Last Updated March 2022 by Crystallace
Hey there!
So you’re looking for careers you can do with a law degree. Oh that expensive law degree.
Most people attend law school with the goal of becoming a lawyer. But sometimes they find out practicing law isn’t what they thought it would be or maybe passing bar results aren’t in the near future. One harsh truth about law school is that you are not guaranteed a cushy six figure job after graduation.
For most of us, the job market is just scarce but we refuse to let this expensive degree go to waste.
So until the government comes to term with the student loan debt crisis, we have to find a way to pay these bills. So if you fall into one of those categories that I mentioned above, here are
20 Careers You Can Do With a Law Degree…That Don’t Require a Bar Card
1. Software Representative
If you are good with computers, (if you are a Millennial you should be), being a software rep. may be good for you. I’m sure you remember seeing Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg reps. in law school.
In the legal world there are those three, plus the tons of law practice software management companies. These companies are always looking for affiliates or reps. to get their product out there and troubleshoot for their customers.
2. Legal Recruiter
This is human resources for the legal world. If you want to help others find their fit in the legal profession you could work as a recruiter for a law firm or staffing agency.
Teaching Careers You Can Do With a Law Degree
3. Undergraduate Professor
If you have a love for teaching but you don’t have any interest in teaching law, you could teach at the Undergrad level. One of the advantages of undergrad teaching is that you have flexibility.
A lot of colleges and universities administer courses online. You could start with whatever your undergrad degree is in and look for opportunities in that subject area. If your degree is less specific, you could look for opportunities in the Liberal Arts and Humanities like Philosophy or English.
4. Law School Professor
If you love legal research and writing then a cushy full-time, tenured position may be in your future. But until you get those years of experience under your belt you could start by teaching as an adjunct at a law school.
These courses typically aren’t doctrinal but they can give you a feel for the profession. Also, you would have the responsibilities of a professor like lecturing, grading papers, and holding office hours.
5. Paralegal Instructor
If you love teaching others about the skills and practice side of the law, you should consider being a paralegal instructor. This would be another flexible teaching option since most programs are either online or at local community colleges.
6. Screenwriter
If you like Hollywood then screenwriting can be a creative outlet for you. Your law degree qualifies you to be a consultant for law-related shows and movies. Sometimes, writers need a pair of legal eyes for accuracy of scripts.
Who knew one of the careers you can do with a law degree could take you to Hollywood?
7. Healthcare Compliance
Healthcare companies often hire risk management personnel to review their internal compliance rules and manage onsite events. This is a field I have worked in personally. It offers a 9-5 with benefits and doesn’t carry the stress of being someone’s lawyer. Highly recommended.
8. Non Profit Executive
Medium to Large sized non-profit organizations often have lawyers at their senior level. These roles are typically not practice inclusive and don’t require a bar license. These roles are great resume boosters and often start as volunteer positions but with experience can easily turn into a paid position.
Best jobs with law degree
9. Banking Compliance
Banks have substantial regulatory requirements for which they have a robust in-house team to help them manage.
10. Trust Officer
Independent trust companies and banks often have trust departments with fiduciary roles. You don’t have to be a J.D. for these positions but the people in them usually are. In my Estate Planning days I worked with lots of trust officers. It is a cushy job and they love it. I think this is one that is overlooked by a lot of J.D.’s.
More Careers You Can Do With a Law Degree That Don’t Require a Bar Card
11. Law Librarian
If you like the in’s and out’s of the legal code being a librarian might be for you. Although, libraries are becoming less common, there is the ongoing need for the management of legislative history and public records.
12. Journalist
A lot of news that’s reported focuses on the law. This includes celebrity lawsuits and arrests, legal issues, new laws being proposed, old law being overturned, and the latest in government. If you like to write, then journalism can be for you.
What can you do with a law degree besides be a lawyer?
13. Arbitrator
A arbitrator is a third party that oversees disputes. They listen to the facts, interview parties and witnesses then, propose a resolution. If you want to be a legal referee then this is for you.
14. Author
Being an author is one of the most rewarding things you can do. You can share your law school experience, experiences with clients, problems in the justice system, getting into law school, the possibilities are endless.
With self publishing being low cost and a DIY process, you are closer to those royalties than you think.
Interesting jobs with a law degree
15. Blog Writer
This is one of my favorite careers you can do with a law degree for obvious reasons. Every lawyer wants a blog but no lawyer has time to write it. This is where you come in. You can write blog articles and sell them or get hired to write for a firm on an on-going basis. There is a lot of work in this field. I do this and I enjoy it.
To get started, open a freelancer account on Fiverr or upwork.
16. Legal Marketing Consultant
Have you ever heard those trap legal commercials on the radio and thought you could’ve done better on the beat? If you have a background in marketing this field ideal for you. You can help firms find their potential clients by making their services known.
Low stress jobs with law degree
17. Social Media Manager
Social Media is its own beast. I often hear of attorneys wishing for more social media presence. They can’t find the time to have the presence they want and they can’t just let anyone takeover because of professional responsibility of the information you put out there. Being a social media guru and lawyer makes you a go-to solution.
18. Agent
If you have a good understanding of contract law and you like to network, consider being an agent. You can work in industries like sports, entertainment, literary, etc. Insuring that your client gets the best deal possible can be very rewarding and lucrative.Â
Alternative jobs for JD degree
19. Law School Admissions Consultant
As long as law schools are open, how to get into a good one will always be a business. Now that you have successfully applied to, attended, and graduated law school, you can show others the ropes, and make a couple of bucks doing it. Check out Jas Talks Law.
20. Lobbyist
If you have some political ties and would like to be a voice for a group of people or a business. Being a lobbyist is a way you can effect change on a greater scale.
Being a lobbyist is probably one of the most impactful careers you can do with a law degree aside from being lawyer.
Graduating from law school can be grim if the perfect job or bar results don’t line up for you. But now that you have the law degree look at the glass as half full.
If you’re currently in the market for a new job, check out this blog post.
BTW, are you following me on socials? Let’s keep in touch! I’m on Pinterest, IG, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok
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