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how hard is it to get a job after you pass the bar exam?
i am interested in a career in legal
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Nancy’s Answer
As someone else said previously, it depends on the law school that you attend, how well you do in school, and the experience you pick up along the way. If you commence studies now it will be difficult to judge what the job market will be when you graduate. If you were graduating today, the job market is wide-open. Those graduating in 2008 did not have the same level of opportunity, so the job market will play a role. Those graduating from a top rated law school will have a better chance at the job market than those graduating from a lower tier, but that does not mean that there are no jobs for those graduating in, say, a 100+ ranked law school. What sets those students apart is their class rank and their job experience. Those students that graduate in the top third of their class and have picked up good internships, clerkships and the like will be interesting to law firms, companies and the government. Specializing in a type of law where it is known that jobs are on the rise will help. That said, it is important to be flexible because a lot of students interests change overtime as well as will the job market. My best advice is to attend law school because you are passionate about the career, not because you think that it might lead to a good job. Passion for the career will be noticed by employers. It will also help in your success in law school. If you do not have this passion now , I suggest you think hard before you take the leap and make the investment in law school. I say this as a practicing lawyer who has hired many young lawyers in the past and as the mother of a young lawyer who did well in law school and is navigating her young legal career.
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Fred’s Answer
Again, I am not a lawyer, but am married to one and know many more.
Most of the lawyers I know got jobs before they passed the bar. Once you graduate, you can assist and work under the supervision of a lawyer. You are limited in what you can do, but it gets you started. The employer will sometimes help you study/get ready for the bar.
Setting that aside, it depends on what you mean. There are many places that will hire new lawyers, but the hours/pay may not be what you want. For example, many new lawyers work either in the circuit/district attorney's office prosecuting cases, or in the public defender system.
If you are brave, you can even hang your shingle and start your very own solo practice. So in some ways, you have a 100% chance of getting a job, if you are willing to hire and work for yourself.
Most of the lawyers I know got jobs before they passed the bar. Once you graduate, you can assist and work under the supervision of a lawyer. You are limited in what you can do, but it gets you started. The employer will sometimes help you study/get ready for the bar.
Setting that aside, it depends on what you mean. There are many places that will hire new lawyers, but the hours/pay may not be what you want. For example, many new lawyers work either in the circuit/district attorney's office prosecuting cases, or in the public defender system.
If you are brave, you can even hang your shingle and start your very own solo practice. So in some ways, you have a 100% chance of getting a job, if you are willing to hire and work for yourself.
Updated
Maria’s Answer
In the US, it should not be too hard. It will be really important to attend a good law school and have good grades of you are applying for large law firms. It is a long path, but there will be many options after ;)
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Richard’s Answer
There are many entry level jobs for attorneys in governments like district attorneys, or legal counsel for different departments. Many insurance companies hire for defense counsel and of course some private firms take in entry level attorneys.