Broad gamut of law-related career options available
Lawyers and judges aren't the only people who work in the legal profession. Numerous career options exist for those who are interested in the law.
Administrative law judges are normally employed in a civil service position by a public sector agency. In handling an administrative case, an administrative law judge must exercise functions which are somewhat similar to an elected or appointed circuit judge, such as regulating the course of a hearing or ruling on procedural request. Their cases do not make final or binding decisions, however. They tend to take a much more active part in the case over which they preside.
Many federal and state agencies hire administrative law judges. These agencies require that an administrative law judge possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be a licensed attorney in good standing.
Another option is a career as a law librarian. These professionals work in a variety of legal settings, most commonly in law school, large private law firms or government libraries. Many have a degree in library science, and most jobs require a Master's degree. There is usually no law degree requirement for those in large law firms, corporations or public, county or governmental law libraries.
Other career options include:
- A sign language interpreter for the courts so that court personnel can communicate with the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
- A legal secretary, more than just a typist, who may be asked to complete complicated tax documents or important divorce of child custody papers to be filed in court.
- A law enforcement officer (a police officer or state trooper).
- A legal assistant or paralegal who, qualified through education, training or work experience, is employed by a lawyer, law office or other entity, and who performs a legal function under the direct supervision of an attorney.
- A mediator, who does not decide cases but rather facilitates decisions between parties to help reach a fair and equitable settlement.
- A court reporter, who has the responsibility to record everything said by all of the parties participating in formal trials.
- A court clerk or bailiff, whose job is to administer oaths in courtrooms, take responsibility and custody of physical evidence introduced at a trial, and help in the general administration of a trial.
Other professions that could be considered law-related are a corrections officer, forensic scientist, a high school law/government/political science teacher, a JAG or military lawyer, a legal nurse consultant, a legislator, a lobbyist, a private investigator, a customs officer or a victim advocate. A good resource for law-related careers is www.streetlaw.com/careers.html.
Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.
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If you have questions about the application of the law in a particular case, consult your lawyer. The law is constantly changing. Information on this site or any site to which we link does not constitute legal advice.