Legal Careers

Private Practice

Private practice refers to work in a law firm setting. Law firms range in size from small (2-25 attorneys), to mid-size (26-90), to large (90+). Some law firms are highly specialized, while others may handle a variety of legal areas. Since no two law firms are the same, research firms carefully when considering employment with a firm.

Large firms generally interview 2L students in the fall for summer associates or law clerks who will begin employment the following summer. These firms place a high value on academic achievement, and as a result, good grades are extremely important to obtain one of these positions. In general, the pay is good, and the work load can be demanding.

Small to mid-size firms recruit through on-campus interviews, job postings as well as networking contacts. Students should begin establishing contacts and building relationships in their first year in order to maximize employment opportunities during and after law school. Clerking for a small to mid-size firm provides students with a great opportunity to gain practical legal experience.

Solo Practice

Some students consider “hanging up their own shingle” instead of working for an employer. The costs involved and the time it may take to start to make money may be challenging. Although many graduates “go solo” successfully (particularly if they have a strong client base going in), most practice in a firm first for a while before going solo or share office space and expenses with another attorney. Furthermore, some attorneys find work as Independent Contractors.

Corporations/Business

Many large corporations have their own in-house counsel. Serving as in-house counsel may be a good option for graduates interested in combining a legal career and business career. Typically corporations look for attorneys with several years of experience when recruiting for in-house counsel positions. Part-time students already employed with a large company may be able to move into an in-house counsel position following graduation. Students not already working for a large company may find it more difficult to obtain an in-house counsel position right out of law school.

Other types of businesses offer legal-related positions. Accounting firms, which may require an accounting background or a CPA degree, hire lawyers as consultants in tax and accounting. Banks hire lawyers to work in their trust departments, consumer lending departments, credit departments, and companies are increasingly hiring attorneys to manage human resources. Large insurance companies, hospitals and medical centers may hire lawyers as well.

Federal Government

The federal government is the nation’s largest employer. There are many federal agencies that hire attorneys; many are centrally located in Washington, while others may be at regional offices. Most federal agencies have their own website and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a website for more information. Federal government positions are searchable on http://www.usajobs.gov.

State/Local Government

The state and local government positions are as competitive as the federal level. Hiring is based on need and budget. Most state and local agencies hire in the spring and summer, but there are exceptions. State agencies such as the Ohio Attorney General’s office, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy interview Chase students in the fall and/or spring OCI programs.

Military

Each branch of the military has its own Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps attorneys. JAG Corps attorneys practice in a variety of civil and military cases, and have soldiers, military dependents and the command as clients. JAG Corps attorneys are exposed to the law quickly and may be assigned worldwide. The Judge Advocate General’s Corps from the Army, Air Force and Navy regularly participates in our fall and spring OCI programs.

Judicial Clerkships

A judicial law clerk serves as an assistant to a judge and performs many functions. Clerkships are available in both federal and state courts and at both the trial and appellate levels. The clerk is a member of the judge’s staff and may perform any of the tasks assigned to the judge’s staff, which could include proofreading, editing, legal research, drafting, and citation verification.

Clerking for a federal judge for a one or two year term following graduation is a prestigious position, and the application process is very competitive. Most federal judges hire 3L/4L students in the fall of the final year in law school for clerk positions that begin the following summer/fall. These positions provide a recent graduate great experience, good contacts and, in most cases, a strong recommendation letter from the judge for future positions. State courts, including the state Supreme Courts, hire during a student’s third or fourth year for a clerkship that begins after graduation.

Some students clerk part-time or full-time during the school year with judges and find this experience very rewarding. Generally, judges contact the Career Development Office when these positions become available.

Legal Aid/Public Interest

Legal aid programs assist people who can not otherwise afford legal counsel. Public interest organizations promote the interest of the public in areas such as consumer protection, environmental law, communications, and government responsiveness.

Salaries in the public sector are generally low, caseloads may be heavy, and openings are contingent upon budgets which could change from year to year. However, the personal satisfaction derived from helping others and the extensive legal experience gained are strong incentives to work in the public sector. Additionally, government loan repayment programs may be available for attorneys employed at public interest organizations to help defray the cost of student loans.

Examples of local public interest organizations include the Northern Kentucky Legal Aid Society, The Children’s Law Center of Northern Kentucky, the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, the Hamilton County Public Defender’s office, the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, the Lexington Fair Housing Council, and various non-profit organizations.

Academic

Some law school graduates continue their legal education by pursuing an L.L.M. which is an advanced legal degree (beyond the Juris Doctor degree) concentrating in a specific area. This degree enhances an individual’s ability to teach as a full-time law school faculty member. Law schools also hire lawyers as Adjunct Faculty members.

Other positions likely hiring someone with a J.D. at a law school may include Associate Deans, Admissions Officers, Career Service Professionals, and Law Librarians (which requires an MLS degree). Undergraduate institutions hire law school graduates to teach courses such as Business Law, Legal History, Political Science, paralegal courses, etc.

Non-Traditional Legal Career Opportunities

Some law students do not want to practice law after graduation. There are numerous careers in which having a law degree is beneficial. These positions may be with a corporation, consulting firm, non-profit organization, etc. The skills learned in law school (and from working) can transfer well to may lines of work. A good resource for non-traditional jobs is “What can you do with a law degree?” by Deborah Arron, which is available in the Career Development collection in our school’s law library.