Any large corporation (largest number of attorneys are at corporate headquarters)
Corporate office summer clerkships and entry level positions are rare. Usually only experienced lawyers are hired by corporations. Develop tolerance for bureaucratic procedure. An undergraduate major in business, particularly accounting or finance, is helpful.
Get involved with an internship or co-op program with the federal government to get a foot in the door. New lawyers frequently go to court and litigate sooner; experience gained here can be valuable to private firms later. Government work offers a variety of practice opportunities from criminal to contracts.
High academic achievement is emphasized by State and Federal judges; Federal judges usually require top 10% or 15% class rank. Clerkships can be a stepping-stone to other legal areas and provide many benefits for future career opportunities. For U.S. Supreme Court, applicants must be top law graduates with one to two years clerking at lower Federal Court. Moot Court participation in regional and national competitions is helpful. Law review membership, as an indication of writing ability, is highly valued and emphasized at all court levels.
A service-oriented attitude is helpful. Learn to enlist the help of others. Clerkship or summer associate positions with law firms providing lobbying services provide good experience. Demonstrate an interest in politics through your undergraduate major, active campaigning, or research papers/articles. Obtain law firm experience. Acquire superior writing skills. Develop a pleasing personality, enthusiasm, and high energy level. Show ability to work with people and good communication and organizational skills. Consider earning a Master's of Public Administration.
Acquire excellent research and writing skills. Obtain clerkships or internships.
Large and medium-size firms frequently emphasize grades and class rank and value law review and moot court experience.
Gain supervised work experience in an area through summer internships.
Demonstrate a desire to help the economically disadvantaged and show an interest in law as a means of change. Volunteer for non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of people.
Obtain several years of experience in private practice or government agency.
The LLM degree and an outstanding academic record are required for law school teaching. Teaching allows for more flexibility of time. Some lawyers teach on an adjunct basis.
Take essential courses related to criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, and evidence. Participate in a criminal clinical program. Obtain summer positions in a prosecutor's office or a criminal litigation office or private firms practicing criminal law. Civil law deals with a broad range of subjects other than criminal matters and provides for a wide variety of functions including the opportunity to work with private lawyers and a variety of public officials. A demonstrated interest in public issues and completion of related internships are helpful.
This highly specialized area usually requires technical, science or engineering degree. These lawyers help protect clients' claims to copyrights, inventions, software, etc.
This area involves rights to resources including those in the earth and dangers in production of energy as well as transportation, taxation, patents, and government regulation. An undergraduate major in environmental science, agriculture, engineering, or science may be good preparation.
Insurance "Estate Planning" positions require interest and ability in sales. Bank trust department positions are good for those who do not want to litigate or be confrontational. An undergraduate major in accounting or finance may be helpful.
Exhibit interest in writing, research, and editing for publishers. For national media, gain experience covering the law and politics.
Handle office management (e.g. work flow), business development, clerk and attorney recruitment, clerkship programs, finances, and human resources in a law firm.
Serve as a Dean or Director of Academics, Admissions, Career Services, Records, Alumni Affairs, Development, etc. in law schools. Work in judicial affairs, pre-law advising, or other undergraduate student support services.
Masters in Library or Information Science, in addition to a law degree, may be required for some positions.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Editorial assistance and additional information provided by The University of Tennessee College of Law. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer
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