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Law school isn’t for everyone, but if law is still your dream career field, read on to find out more about careers in law without being a lawyer.
The process of becoming a lawyer is extensive.
You’ll need to complete a four-year bachelor’s while maintaining a high GPA and be constantly involved with your local and school community. You’ll then have to apply to competitive legal programs, get through and excel in law school and write the bar exam. After that, you’ll have to stand out as an employee against hundreds of other applicants.
Even after completing this process, a career as a lawyer isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Lawyers are constantly under pressure, expected to work long hours, and often deal with emotionally taxing cases.
If this lifestyle doesn’t sound like the right fit for you, but you’re still interested in joining the legal field, there are luckily several other options for you to consider! This list will go over some of the most popular non-lawyer legal jobs for law enthusiasts!
Here are 10 careers to consider to get your foot into the legal world!
The median paralegal’s salary is around $60,970 a year.
Paralegals are integral parts of any law firm. These professionals essentially provide any and all support to the law firm or lawyer they work with. Their roles may include some of the same responsibilities lawyers perform, such as legal research, conversing with clients, gathering evidence, and filing briefs.
In order to become a paralegal, you must complete an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or post-bachelor’s certification in paralegal studies. Depending on the education you choose to pursue, it’ll take approximately one to four years to become a paralegal.
The median salary for legal secretaries is $56,330.
While many confuse paralegals with legal secretaries, the two perform vastly different roles!
Paralegals require some form of legal education because they perform substantive and highly technical legal work. On the other hand, legal secretaries perform more administrative duties, such as transcribing, filing, and handling correspondence.
Legal secretaries do not require higher education but are recommended to have legal experience to increase their qualifications for this job. However, if you don’t have work experience, don’t give up hope.
There are legal secretary jobs within law firms that don’t require legal experience. Some employers are open to hiring individuals with strong administrative skills and a willingness to learn.
These professionals make a median salary of $71,540 annually.
Mediators are required in every area of law, so their roles differ depending on their specialty. However, their main responsibility is to act as a neutral third party to aid in the process of dispute resolution.
Mediators listen to both sides of a dispute, identify weaknesses or areas of concern, and come up with possible solutions. While they do not ultimately determine the outcome of the dispute, they can help the parties involved make the most informed decision.
The majority of mediators have a bachelor’s degree in an area of interest that helped them develop their communication and legal skills.
It’s also recommended that mediators complete 40-hour specialization meditation programs to further enhance their skills.
Jury consultants get paid per job, so their salaries vary depending on their area of expertise and experience.
In certain criminal court cases, the defendants are given the right to a jury trial. This jury must be impartial and fair as they listen to both sides of the case to determine a verdict.
Choosing a fair jury can be difficult, which is where jury consultants come into play. These professionals gather information on potential jurors, create juror profiles, and help the attorney choose jurors.
Jury consultants may also provide suggestions on how to present information to jurors, help lawyers create their opening and closing statements, and advise them on how to share complex information with the jury.
To become a jury consultant, you will typically only need a bachelor’s degree and work experience to qualify for this career. Degrees involving law and/or psychology, like a B.A. in Forensic Psychology, are recommended.
The median salary for compliance officers is around $75,670 a year.
While compliance officers don’t typically work in courtrooms or law firms, their main responsibility still entails ensuring others uphold the law. Compliance officers work in corporations where they ensure the organization and employees within it follow all internal and external rules.
Compliance officers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject related to their desired area of employment, such as business, accounting, or health sciences. Master’s degrees in Compliance Management and Risk are also popular for those wishing to gain more advanced training and open more doors for themselves.
Title examiners earn approximately $52,950 a year.
If you have an interest in real estate law in general, becoming a title examiner might be the right career for you.
Title examiners assist lawyers in determining the legal status of properties and finding any restrictions on them.
While you may become a title examiner without any higher education, the majority of these professionals have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
These legal professionals earn around $55,224 a year.
For all murder mystery fans who love learning about the intricacies of criminal law, criminology may be the perfect field for you!
Criminologists analyze evidence and data to help solve crimes and help create future policies and procedures to prevent these crimes from reoccurring. They also study criminal behavior to learn more about why crimes are committed. Criminologists spend the majority of their time in laboratories or offices, though, not actual crime scenes!
The most popular path to becoming a criminologist is to first complete a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Psychology, or Sociology and then a Master’s degree in Behavioral Science.
The median salary for contract administrators is $71,947.
While lawyers can create contracts for parties to sign, a contract administrator’s sole purpose is to review, write, negotiate, and develop a contract for a particular company or organization.
These administrators must keep all internal, local, state, and federal guidelines in mind while making these contracts to ensure there are no legal breaches.
Many contract administrators have a background in business, either through a bachelor’s in business or finance or an MBA. Some also choose to pursue legal education to learn the ins and outs of the laws they have to abide by in these contracts.
The earning potential for court reporters is quite high. Their median salary is around $63,940 per year.
A great way to get into the courtroom without having the pressure of convincing a judge or jury of the defendant’s innocence or guilt is to be a court reporter. Court reporters use a variety of tools, including stenotype machines, steno masks, and video and audio recordings, to capture everything that is said during trials.
Court reporters must complete an accredited court reporting program and may be required to pass certain state exams before practicing.
The median salary of a bailiff is $53,290.
A final option for those interested in working in the courtroom is to become a bailiff. Bailiffs, also known as court officers, are in charge of keeping order in the courtroom and ensuring everyone’s safety.
While some employers prefer candidates with legal education, such as a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, experience is not always a strict requirement, making it an accessible option for newcomers to the legal field.
Becoming an intellectual property paralegal only involves a few steps, but will require dedication and hard work:
Paralegals require a good foundation in law to join the legal field. There are three options you can pursue to gain this education:
While associate’s degrees allow you to enter the field as soon as possible, bachelor’s degrees are often preferred by employers. Considering intellectual property law is a popular speciality, having this degree can give you a competitive advantage.
Completing a degree or certificate in paralegal studies is the only requirement to become a paralegal. However, joining this field with only a general education in paralegal studies may be difficult.
To gain more expertise in intellectual property law, you should consider taking courses in this specific legal specialty. You may be able to take electives while you’re completing your degree or additional courses afterwards.
For instance, UC Berkeley offers a Paralegal Intellectual Property Law course to students enrolled in their paralegal studies degree and those that have completed some paralegal studies courses elsewhere.
This is an excellent option for aspiring intellectual property paralegals to learn more about trademark, copyright, patent, and trade-secret law. Berkeley is also a prestigious law school, so completing a course from this institution can strengthen your resume!
While gaining paralegal certification is not necessary to become an intellectual property paralegal, doing so will differentiate your resume and make you a more attractive employee. There are three organizations that offer paralegal certification:
Some organizations also offer experienced paralegals certification courses in intellectual property law. If you’re considering getting a specialized certification, ensure you do so through a reputable institution. Our top pick is the University of Texas’ Intellectual Property Law Specialist Certificate.
If you want to become a mediator, keep reading for a step-by-step guide.
A mediator is a neutral third party who resolves a dispute between two parties. They bring both parties together to reach an agreement outside of court.
Mediation differs from a trial because the decision isn't binding, but it's a good alternative to expensive and lengthy legal battles.
There are many areas of mediation a person can choose from. Some of these areas include:
Despite what area of mediation you decide to pursue, you’ll still follow the disciplines of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
There is no pre-mediator degree, but a few specific degrees will give you transferable skills.
Some degrees you should consider taking are:
These programs will help you fine-tune your communication, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Some people pursue higher education after their bachelor’s, such as a master’s degree. While this is not necessary, it’s definitely something to think about!
Although completing a dispute resolution program isn’t mandatory to become a mediator, it is strongly recommended. The program can teach you important skills used by professional mediators and can improve your resume and job prospects.
Colleges that offer dispute resolution programs include classroom learning and then move to real-world practice to help train future mediators.
Since mediators often work in high-level roles, an advanced degree can be helpful. Good options for prospective mediators include degrees in:
Doctoral or master’s degrees in relevant fields are also beneficial, as they show a deeper understanding of laws and policies. Overall, an advanced degree can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries.
It may be difficult to get relevant work experience immediately. If that is the case, look for volunteer opportunities and internships that will look great on your resume.
While a legal background isn’t necessary to become a mediator, going to law school can be beneficial.
Law school provides you with experience working in the legal field. These opportunities help you refine your writing, research, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills, all of which complement the skills and experience needed for mediation.
Some states may require you to take mediation training before entering the workforce which results in a certification. However, this is not a requirement for every state.
Either way, we recommend you consider taking a 40-hour mediation training program—it’s how to become a certified mediator. Some popular mediation programs include Northwestern University’s mediation training program, which teaches the fundamental and practical techniques needed to succeed in the field.
The National Association of Certified Mediators (NACM) also offers a 40-hour mediation course for certification. Taking a training course will boost your resume and make you a desirable candidate to potential employers.
The requirements for becoming a legal secretary vary considerably, so naturally, there are different routes you can take to become one.
The path you take can have a significant impact on how well you perform as a legal secretary and the salary you’re eligible to achieve. It’s important to put thought into your decisions to set yourself up for success.
While there are no formal educational requirements for becoming a legal secretary, it is highly recommended to complete an associate degree program or certification if you’re serious about becoming a legal secretary.
Gaining a formal education will strengthen your resume, skill set, and fundamental knowledge. Working as a legal secretary requires a high degree of legal comprehension, professionalism, and attention to detail.
While the demand for legal secretaries is high, you want to make sure you stand out as a qualified candidate. Formal education will help you land a good position and earn a competitive salary. It also contributes to increased job security and makes employee benefits and insurance more accessible.
The following majors will help you gain knowledge, skills, and experience for a legal secretary career:
Each of these majors will help you refine your critical thinking, communication and research skills, which will come in handy as a legal secretary.
There are numerous avenues you can take to gain a formal education as a legal secretary. The following courses can help you on your way:
These courses will equip you with the technical skills and specialized knowledge needed in your career as a legal secretary.
It’s also a good idea to strengthen your resume with relevant work experience. Some firms and organizations even offer apprenticeship or trainee programs. Gaining on-the-job experience can help provide valuable insight into what it’s like to work as a legal secretary. It can also help you appeal to employers and secure a great job.
People from different fields of study and experience can become jury consultants. There is no defined path to becoming a jury consultant. There are, however, some steps you can take to beef up your resume and impress potential employers.
While there is no degree specific to jury consulting training, people who work in this field often have degrees in communications, English, psychology, social sciences, and behavioral sciences.
While a JD is not necessary to become a jury consultant, you should consider looking into good pre-law schools. The best jury consultants are well-rounded individuals with strong communication and research skills, legal knowledge, and great attention to detail.
In addition to getting a degree in a relevant field, you should also consider getting a Master’s degree in a similar area.
Many jury consultants possess Master’s degrees, and while it is not necessarily a requirement, employers will most likely favor those with higher education qualifications. So, to increase your desirability as a candidate, getting your Master’s is something to seriously consider.
A Master’s will allow you to fine-tune your writing, research, and critical thinking skills, which are key to working in the legal field.
Most employers will ask for at least one year of professional experience. There are many job and employment opportunities that highlight critical skills you need for the legal field and look great on a resume.
You should also take advantage of volunteer opportunities that will give you legal experience and establish your professional skills.
Volunteering is also a great way to make connections and network with others in the legal profession. Building relationships will come in handy down the road when applying for jobs!
Understanding criminal behaviour and predicting future crimes involves a high degree of skill and training. So, how long does it take to become a criminologist?
Aspiring criminologists can expect to spend at least four years learning about the criminal justice field and at least a couple years gaining experience with criminal cases before becoming independent criminologists.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to become a criminologist:
The first and minimum educational requirement you’ll need to become a criminologist is obtaining an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. The majority of criminologists major in criminal justice, but majors in sociology and psychology are also common.
Aspiring forensic criminologists may opt to join highly competitive forensic science majors or other science-based majors.
Regardless of the major you choose, you should gain significant coursework in each of these disciplines to become the most effective and qualified criminologist possible. For instance, while a major in criminal justice may help you understand the law better, you’ll have little knowledge of human behavior and the dynamics that affect it.
To ensure you gain a comprehensive education, take courses in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice, and hone your research and writing skills as well.
If you need additional support, seeking law school application help can assist you in crafting a competitive application.
Considering a large part of your job as a criminologist will be conducting research and writing scholarly articles, it’s essential you develop these skills prior to entering the field. Having significant research experience on your resume will give you a competitive edge and ensure you’re prepared for a career as a criminologist.
Participating in psychology-related research will be the most beneficial for you, and will likely be the easiest for you to pursue considering your major.
Criminologist positions will require you to have at least a few years of experience working in a similar field. Having prior experience interacting with criminals through an internship with local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies can boost your resume.
Gaining a Master’s in Criminal Justice or Psychology is highly encouraged for students interested in becoming criminologists. This degree will allow you to gain more advanced training in data analysis, research, and writing.
While many criminologists successfully join the field with just an undergrad, having a master’s degree can get you into the field quicker, as you will not need as much work experience to prove your qualifications.
You will also have more opportunities, as large federal law enforcement organizations like the CIA or FBI typically require applicants to have master’s or doctorate degrees.
Forensic criminologists in particular have various certification options that they can obtain through the American Board of Criminalistics once they’ve gained some experience in the field. These include certifications in:
Criminologists of any speciality may also gain certification with a national institute before entering the field. Many criminologists opt to become Certified Criminal Profilers (CPPs) to enhance their skills in criminal profiling, which is an essential part of a criminologists job. There are several accredited institutions that offer this certification.
To excel in the legal field, there are some essential skills you can't do without.
To sum it up, these skills are the building blocks of success in the legal profession. Whether you aim to become a lawyer or a paralegal or take on any role in the legal field, developing these skills will not only make you more effective but also pave the way for your long-term career satisfaction and achievements.
While a law degree, often acquired through the LSAT and law school, can expand your knowledge base and help you hone skills that will be beneficial in non-lawyer legal jobs, it’s generally not worth it to go through the extensive process of obtaining a law degree for these jobs.
Not only is law school expensive and challenging, but having a J.D. could make you seem overqualified for certain jobs! There are entry-level legal positions that don’t require experience and schooling that can provide a quicker path to entering the workforce and building a career in the legal field.
You’ll also be limiting your earning potential by obtaining a law degree but working a non-lawyer job since attorneys make much more than non-lawyer professionals.
For any more questions, read on to find your answers.
While no legal profession is easy per se, becoming a legal secretary involves the least amount of education and technical knowledge, as these secretaries mainly perform administrative duties. It’s definitely a viable legal career without a law degree.
A paralegal career is similar to a lawyer. Paralegals can undertake many of the same responsibilities as lawyers and have the legal training to understand the intricacies of various cases.
One popular option that will put your law degree to use is becoming a law professor! Law professors are required to have a legal degree, a master’s, and usually a Ph.D. as well. A law degree will also help you in roles like a compliance officer, where you must know how to follow various rules and regulations.
Paralegals and legal assistants are the same and have identical responsibilities. Legal secretaries, however, are different and perform more administrative duties.
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
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