 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
 |
What Can I Do with a Major in...Law? Law
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
AREAS |
EMPLOYERS |
GENERAL INFORMATION |
| CORPORATE PRACTICE |
Any
corporation (largest number of attorneys are at corporate headquarters) |
Corporate
office summer clerkship rare. Usually hire experienced lawyers only; entry level positions are rare. Need tolerance for bureaucratic procedure. |
|
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
|
Most
government branches have legal counsel. Judge advocate general corps for all branches of the military |
Summer
internships somewhat limited and highly competitive. Part-time
employment or volunteer work in government possible. Frequently can go to court and litigate sooner; experience can be valuable to private firms later. Litigate almost immediately; offer 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 emphasized by State and Federal judges;
Federal judges usually require top 10 or 15% class rank. Can be stepping-stone to other legal areas. Many benefits for future legal areas. For US Supreme Court, top law graduates with one-two years clerking at lower Federal Court. Moot Court participation, regional and national competitions helpful. Law review membership, as indication of writing ability, 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
|
Possess
ability to maintain energy and enthusiasm. Service-oriented attitude helpful. Ability to enlist help of others. Clerkship or summer associate position with law firm providing lobbying services helpful. Demonstrate interest in politics through undergraduate major, active campaigning, or research papers/articles. Obtain law firm experience. Acquire superior writing skills. Need pleasing personality, enthusiasm and high energy level. Show ability to work with people, and good communication/organizational skills. |
| 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-sized firms frequently emphasize grades and class rank; value law review & 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 |
Need
supervised work experience in area. Obtain summer internship. Demonstrate a desire to help economically disadvantaged. Show interest in law as a means of change. |
| TEACHING | Law
schools Business schools Undergraduate Departments of History and Political Science Paralegal schools |
Need several years private practice or governmental service. |
| STATE
& LOCAL GOVERNMENT Criminal Prosecution |
District
Attorney's Office Attorney General's Office |
Take essential
courses related to criminal law, criminal procedure,
constitutional law, and evidence. Participate in criminal
clinical program. Obtain summer positions in prosecutor's office or criminal litigation office or private firms practicing criminal law. |
| Civil Law | Attorney
General's Office State agencies, commissions, boards, executive and legislative office staff Corporations Local agencies and commissions City and county law offices |
Deals with broad
range of subjects other than criminal matters, provides for wide
variety of functions. Provides opportunity to work with private lawyers and variety of public officials. Demonstrate interest in public issues. Internship helpful. |
|
OTHER
AREAS PATENT & COPYRIGHT LAW
|
Law
firms (specialized) Corporations U.S. Patent & Trademark Office |
Highly
specialized area. Need technical science or engineering degree. |
| ENERGY
LAW NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL LAW |
Law
firms Corporations Federal agencies (especially Department of Energy) Environmental compliance services companies State agencies Regulatory Commission |
Involves
rights to resources including those in
the earth and dangers in production of energy. Involves
transportation, taxation, patents and government regulation. |
|
FINANCIAL PLANNING/ INVESTMENT BANKING ESTATE PLANNING
|
Bank trust departments Brokerage firms Insurance companies Development offices for preparatory schools, hospitals and universities |
Brokerage
firm positions may be on decline. Insurance "Estate Planning" positions also require interest and ability in sales. Bank trust department positions good for those who do not want to litigate or be confrontational. |
| LEGAL
PUBLISHING/ JOURNALISM |
Legal
publishers Print and electronic media |
Exhibit
interest in writing, research and editing for publishers. For national media, need experience covering the law and/or political "beats." |
| LAW
FIRM ADMINISTRATION |
Private law firms | Handle office management (work flow, etc.) business development, clerk and attorney recruitment, clerkship programs, finances, personnel, etc. |
| LAW
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION |
Law schools | Serve as Deans or Directors of Academics, Admissions, Career Services, Records, Alumni Affairs, Development. |
| LAW LIBRARIANSHIP | Law
firms Law schools |
Masters in Library Science, in addition to law degree, required in some positions. |
Above Information Prepared by the Career Planning
staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(1998)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer
If you have found an excellent website addressing careers in law, please submit it to CDC for possible inclusion on this page.
This page last updated on
October 9, 2003
Email the Webmaster