What's Next After Finishing Law School?
You might still be planning a career in law or you might be a law student or a recent graduate. Have you thought about your long–term career goals? Have you considered all the career avenues that a law degree can open for you? This article will brief you about all the career options that you have after law school. Right after law school and clearing the state bar, you are all set to get started on your legal career. Until now, you have more of a theoretical knowledge of the working of the legal system. Law school has taught you how to think like an attorney, but to gain practical experience and decide on your options, you need to analyze your priorities. Do you want a job that pays more or something that offers relaxed billable hours? Do you wish to work in all practice areas or would you consider a specialization? Are you a workaholic or do you seek to maintain a work-life balance? Only after you analyze your priorities will you be able to make the most of this prestigious career. After getting a JD degree and state bar licensures, you can opt for a post-JD degree offered at various colleges. These advanced degrees often come with specialization in a particular field of law and give you an edge over thousands of others. Typically, most graduates take up these advanced degrees after gaining some relevant work experience. Some of these degrees include: •
LLM: Master of Laws
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JM: Juris Master
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MCL: Master of Comparative Law
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MJ: Master of Jurisprudence
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SJD: Doctor of Judicial Science
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DCL: Doctor of Comparative Law
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JSD: Doctor of Jurisprudence
• Types of Employment Most graduates work in law firms after law school. Apart from law firms, you have the option to take a judicial clerkship, start solo practice, work for government or military, find a position in corporate legal department, work for a non-profit organization, or become a legal professor. There are a few who opt for a non-legal career and various others who pursue further education for advanced degrees. Clerkships Judicial clerkships are described as one of the most important career milestones by various attorneys. Clerkships are usually with a judge and allow recent graduates to see the insides of the legal system. They are considered very prestigious and play an invaluable role on your resume. You gain immense knowledge and first-hand experience working under a judge, and you also get to create a network at the very beginning of your career.
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