Legal Careers
Private Practice |
Solo Practice |
Corporations/Business |
Federal Government |
State/Local Government
Military |
Judicial Clerkships |
Public Interest |
Academic |
Non-Traditional Legal Career
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 in the fall of the year for summer clerks and new associates to begin employment the following summer/fall. Large firms can be very selective, and most hire 2L full-time or 3L part-time students as summer associates with the expectation that the summer associates who perform well will be hired following graduation. In general, the pay is good and the hours are long in a large firm.
Mid-size firms may or may not participate in Fall or Spring OCI Programs. Some make their decisions early, while others wait until later. Clerking for a mid-size firm does not guarantee a full-time job following graduation.
Most firms are small. These firms emphasize the right "attitude" and "fit" when hiring. These firms hire on an as needed basis, which could be anytime during the year.
Some students consider "hanging up their own shingle" instead of working for someone else. Before doing so, students should investigate the costs involved and the time it may take to start to make money. Although some students "go solo" successfully (particularly if they have a strong client base from the beginning), most practice in a firm first for a while before going solo or share office space and expenses with another attorney.
Many large corporations have their own in-house counsel. Serving as in-house counsel may be a good option for students interested in combining a legal career and business career. 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 area, credit departments, and human resources division. Large insurance, hospitals and medical centers may hire lawyers as well.
TopThe 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. Students should research the agencies in which they have an interest carefully. Most federal agencies have their own website and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a website.
NKU Chase subscribes to the Government Honors & Internship Handbook. This is the largest compilation of federal, state and municipal legal internships and post-graduate Honors programs for law students and graduates. There are many post-graduation employment opportunities with federal government agencies that are described in this Handbook (usually called "Honors Program" positions). Students interested in working for the federal government after graduation should review this book for opportunities and note that many opportunities have deadlines in the early fall of their final year of law school. Internship opportunities during law school are also compiled in this Handbook, and again many agencies set application deadlines in the early fall for internship positions. To access the handbook, visit http://www.law.arizona.edu/career/honorshandbook.cfm or contact Bonnie Osborne at osborney1@nku.edu or 859-572-5383 for the username and password.
The state and local levels are as complex 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, as these agencies are also not consistent in their hiring. State agencies that interview students in the fall and/or spring include the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and the Kentucky Attorney General's Office.
Back to TopEach branch of the military has its own Judge Advocate General Corps (which consists of many of the attorneys in that particular branch). JAG attorneys practice in a variety of civil and military cases, and have soldiers, military dependents and the command as clients. JAG attorneys are exposed to the law quickly and may be assigned worldwide. The Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine and Navy Judge Advocate General Corps Offices regularly participate in Fall and Spring OCI. For more information about these Judge Advocate opportunities, please review the brochures available in the Career Development Office.
Back to TopA judicial law clerk serves as an assistant to and at the direction of the 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 researching, drafting, and verifying citations.
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 reference letter from the judge. State courts, including the state Supreme Courts, hire during a student's third or fourth year, for a clerkship that begins right after graduation.
Some students clerk part-time during the school year with judges and find this experience very rewarding. Generally, judges contact the Career Development Office when these positions come available. More information is available at http://www.uscourts.gov/.
Back to TopPublic interest organizations, including legal aid programs which represent people who could not otherwise afford legal counsel, 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.
Examples of public interest organizations include the Northern Kentucky Legal Aid Society, The Children's Law Center of Northern Kentucky, Central Kentucky Legal Services, The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, and the Lexington Fair Housing Council.
Back to TopSome law school graduates continue their legal education by pursuing an LL.M. which is an advanced legal 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 Officer, Career Services Director, and Law Librarian (which requires a MLS degree). Undergraduate institutions hire law school graduates to teach such courses as Business Law, Legal History, Political Science, etc.
Back to TopSome law students prefer not 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 many types of work.
Some non-traditional legal positions include: Auditor; Bank Vice President; Certified Financial Planner; Editor; Entrepreneur; Executive Director of Non-profit Agencies; Investment Banker; Legislative Analyst; Lobbyist; Management Consultant; Politician/Political Advisor; Title Examiner; Trust Officer/Estate Administrator.