opportunities you can exploit with a law degree.
Here is a look at some of the career options for a person with a law degree:
1. Government Lawyers
Many federal and state governments hire people with law degrees to act as their lawyers.
Some of the agencies you can work for as legal counsel include the Security Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Patent and Trademark Office, the Office of Homeland Security, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
You can also work in the Public Defenders’ office, District Attorney’s office, and the Attorneys General Office as a prosecutor.
2. Judicial Clerkship
Another occupation suited for someone with a law degree is judicial clerkship. Judicial clerkships can be found at the state and federal levels.
Judicial clerks are involved in researching and drafting opinions and memoranda for judges. Many law graduates work as judicial clerks before pursuing their legal careers.
3. Employment Lawyer
With a degree in law, you can also work as an employment lawyer. An attorney can help employers stay compliant with laws, including ensuring they do not discriminate based on color, race, and sex.
Additionally, employment attorneys make sure employees are compliant with state and federal anti-discrimination laws and OSHA guidelines.
Employment lawyers also help employees file claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
4. Public Interest Lawyers
A law degree can also land you a job as a public interest lawyer. These attorneys work for legal-aid societies that serve financially disadvantaged people.
The main characteristic that sets apart public attorneys from other lawyers is their clientele. A public interest lawyer defends clients who cannot afford attorneys and uphold the rights of citizens to have legal counsel.
Some public interest attorneys are consulted by the government on matters regarding international law.
5. Advertising lawyer
Advertising lawyers also possess a degree in law. These lawyers ensure advertisements abide by the legal standards against deceiving and defrauding consumers.
Attorneys who deal in advertising law advise companies on how to deliver convincing sales pitches that observe consumer protection guidelines.
Advertising lawyers are also skilled in handling advertising-related lawsuits.
6. Admiralty lawyer
A law degree also qualifies you to deal with maritime law. This field of law addresses disputes involving ships, boats, and other water vessels.
Admiralty lawyers deal with litigation associated with offshore drilling.
These attorneys mainly handle environmental contamination, crashes, disasters, and class-action lawsuits.
7. Compliance Attorney
Compliance law experts ensure organizations and their workers abide by the legal requirements of their respective industries.
Compliance law attorneys also oversee the implementation of an organization’s policies on ethics, personal conduct, and risk reduction.
Attorneys in the compliance industry help their clients avoid potential legal problems.
8. Environmental Lawyer
If you are concerned about reducing your carbon footprint and protecting the environment from pollution, a law degree will help you pursue a career in environmental law.
An environmental lawyer has skills in interpreting laws and regulations regarding the environment.
An attorney who deals in environmental law works for environment nonprofit companies. Environmental lawyers also work with government agencies.
9. Family Lawyer or Divorce Attorney
With a law degree, you can work as a family lawyer. Family attorneys deal with problems facing children, romantic partners, and family members.
Family law experts also handle cases that affect the family setting. These lawyers help their clients with child custody disputes, divorces, and child support or alimony arrangements.
Family lawyers may also be involved with adoption, paternity, and estate planning.
10. Health Care Lawyer
A healthcare lawyer deals with healthcare law. A law degree will enable you to work for hospitals, pharmaceutical corporations, insurance, and any health care organization in the health care law industry.
Specialists in health care law advise their clients on insurance reimbursement and patient privacy issues.
11. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
You can pursue a career as a mediator with a degree in law. A mediator helps conflicting parties reach a mutual decision.
Mediators can either work in the court system or in the private sector.
In the private sector, a mediator carries out negotiations and does not need to appear in front of a judge. Finance and insurance industries are typical examples of where mediators work.
Mediators do not make any binding decisions. However, their main goal is to help conflicting people reach an amicable solution.
This area of law helps avoid costly and lengthy trials in situations where parties can settle disputes in other ways.
12. Tax Attorney
Tax attorneys use trusts, gifts, and different tax planning tools to ease the burdens of estate and income taxes.
Tax lawyers can also help clients with problems involving lawsuits and business ownership involving the IRS.
Tax lawyers also help businesses understand taxation laws. The average pay for a tax lawyer is $122,960.
In Conclusion
If you have a degree in law, you might be confused about what career to pursue. A law degree opens you up to numerous job opportunities.
Some of these opportunities are law-related, while others are non-legal. You should choose a career that you are passionate about.
In order to make a smart choice, you should consult a career counselor on the most viable options.
