Law

Career Programs and Student Development

Explore - What Can I Do with This Major?

Law

Return to Major/Minor Page

Links to related Web Sites are listed at the bottom of this page.

AREAS

EMPLOYERS

STRATEGIES

CORPORATE PRACTICE

Any large corporation (largest number of attorneys are at corporate headquarters)

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

Most government branches have legal counsel
Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps for all branches of the military

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

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

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

Corporations
Trade and professional associations
Political Action Committees
Law firms
Public interest advocacy groups

Congressional representatives at national, state, and
local government

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

Large multi-office firms
Medium-size firms
Small firms
Legal clinics
Other private legal services

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

Legal Services Corporation
Legal Aid Society
Federal, state & local government
Private groups contract

Nonprofit and public interest organizations
Law firms practicing public interest law

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 non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of people.

TEACHING

Law schools
Business schools
Undergraduate departments of History and Political
Science
Paralegal schools

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 & LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
Criminal Prosecution

Civil Law

District Attorney's Office
Attorney General's Office

Attorney General's Office
State agencies, commissions, boards,
executive and legislative office staff
Local agencies and commissions
City and county law offices

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 & COPYRIGHT LAW

Law firms (specialized)
Corporations
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

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

Law firms
Corporations
Federal agencies (especially Department of Energy)\
Environmental compliance services companies
State agencies
Regulatory Commission

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

Bank trust departments
Brokerage firms
Insurance companies
Development offices for preparatory schools,
hospitals and universities

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

Legal publishers
Print and electronic media

Exhibit interest in writing, research, and editing for
publishers.
For national media, gain experience covering the law and politics.

LAW FIRM
ADMINISTRATION

Private law firms

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

Law schools
Universities and colleges

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

Law firms
Law schools

Masters in Library or Information Science, in addition to a law degree, may be required for some positions.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
• 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 G.P.A. 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.

Click here for a print-friendly PDF