What Jobs can you get with a Law Degree? – Job Description And Resume Examples

This post provides detailed information on some of the best jobs you can get with a law degree, including the duties they commonly perform.

If you are thinking of taking a law degree program and need an answer to “What jobs can you get with a law degree?” question that many students usually ask before you make up your mind on it, then this post will be useful to you.

It highlights what you can do with a law degree, including a short description of the jobs, and the expected salary for careers in the law profession.

Why Law Degree?

The law profession is arguably one of the most controversial career paths to take. Some people are of the train of thought that lawyers are shrewd and opportunistic individuals who never really care about justice.

Jean Giraudoux in attestation to the fact quoted, “Lawyers are those who lie, conceal, distort everything, and slander everybody’.

In his description of lawyers, Henry Brougham characterized them as learned gentlemen who rescue your estate from your enemies and keep it themselves.

Such is the outlook of some people to the law profession whereas some others consider the law vocation an honorable career that ensures fairness and equity.

However, it is essential to note, in spite of which side you are on, that lawyers are among the most adaptable and resourceful individuals with loads of skills that find relevance in a wide range of fields, such as the legal field, law firm, law enforcement agencies, business organizations, journalism, consultancy, and education.

Getting a law degree furnishes an individual with the ability to process complex information/argument and reach a logical conclusion.

It provides clear/effective communication skills and the ability to work effortlessly with others.

Among other things, a law degree provides a job of high repute and financial comfort.

The law profession is known to be a very lucrative career with lawyers earning as much as $115,820 annually according to a recent BLS report.

This has contributed immensely to the popularity of the course among undergraduates as a law degree ranks second most popular college degree in the U.K and sixteenth most popular college degree in the U.S according to The Telegraph and MatchCollege respectively.

What can you do with Law Associate’s Degree?

In pursuance of a legal career, students often enroll for a 2-year Associate’s degree study; a time and cost effective program that exposes them to the basics of legal studies and practices.

They learn about the laws of the constitution, criminal laws, land laws, as well as gaining knowledge of the legal system, values and system.

An Associate’s degree in law positions the graduate for various jobs, including:

Legal Assistant: They support attorneys by organizing case files ensuring proper documentation; they maintain communication with clients as well as monitoring their case progress; and they prepare case materials, evidences, exhibits, witnesses, ensuring their readiness for trial proceedings. Part of the legal assistant duties involves scheduling appointments, drafting complaints, and forwarding subpoenas.
Corporate Paralegal: They aid in the organization of corporate documents such as stock certificates and articles of incorporation. They assist with legal research, drafting of contracts, and creation of annual reports and activities that relate to the maintenance and dissolution of businesses.
Court Clerk: They provide attorneys with advice as pertains to judicial procedures and legal insights of a case; they ensure seamless court proceedings and conformity to court conventions. They also perform administrative duties of fixing hearing schedules.

The salary of law Associate’s degree holders is pegged at an annual median of $85,000 according to Payscale.

What can you do with a Law Bachelor’s Degree?

Bagging a Bachelor’s degree in law with the accompanying license to practice opens doors to various career and job opportunities within and outside the legal field.

As a lawyer, you are qualified for job positions as:

Barrister: They provide advocacy services to clients, representing them in a law court. They provide legal advice to their clients as pertains a case; they prepare for cases by conferencing with clients and preparing legal arguments; looking out for exhibits/evidence, witnesses and every other requirement needed to win a case in court.
Compliance Officer: They aid companies and organizations to maintain complete adherence to national/international rules and regulation when carrying out their business operations. They utilize the knowledge of business law as well as that of the company to proffer professional advice as pertains to legal business dealings, and accepted business practices and standards. See detailed compliance officer job description.
Patent Attorney: They evaluate inventions to determine if they are original and innovative enough to be granted patent. They utilize their knowledge of intellectual property law to proffer advice to inventors as to how to obtain patent for their product.
Solicitor: They provide professional legal advice to clients on how best to go about a legal action ranging from personal issues to commercial controversy and rights infringement.
Judge: They specialize in the management and supervision of court proceedings. They oversee a legal process to ensure fair trial.

The salary of licensed legal practitioners varies according to the field of practice, but on average they are estimated to earn up to $115,820 annually.

What can you do with a Law Master’s or Doctorate Degree?

Going for further studies in Law, such as obtaining a Master’s degree or Ph.D. provides a competitive edge to overcome the tough job market.

With a Master’s/Doctorate degree in Law, you can secure job positions as:

Entertainment Lawyer: They deal with issues pertaining to copyright, intellectual property, and trademarks.
International Law Attorney: They provide expert advice as relates to immigration, global competition, and political asylum.
Tax Attorney: They utilize their knowledge of tax codes in proffering professional advice to clients on issues bothering on property, gift, and state taxation.