Law Majors Guide

What Does it Mean to Study Law?

An individual with a criminal justice degree in law can have a major impact on the lives of others. A law degree allows one to defend a person who has been accused of a crime, offering the chance to right wrongs and defend the Constitution from attacks by individuals, corporations and governments. But those ideals are only a small portion of the actual responsibilities of the profession.

After earning a J.D., you can work as an attorney or as a consultant with a company that more closely represents your personal interests. A graduate with an interest in communications, for example, may choose to work for a media company. Attorneys can work in a small town, a rural area, a big city, or even in another country.

What Does a Lawyer Do?

Think about what a lawyer does and you are likely to picture someone defending a client in a trial. TV would have us believe that this is virtually the only thing a lawyer does. Certainly it is true that a lawyer does represent clients in trial, but even among trial lawyers, the time spent in court represents only a fraction of the work involved. Many lawyers perform a variety of other services that rarely place them in a courtroom.

For instance, the lawyer acts as counsel to the client. To do this, the lawyer must listen to the client and ask questions that extract as much information as possible about the situation at hand. The lawyer must be armed with complete knowledge about the client’s case before the real work even begins. Once the appropriate information has been obtained, the lawyer then advises the client about his or her rights and possible courses of action.

A substantial amount of a time is spent researching the laws involved in the matter, the client’s specific circumstances, and the previous judicial decisions that are likely to have an impact on a case (known as precedents). Depending upon the size of the law firm involved, the individual attorney might handle the research, or it might be conducted by law clerks or by junior partners. Regardless of who does it, the research must be thorough and accurate.

At this point, the real and often unseen “lawyering” begins. Attorneys from both sides meet to begin negotiating, based upon the information obtained during the interview and research processes. This can be the time when the skill and expertise of a lawyer comes to the fore–because the vast majority of legal cases never go to trial. They are either negotiated into a settlement or are dismissed entirely.

When a case does go to trial, a new set of legal skills is involved. Again, the size of the law firm may determine to whom the task is assigned. Trial lawyers require a special set of skills. They must be familiar with courtroom rules and be able to develop an effective strategy for presenting a case. Trial lawyers need to think quickly, speak well, and present themselves with authority.

Law Career Outlook

Employment for lawyers is expected to continue growing for another decade as laws continue to get more complicated. Despite the growth in jobs, however, competition among lawyers is especially keen. Government reports suggest that the employment trend is shifting towards larger law firms and away from individual practices. Anyone looking to open a private practice would do better to look in smaller towns than in metropolitan areas.

Earnings for lawyers can be substantial, in part because of the high cost of attending law school. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual income for lawyers as $114,970 in 2014, but salaries vary according to the employer. Partners in law firms typically earn more than those with a private practice, but solo practitioners enjoy the advantages of being the ultimate boss–choosing how many cases to take and which ones, enjoying a more flexible schedule and workweek, etc.

Planning for a Career in Law

Students should understand the real lifestyle and work habits of lawyers before they make the decision to pursue a career in law. Once they enter law school and are faced with the long hours of study and exhaustive case reviews and analysis, students can become disenchanted with the procedure. However, the rigorous pace of law school can be good practice for the lifestyle of a lawyer, which often includes long days and weekends, plus meticulous attention to detail.

In addition, careers in law are highly competitive. Simply earning a law degree does not guarantee a job as a lawyer. Along with good grades in college courses, a law student needs to build an attractive portfolio to show to prospective employers. Law school applicants should consult with advisers to determine what opportunities are available through the school. Among the criteria law schools use to determine a law school applicant’s admission eligibility are:

• high grades
• Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) results
• a personal statement about why you want to pursue a career in law
• in-depth letters of recommendation from people who know your ability to succeed in law school
• extracurricular activities and work experience that demonstrate leadership qualities

Preparing for a Degree in Law

Few degree programs require more consideration and preemptive planning for the potential student than the Juris Doctor (J.D.), because most law schools are very selective in accepting students. Acceptance to a law school not only requires a bachelor’s degree and a high score on an entrance exam, but also requires the demonstration of skill.

Although undergraduate majors such as political science, history, economics, communication, journalism and philosophy are traditionally associated with law school, the truth is that no single major qualifies or disqualifies a student. Students who major in computer science, music, education, business and other majors are equally welcome in law school as long as they meet the rigorous requirements. The most important assets in law school are being able to think critically and speak articulately.

Law school often builds on and refines skills a student already possesses. Students should consider the following set of skills when considering a degree in law. Students who do not feel particularly strong in one or more of these areas should consider using high school, college, and the workplace to develop them.

Oral communication

Lawyers must speak clearly and persuasively. The ability to listen to others is a fundamental asset for lawyers. Students should consider joining a debate team or a local Toastmasters group to develop these abilities. Students should also pay particular attention when making in-class presentations.

Written communication

Lawyers communicate through writing as much as or more than they do orally. They prepare case studies, briefs, letters, summaries, and much, much more. Although an education in law refines these skills, it is helpful when the student enters the program with a healthy understanding of language and an appreciation for the precision of words. Online degree programs can be particularly helpful in this regard, as they are usually structured in such a way that students must clearly communicate in writing on a regular basis.

Analytical and problem-solving skills

The most beneficial courses for college students hoping to attend law school are those that teach them to “think like a lawyer.” These are classes like philosophy and literary criticism, which focus on critical thinking and creating and evaluating arguments on both sides of an issue.

General research skills

Many classes can be useful for developing this skill, but the best are courses that require well-documented research papers that necessitate the use of a library’s resources. Students should be able to research, analyze, organize, and present the research material in a persuasive manner.

Critical reading ability

Almost any class is useful for improving critical reading abilities, as long as the student carefully and thoroughly reads the material. However, classes that require the reading and understanding of particularly complex materials can be even better, because practicing law requires reading and quickly assimilating large amounts of information.

Organizational and management skills

Lawyers accumulate large and varied amounts of information that must be digested and recalled for later use. Lawyers are often called upon to react quickly; therefore, the ability to organize material for efficient recall is essential. Online business courses can be helpful here.

General knowledge

As with nearly all professions, more knowledge is better. Any number of influences can play a direct role in legal cases. A good working knowledge of topics such as history, economics, psychology, and different cultures can help lawyers be even more effective. A broad perspective in these and other topics can help a student get the maximum benefit from a law degree.

Types of Law Degrees

A law degree is an advanced degree; only students who hold bachelor’s degrees are accepted into law school programs. A Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a passing score on a state bar exam are both required to practice law throughout the United States. Other advanced degrees in law are available but are not required. Those who seek to specialize in a particular area of law may choose to pursue a master’s degree. These are the degrees available in law:

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Law?

The field of law cuts across a broad range of areas that often overlap. Lawyers who work in private practices are most often involved in criminal or civil litigation. Criminal law focuses on individuals charged with crimes, while civil law deals more with wills, mortgages, leases, and other contract matters. Here is a brief breakdown of some common areas of specialty:

• Criminal law. This is the area of law most people envision when thinking about lawyers, because it is what television and movies most often focus on. People who are accused of crimes need lawyers to represent them, just as lawyers are needed by the government to prosecute them. Lawyers even serve as judges and magistrates in such cases. Defense lawyers generally work in private practice or as public defenders. Public defenders are lawyers paid by the government to defend those who cannot afford a lawyer.
• Environmental law. Lawyers who have special knowledge of federal and state regulations are needed on both sides of environmental issues. Environmental lawyers can work for organizations that are trying to protect natural resources and for companies who might be charged with abusing natural resources or violating laws that protect them. Both sides also have interests in affecting the laws that govern the use of natural resources.
• International law. Lawyers in this specialty must have knowledge and skills in areas that involve international relations, trade and commerce, and governments. A lawyer who works in international law must have a thorough understanding of the laws of other countries. Many of these lawyers are employed by multinational companies that have business relations with other countries.
• Underprivileged legal services. Not all lawyers enter the profession for the comfortable income. Many are interested in protecting those in society who cannot afford legal representation or may be otherwise disadvantaged. Many special-interest organizations have been established to help these citizens in need. Some lawyers may work for a specific organization, while others may be employed full-time and donate their time to worthy causes. Often this work is done pro bono (for free). Many major law firms encourage or require their employees to spend a certain amount of their billable hours doing pro bono work.
• Patent law. Attorneys who specialize in patent law seek to prevent people from profiting from the ideas and products that have been developed by others. It is a complicated specialty that requires some educational background in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Large corporations might retain patent lawyers to protect their investments in new products. Constant technological innovations and questions of intellectual property laws are driving this field to expand rapidly.
• Corporate/labor law. Corporations have a variety of problems that require them to have an attorney or a team of attorneys on staff. These attorneys might specialize in labor negotiations, tax law, investment, or other areas. When a corporation decides to make a major business decision, such as merging with another company, the corporation has its team of lawyers check out all the legal implications before proceeding.
• Tax law. This is one specialty that often calls for an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree in tax law. The growing complexity of tax laws means that a corporation needs more than just accountants handling the financial numbers. Tax lawyers must make certain that the company is operating legally before making a tax decision. Many tax lawyers own private practices that serve a variety of clients.

Law Certification and Licensure

The practice of law is regulated at the state level. To practice law in a particular state, one must be a member of the bar of that state, and admission to a state’s bar is not automatic after passing the bar exam. Most states require that the applicant submit to that state’s procedures for verifying character and fitness. An individual might pass the bar exam and still be denied membership due to a past action such as committing a crime. State requirements vary, so students should check with their state bar association for information. For more information on law schools and careers in law, the LSAT, the law school application process, and financial aid information:

• American Bar Association
• Law School Admission Council