Pros and Cons of a Career in Law
The field of law includes many careers that deal with the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Among the careers available in law are lawyer, paralegal and judge. Use the following chart to compare pros and cons of these career paths:
| Lawyer | Paralegal | Judge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Overview | Lawyers advocate for and advise clients in legal matters. | Paralegals assist attorneys by conducting research and providing administrative support. | Judges preside over legal cases in court. |
| Education Requirements | Juris Doctor (JD) degree | Associate's degree | Juris Doctor (JD) degree |
| Program Length | Seven years full-time, including bachelor's degree | Two years full-time | Seven years full-time, including bachelor's degree |
| Additional/Other Training | None required | None required | Orientation required for judges at all levels, many positions are elected or appointed |
| Certification and Licensing | License required in all states. | Voluntary certification is available. | License to practice law is required for most positions. |
| Experience Requirement | N/A | One or more years of industry experience is generally preferred. | Experience practicing law is generally required. |
| Job Outlook for 2012-22 | Average growth (10%)* | Faster than average growth (17%)* | Little to no growth (1%)* |
| Median Salary (2014) | Roughly $114,970* | Roughly $48,350* | Roughly $115,140* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Lawyer
Lawyers, also called attorneys, give advice to clients regarding legal matters and represent them in court. In this career, you may work for individuals, represent businesses or be employed by the government. You'll conduct research, interpret laws, file documents and argue on behalf of your clients in court. Most attorneys specialize in a certain area of law, such as environmental, business or family law. Long working hours often come along with the job. You can expect to work in office settings while also traveling to client homes, jails, courthouses and other locations.
Requirements
To become a lawyer you'll need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a license to practice law in your state. Most JD programs require a bachelor's degree and an acceptable score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) for admittance. No specific major is required to enter a law program, but the BLS recommended taking undergraduate classes in public speaking, economics, English and government.
When researching law schools, look for those accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The BLS reported that eligibility for most bar exams includes holding a law degree from an ABA-accredited school. JD programs typically take three years of full-time study to complete. Courses cover civil procedures, legal writing and various types of law, such as criminal, property and estate law.
Following graduation from law school, you must pass your state's bar exam to become licensed. You may also need to pass the National Conference of Bar Examiners' (NCBE) Multistate Bar Exam. The state bar also conducts an evaluation of your character and moral fitness to determine if you will be admitted to the bar. After becoming a licensed attorney, you must stay abreast of changes in the legal field. Continuing education was required by 45 states in 2011, according to the BLS.
In December 2012, employers sought the following:
- An Illinois insurance company advertised for an attorney to provide in-house counsel. Applicants needed experience representing financial institutions, bankruptcy knowledge, strong written and verbal communication skills and a customer-focused approach to business.
- A construction and surety law firm in Georgia sought a lawyer with three or more years of experience in civil litigation, strong academic credentials and analytical skills.
- A bank in Washington D.C. advertised for an attorney with financial expertise to advise bank staff members, draft documents, negotiate on behalf of the company and deliver presentations.
Standing Out
Taking advantage of any extracurricular learning opportunities your law school offers can be beneficial to future employment. You may be able to enter competitions, join student law clubs or contribute to your school's law journal. These experiences can give you additional opportunities to apply your skills as well as network with peers and law professionals. When researching law schools, look for those that offer some of these opportunities in the specific field you would like to focus your law career, such as human rights or environmental issues.
You can expand your career possibilities and attract employers by becoming licensed in more than one state. The BLS reported that competition is intense for lawyer positions, and you can increase your prospects by being willing to relocate. For this reason, it may benefit you to take the bar exam in more than one state.
Paralegal
Paralegals assist attorneys in a variety of ways. They perform research, organize files, draft documents and provide assistance during trials. Job duties can vary based on the size and specialization of your employer. Paralegals working in small law offices often provide assistance throughout the entire legal process, while those in larger firms are likely to specialize in only one phase or area. Most paralegals work full-time for law offices or company legal departments, but some work on a temporary basis during busy times.
Requirements
The most common way to become a paralegal is to earn an associate's degree in paralegal studies, although bachelor's degree and certificate programs are also available. Coursework for the associate's degree program covers legal analysis, research, contracts, civil litigation and various types of law. Certificate programs are generally recommended for individuals who already hold bachelor's degrees in unrelated fields. Many of these programs include internships so you can gain professional experience in a law setting.
In December 2012, some paralegal employers were looking for the following:
- A law firm in Chicago sought a paralegal specializing in immigration to assist attorneys, conduct research and maintain the docket system.
- A Pittsburgh law firm sought an intellectual property paralegal to prepare documents, draft correspondence, track patents and handle portfolio transfers. Qualified candidates had undergraduate degrees and experience with docketing software.
- A San Francisco law firm was seeking a litigation paralegal with seven or more years of experience in trial preparation, e-discovery, commercial litigation and court filings.
Standing Out
You can stand out as a paralegal by becoming proficient in a specific area. For example, if you intend to work in corporate law, you can benefit from having expertise in business. You can also earn voluntary certification. Many organizations award certifications to qualified paralegals, such as the Association for Legal Professionals and The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. In order to sit for certification exams, you must typically meet education and/or experience requirements, which varies for each organization.
Judge
Judges work in local, state and federal courts to oversee the legal process. They perform research, hear arguments and enforce the rules of court. In this position, you'll review and compose documents, oversee trials from beginning to end and interpret and apply laws. Depending on the size and type of court you oversee, you may need to make rulings or instruct jurors. You'll work in the courtroom and spend time in an office organizing cases and conducting research.
Requirements
For most judgeships, you'll need a law degree and experience practicing law as a licensed lawyer. Some state administrative law judges don't have to be lawyers, but all federal administrative law judges do. Additionally, federal administrative law judges must pass the U.S. Office of Personnel Management exam.
To obtain a judgeship, you typically have to be elected by the public or appointed. In most positions, you would serve for a specified number of years unless you obtain a judgeship that serves a lifetime term. Once you're elected or appointed, you can expect to undergo an orientation in judicial education. In many states, judges must complete continuing education while serving their terms.
In December 2012, a few employers sought some of the following requirements:
- In an Arizona city, the city council wanted to appoint a city judge to a two-year term in order to oversee cases pertaining to misdemeanors and criminal and civil traffic and code violations. Applicants needed at least five years of experience, extensive legal knowledge and strong communication skills.
- A North Dakota tribal court sought a chief judge with a law degree, strong moral integrity, a clean criminal record and good standing with the American Bar Association.
- A New Jersey court of appeals sought a bankruptcy judge for a 14-year term. Applicants needed five years of legal experience and to be in good standing with the bar of at least one state's highest court.
Standing Out
You can stand out as a judge nominee through your reputation and experience practicing law. Because many positions are elected, being able to demonstrate a record of success and justice can make you stand out to your constituents. You can also stand out by specializing in a specific field. For example, if you focus your law career in criminal law, you may be more likely to find employment as a judge in a criminal court.
