Law may be one of the most well-respected careers, but it isn’t always one of the most lucrative or straightforward. There are many options when it comes to the law, and many people have questions about how to get started. Is law right for you? What do lawyers do all day? What are the highest-paying law jobs? In this ultimate guide to law careers, top universities, and courses, we’ll answer all your questions so you can finally decide if the law is the right career path for you.

Why Study Law?

No matter what your future career is, a law degree will open doors for you. Read our guide and find out how studying law can set you up for success no matter what you want to do later on. We’ll tell you about top universities, career options, and more. So if you’re thinking of studying law then keep reading…

 

Choosing A University

Choose a university that best fits your long-term career goals. Many legal firms and companies will look for candidates who have attended a prestigious university, so research which universities are considered prestigious in your desired field. However, it’s also important to ensure that you do enjoy studying at your chosen institution – don’t just go for prestige!

 

Choosing A Degree Course

Applying to top law schools involves careful research into which universities offer a specific degree in your field of interest. If you’re interested in studying law but don’t know which area of law to specialize in, you can use an employment agency to help conduct research and then narrow down your list. However, most employers will want you to have a basic understanding of various fields before taking an entry-level job. Law jobs pay well and usually come with guaranteed lifetime employment once hired by a company.

 

How Much Money Can I Earn?

If you’re not sure how much money you can make in a certain career field after graduation, don’t worry—you aren’t alone. There are all sorts of factors that go into determining exactly how much money you can earn after law school. Salary is one thing—and different professions require different levels of education and experience to get off on your feet—but the salary isn’t everything.

 

Careers In Law

If you are interested in law, there are many attractive careers to choose from!

1. Lawyer

Lawyers are one of the most sought-after professionals in the world. If you have a passion for law and want to be part of this profession, then choosing a career path as a lawyer can be an exciting decision. Many different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Below is some information about some of the most popular types of lawyer careers:

Corporate Lawyer: Corporate Lawyers work for companies or businesses and help them with legal issues. They may provide advice on how best to handle certain situations, or they may draft contracts or agreements that are needed by their clients. They may also work with teams on mergers and acquisitions, as well as help companies raise capital through initial public offerings (IPO).

Environmental Lawyer: Environmental Lawyers specialize in helping clients manage natural resources like oil or water, as well as protecting people’s health from pollution caused by factories or cars. An environmental lawyer might also help clients resolve disputes between neighbors over land use rights, such as building houses near lakes or rivers that could affect wildlife habitats nearby.

Family Lawyer: A family law attorney provides legal representation for couples who are going through divorce proceedings; they also represent children who need protection from abuse.

 

2. Attorney at law

An attorney at law is a person who practices law. In most common law jurisdictions, including England and Wales and most of those in the Commonwealth and United States (excluding Louisiana), two paths of qualification lead to being recognized as an attorney: education or apprenticeship. Requirements for becoming a lawyer vary widely throughout different jurisdictions, but legal education is generally required.

 

3. Prosecutor

In some states prosecutors are elected by district; in others, they are appointed. Either way, becoming a prosecutor will generally require at least one year of post-bachelor’s experience in criminal justice. During law school, students can pursue an internship with a prosecutor’s office to gain some experience before making a career switch. The typical pay for a prosecutor is between $60K and $100K per year.

 

4. Judge

The legal profession encompasses all jobs within the legal system of a country. This includes work in law firms, and government and public sector jobs such as judicial posts and police officers. Even those not directly involved in litigation may help with research or provide support for those who are. Some lawyers also specialize in particular areas of law (known as ‘areas of practice’). For example Banking; Intellectual Property; Tax; Criminal Law etc.

 

5. Legal assistant

A legal assistant is a personal assistant to one or more lawyers. The duties of a legal assistant may vary widely by the employer and by country but generally include responsibilities such as maintaining client files and handling filing with government bodies. In many countries, a law degree is required to become a paralegal or legal assistant; other countries do not require such study. Legal assistants may be licensed attorneys themselves in some jurisdictions.

 

6. Legal Secretary

Often regarded as an entry-level position within law firms, a legal secretary is responsible for taking dictation and correspondence between lawyers and clients. In today’s digital world, many legal secretaries use computers to take notes during face-to-face meetings. Depending on your level of experience and education, you can expect a salary ranging from £22k to £40k per year.

 

7. Paralegal

People often confuse paralegals with legal assistants. The truth is that paralegals are much more well-trained and experienced than legal assistants. Paralegals work on more complex cases and are involved in research-intensive jobs that involve dealing with judges and lawyers. They can do pretty much anything a lawyer can do, except plead a case before a judge or jury.

 

8. Solicitor

Being a solicitor is a prestigious career that requires hard work and dedication. Solicitors need to be logical thinkers and good communicators. A great way for aspiring solicitors to get ahead of their peers is to take a law degree at one of our top universities. A law degree will equip you with everything you need to succeed in your career as a solicitor.

Qualifications For Becoming A Solicitor

A law degree can take between three and four years to complete. However, some aspiring solicitors decide to follow a two-year sandwich course between their studies. The main entry requirement for these courses is usually a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a subject unrelated to law. Specific academic requirements vary slightly across different institutions but are usually set at a 2:2 or 2:1 standard.

 

9. Barrister

Although not all barristers are lawyers in England and Wales, they all must be members of one of four Inns of Court. Barristers often begin their careers in a law office or at an administrative post with a government agency before applying to one of these inns. The next step is to complete pupillage at a firm for training. Then you can become qualified as a barrister by being called to the bar at one of the courts in London.

 

Life After Graduation

The best way to kick-start your career is to get some experience under your belt. If you’re fresh out of school, that might be working at a law firm or in-house department of a larger corporation—or taking on a position in government or non-profit. The only caveat here is that while you want to build as much practical experience as possible before you graduate, finding something that fits your fancy may take some time.

 

Conclusion

Law is one of the most in-demand career paths with massive growth annually. It is a competitive field, but it is also diverse and offers multiple routes to success through specialized training, experiential learning, quality networking, and dedicated mentorship. Studying law is a rewarding and challenging journey, but through hard work and careful planning, you can progress to a successful career as an advocate or solicitor in several different practice areas. Jobs are available both in the private and public sectors and the salaries offered mean that those with a law degree have one of the most lucrative careers open to graduates. This guide has offered you a great deal of information about how to choose a law school and career in law. You should now be able to make an informed decision about which path you will follow in pursuit of your professional goals.