8 answers
MILA
Student
Ohio City, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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How hard is it to get a job as a lawyer
How hard is it to get a job as a lawyer
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8 answers
Annette Evans
Attorney
5
Answers
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Updated
Annette’s Answer
At this time, the job market for lawyers is very tight. There are jobs out there, but you will likely not be able to meaningfully choose your field of law or practice setting, especially as a new lawyer. Advances in technology (not just AI) have also taken away some of the more traditional gap-filling jobs, such as document review. I encourage you to contact lawyers in the geographic areas you are interested in, both in and out of the fields you are interested in, and ask them for informational interviews to talk about about career prospects and recommendations. You should also consider interning at a law firm or in a legal department, finding a non-lawyer job at one, or exploring law-adjacent jobs to see if you want to become a lawyer or if you find what you're looking for in a related career.
Meghan Meehan Whalen
Risk Management
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Meghan’s Answer
Hi Mila,
A law degree can open many exciting opportunities for you, beyond just becoming a lawyer. I went to law school and practiced as a criminal law clerk for a year. However, I discovered a passion for non-traditional legal careers. I began working in forensic services at a Big 4 firm and now specialize in risk management, collaborating with lawyers every day. My legal education helps me make decisions, write effectively, and negotiate well. The skills you gain in law school are valuable in many fields, not just traditional law roles. Surprisingly, even though I didn't enjoy contracts in school, I now review them daily from a risk perspective!
A law degree can open many exciting opportunities for you, beyond just becoming a lawyer. I went to law school and practiced as a criminal law clerk for a year. However, I discovered a passion for non-traditional legal careers. I began working in forensic services at a Big 4 firm and now specialize in risk management, collaborating with lawyers every day. My legal education helps me make decisions, write effectively, and negotiate well. The skills you gain in law school are valuable in many fields, not just traditional law roles. Surprisingly, even though I didn't enjoy contracts in school, I now review them daily from a risk perspective!
Martha D. Kramer
Corporate Training and Communications
93
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Martha D.’s Answer
Hi, Mila - you may not like this answer, but it depends. To be a lawyer, you have to complete college and law school and pass the bar exam in your state. That could be considered hard to do.
Beyond that, the difficulty of getting a job depends on whether you are looking for a corporate job or if with a firm, the size and prestige of the firm. It might also depend upon the type of law (probably fewer opportunities in environmental law now, but maybe more in AI). Also, it might depend upon other specialized knowledge you might have, such as an engineering or science background. If you are flexible about starting with a smaller firm and open to the type of law, there are probably quite a few opportunities.
Below are two links with further perspectives. I hope this helps and wish you good luck!
BLS - https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm
Similar Career Village question - https://www.careervillage.org/questions/444903/how-hard-is-it-for-a-beginning-attorney-to-get-a-job-at-a-private-law-firm
Beyond that, the difficulty of getting a job depends on whether you are looking for a corporate job or if with a firm, the size and prestige of the firm. It might also depend upon the type of law (probably fewer opportunities in environmental law now, but maybe more in AI). Also, it might depend upon other specialized knowledge you might have, such as an engineering or science background. If you are flexible about starting with a smaller firm and open to the type of law, there are probably quite a few opportunities.
Below are two links with further perspectives. I hope this helps and wish you good luck!
Martha D. recommends the following next steps:
Roger Chance
Risk management attorney
16
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Roger’s Answer
Hi Mila,
The job market has tightened, but as with any profession, making contacts and connections with lawyers (in your case) and learning about what their day to day is, what they would do differently when they were at your stage of your career pursuit, and get their advice. Ask those you talk to if they have any colleagues they could recommend you talk to. That's how you build a network, and those connections are far better than just being another one of hundreds (usually) of applicants they never met for some job posting.
Building those networking skills will serve you well not only finding a job, but through your entire professional career.
The job market has tightened, but as with any profession, making contacts and connections with lawyers (in your case) and learning about what their day to day is, what they would do differently when they were at your stage of your career pursuit, and get their advice. Ask those you talk to if they have any colleagues they could recommend you talk to. That's how you build a network, and those connections are far better than just being another one of hundreds (usually) of applicants they never met for some job posting.
Building those networking skills will serve you well not only finding a job, but through your entire professional career.
Sydney Scheinberg
Tax Attorney
3
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Sydney’s Answer
Hi Mila,
Finding a job as a lawyer can be easier if you focus on how you present yourself and build connections. Many attorneys are looking for help, so there's always a chance to find someone hiring. The more you network and show your strengths, the simpler it becomes to land a job. From what I've seen, there are countless opportunities in the legal field, and connecting with other attorneys can make a big difference.
Finding a job as a lawyer can be easier if you focus on how you present yourself and build connections. Many attorneys are looking for help, so there's always a chance to find someone hiring. The more you network and show your strengths, the simpler it becomes to land a job. From what I've seen, there are countless opportunities in the legal field, and connecting with other attorneys can make a big difference.
Priyanka Goel
Legal Consultant
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Priyanka’s Answer
Hi Mila!
The nice thing about becoming a lawyer is that you have the option to explore many different career paths, despite law school making it seem like working at a firm is your only option; for example you could work in Compliance, Risk, Regulatory, Legal Consulting, and Legal Tech/AI Roles. Being trained as an attorney truly helps you think like one which is very beneficial for law adjacent roles, since these roles work closely with lawyers regularly.
Also, if you decide to become a transactional attorney, you would also have the option to switch into finance based roles since these attorneys work very closely with banks.
So there's lots of options but don't forget to take the time to reflect on what you actually enjoy! Even though most people start their legal careers in a firm, you don't necessarily need to! Hope this helps!
The nice thing about becoming a lawyer is that you have the option to explore many different career paths, despite law school making it seem like working at a firm is your only option; for example you could work in Compliance, Risk, Regulatory, Legal Consulting, and Legal Tech/AI Roles. Being trained as an attorney truly helps you think like one which is very beneficial for law adjacent roles, since these roles work closely with lawyers regularly.
Also, if you decide to become a transactional attorney, you would also have the option to switch into finance based roles since these attorneys work very closely with banks.
So there's lots of options but don't forget to take the time to reflect on what you actually enjoy! Even though most people start their legal careers in a firm, you don't necessarily need to! Hope this helps!
Maryann Vasanthakumar, J.D, M.P.H
HR Professional
10
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Maryann’s Answer
Becoming a lawyer is achievable. First, you'll need a four-year college degree. Start by preparing for the LSAT with practice questions and consider taking a prep course. Your law degree can open doors to various careers, not just traditional law practice. For example, I used mine in HR consulting to help businesses and people. With a law degree, you have many career options.
Cecilia Alondra García Chacón
Lawyer
12
Answers
Chihuahua, Mexico
Updated
Cecilia Alondra’s Answer
Hey, Mila!
Cecilia here from Mexico, as my professional colleague here answered you, it depends of many factors, but I can tell you that if you prepare yourself developing many skills as you can related to Law, volunteer, make internships as much as possible in different areas in Law, in case you haven’t decided which one you are interred or if you already know it, look for it in that area and lead as much as you can and it will help you to fell more in love in your area or maybe consider to change it for other one. Networking is helpful too, this is still kind of hard for me, because I’m an introvert but the passion for my career is stronger than that and I try as much as I can to connect with people and ask them as much as I can or even if there’s a client in that matter I refer it to them, but the last and more important advice I can give you, please: Don’t give up! Keep trying, keep learning, keep knocking doors you will find the one for you, just be patient and always believe in yourself.
Cecilia here from Mexico, as my professional colleague here answered you, it depends of many factors, but I can tell you that if you prepare yourself developing many skills as you can related to Law, volunteer, make internships as much as possible in different areas in Law, in case you haven’t decided which one you are interred or if you already know it, look for it in that area and lead as much as you can and it will help you to fell more in love in your area or maybe consider to change it for other one. Networking is helpful too, this is still kind of hard for me, because I’m an introvert but the passion for my career is stronger than that and I try as much as I can to connect with people and ask them as much as I can or even if there’s a client in that matter I refer it to them, but the last and more important advice I can give you, please: Don’t give up! Keep trying, keep learning, keep knocking doors you will find the one for you, just be patient and always believe in yourself.