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Law as a Career

Considering Law as a Career

Thinking about a future in law? The Mississippi Bar encourages students and professionals to explore this rewarding and impactful career path. Learn about the education, skills, and values that shape the next generation of Mississippi lawyers.

Law as a Career

The Foundation of the American Legal System
The Role of a Lawyer: Advisor and Advocate
Not All Lawyers are Trial Lawyers
Should I be a lawyer?
Opportunities for Women and Minorities
Job Opportunities for Lawyers
Paralegals
Selecting a Law School: Choices and Criteria
What is law school like?
How much does law school cost?
Admission to the Bar

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The Foundation of the American Legal System

Carved in stone above the columned entrance to the Supreme Court is the phrase, “Equal Justice Under Law.” Assuring that principle to the more than 249 million people in the United States is the work of the country’s lawyers and judges.
The American legal system is complex. The foundation of the system is the United States Constitution, but we also are governed by the acts of the United States Congress, fifty state constitutions, and state and municipal statutes. Besides these statutory foundations, American law is grounded in the decision of its courts. These decisions make up the Common Law, and prior court decisions are precedent for later courts deciding the same issues. Furthermore, because of our heritage as a colony of England, the common law of England — that is, the rulings of the English common law courts — is also considered as precedent by our courts.

The Role of a Lawyer:

Advisor and Advocate

In the United States, a lawyer has a dual role as advisor and as advocate. As an advisor, the lawyer keeps clients out of trouble by informing them about the legal consequences of proposed actions, by drafting legal arrangements that comply with the law, and by advising about the client’s rights and obligations in dealings with other people. The lawyer also assists in putting entangled affairs in order through counseling and negotiation. As an advocate, he or she assists in the administration of justice. American courts operate under an adversary system in which parties to a disagreement in a civil case, or the prosecution and defense in a criminal case, present their points of view to a judge or judge and jury. Lawyers, who are licensed by the courts and are officers of the court, are qualified to present other people’s cases through written and oral arguments and application of the appropriate law, procedures, and rules of evidence.

In addition to his or her regular work, a lawyer is expected to render public interest legal service. This includes providing professional services at no fee or reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable organizations. Participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system, and the legal profession, such as taking part in bar association projects concerning professional ethics or improving the administration of justice, are also acceptable ways for a lawyer to meet his or her public service obligation.

Not All Lawyers Are Trial Lawyers

When people think of lawyers, many will picture those portrayed in movies or on television. The image is of an actor or actress speaking eloquently in front of a jury in a mahogany-paneled courtroom and producing a last-minute rabbit from the hat to save a client. Most lawyers spend much of their time outside the courtroom setting. They talk to clients and to others on behalf of clients; they research legal issues; they draft contracts, deeds, wills, corporate by-laws, ordinances, and legislation; they counsel, mediate, and negotiate settlement; they draft depositions, interrogatories, pleadings, trial and appellate briefs, proposed jury instructions, and court findings, and they present matters to administrative boards and agencies. Lawyers’ careers are extremely varied. Some lawyers in private practice specialize in advising corporations; some concentrate on solving individuals’ civil legal problems; some practice criminal defense. About 10 percent of all lawyers work for various governmental units in either civil or criminal law. A much smaller number teach law or become judges. Yet others do not practice law at all but use their legal skills in the business world as executives, corporate tax experts, and bankers. Some combine careers, such as a law practice and politics. Others become legal affairs reporters.
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Should I Be a Lawyer?

In considering a career in law, first evaluate your own interests, goals, and qualifications. The qualities most needed to be a successful lawyer, according to a survey of bar association leaders, are dedication, motivation, and the willingness to work long hours. Other important qualities include a good vocabulary and thorough knowledge of the English language; sound reasoning skills; an ability to write clearly and concisely; a good memory; and the ability to communicate well orally. Temperament is also a factor to be considered. It is often necessary to work under pressure of tight deadlines, have the patience to spend many hours researching a single legal point, and analyze facts carefully and marshal them to create a persuasive argument. If you think you are interested in a career in a courtroom rather than in an office, you also will need the ability to think quickly on your feet, speak with ease and authority in public, pursue details, and understand courtroom strategy. Many people are looking at law as an adjunct to another career. More students are attending law school not to practice law, but as an alternative to a general business graduate degree. Many officers of major corporations have law degrees.
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Opportunities for Women and Minorities

The number of women and minority group members attending law school has grown dramatically in recent decades. In 1963, only 1,739 women were enrolled as degree candidates in ABA-approved law schools; in 1990, women law students numbered 54,097, or 42.5 percent of all Juris Doctor degree candidates. In 1969 (the first year for which minority student figures are available), there were 2,933 African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native law students. In 1990, the total minority enrollment was 17,330. Although the fluctuations of the economy will always have an impact on the legal profession, opportunities for women and minorities remain in all sectors of the profession, including law firms, corporations, and government. Minority group members and women in the top portion of their graduating classes are likely to continue to be in great demand.

Job Opportunities for Lawyers

Lawyers have a wide range of career paths to choose from. Opportunities vary based on interests, specialties and location. Here is an overview of the most common and emerging areas of employment for law school graduates.

Many new lawyers begin their careers in law firms, which vary in size, structure and area of focus.

Types of Practice:

    • Corporate Law: Serving large companies on contracts, mergers, and compliance
    • General Practice: Representing both individuals and businesses in civil or criminal matters
    • Specialized Firms: Focusing on specific areas such as litigation, personal injury, family law, patent law or public interest law

Firm sizes range from solo practitioners to firms with 1,000+ attorneys and offices worldwide.

Many corporations, banks, insurance companies, and real estate firms maintain legal departments and need in-house counsel. Law graduates often advance to high-level positions such as:

    • Chief Executive Officer or corporate executive
    • Real estate broker or title company executive
    • University president or administrator
    • Accounting firm executive
    • Elected official or legislative aide

Government Service
Lawyers play essential roles for federal, state, and local agencies in areas like:

    • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
    • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
    • U.S. Department of Justice

Government positions exist across the country, not just in Washington, D.C. These roles are highly sought after due to job stability and public service impact.

Serving as a law clerk to a judge provides prestigious experience, valuable legal insight and professional connections. Term length for clerkship opportunities typically last one or two years. Opportunities include:

    • U.S. Supreme Court Justices
    • Federal appellate and district court judges
    • State court judges
Suburban and rural law practices continue to expand, offering meaningful work and community involvement. Contact local law firms in areas of interest to explore openings and opportunities.
    • Demand for legal jobs is high, especially in desirable locations and specialties.
    • Graduates from prestigious schools or top performers from other institutions often have stronger prospects.
    • Flexibility in location and practice area can help open more opportunities.

Paralegals

A growing number of individuals have decided to follow careers as paralegals, who are assistants to attorneys. The functions they perform vary considerably, but may include interviewing clients, conducting legal research projects and drafting legal documents under the supervision of attorneys. The paralegal industry is second only to home health care in growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Several tax-supported junior colleges and four-year colleges, as well as for profit private schools, now offer training for legal assistants.

Selecting a Law School: Choices and Criteria

Begin with an Honest Self-Assessment
    • Evaluate your education and work experience – how has it prepared you for law school?
    • Identify your academic and career goals
    • Consider your ideal learning environment (urban vs. suburban, large vs. small campus)
    • Decide between full-time or part-time enrollment
    • Determine your financial limits and plan your budget
Understand Your Strengths and Goals
    • Clarify what you want from your legal education
    • Recognize your strengths and areas to improve
    • Use this self-awareness to narrow down your list of schools
Research Potential Law Schools
    • Learn about each school’s admission requirements and program strengths
    • Contact admissions offices for insight into what they value most
    • Review student diversity initiatives and support programs
    • Consult your undergraduate prelaw advisor for guidance and alumni outcomes
Assess Your Competitiveness
    • Law school admissions are competitive, typically twice as many applicants as seats
    • Apply strategically:
        • 2–3 “reach” schools
        • 2–3 “target” or “safety” schools
    • Compare your GPA, LSAT score, and experience against each school’s typical requirements
Know What Law Schools Consider
Key factors:
      • Undergraduate GPA
      • LSAT score
      • Academic rigor of your coursework
      • Graduate work (if applicable)
      • Work experience and leadership roles
      • Letters of recommendation
      • Personal statement strength
Note: Personal interviews are rarely required.
Explore Academic Preparation
    • There’s no required “prelaw” minor; students from all disciplines are admitted
    • Focus on a broad, rigorous education that builds analytical and communication skills
    • Law-related courses can enhance understanding but are not mandatory
Prepare for the LSAT
    • Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), a half-day, multiple-choice exam that measures reasoning and verbal skills
    • Prepare by practicing with past tests available through Law School Admission Services
    • Strong LSAT preparation can significantly strengthen your application
Finalize and Apply
    • Use your LSAT score and research to refine your list of law schools
    • Complete applications carefully and thoughtfully
    • Submit materials early and keep records of all correspondence

What is Law School Like?

Law school consists of a three-year course of full-time study or a four- or five-year course of part-time study. Although the approach to the study of law varies somewhat from school to school, the first segment of law school study consists of what is defined as the core curriculum and generally includes courses such as contracts, constitutional law, torts, criminal law, legal writing, civil procedures, and property.

All law schools offer instruction in practical professional skills, what is commonly called clinical legal education, and the breadth and number of these courses are increasing. All students, as part of their law school studies receive instruction in the duties and responsibilities of the legal profession. In the remainder of their course study, students choose from a variety of courses and areas of the law. Areas of study include such courses as commercial law, business organizations, evidence, tax, labor law, estate planning, antitrust, and international and comparative law.

Law school classes have traditionally used the case method of teaching, which involves detailed examination of a number of related, sometimes contradictory, judicial opinions. This method relies heavily on Socratic inquiry and student-faculty exchange. Law school methods of instruction also include problem solving, readings, research, and seminars. Increasingly, a number of law school courses are interdisciplinary in nature.

How Much Does Law School Cost? Are There Financial Aid Opportunities?

In addition to assessing the admission criteria of the law schools that are being considered, one must pay attention to finances. Legal education can be very expensive. You must look at the tuition at public law schools and at private institutions at the law schools you are interested in applying. In addition to tuition costs, there will be books and supplies, travel, rent, and food expenses. Law students can expect to spend much money to complete a law school education.

Unlike most graduate programs, fellowships and grants are not widely available for legal education. Most students pay for law school with student loans. In considering which law schools are affordable, applicants need to think about existing debts, including any undergraduate student loans, and determine the amount of additional debt they are willing and able to assume. Law school financial aid personnel will be able to assist with this process. Some non-loan financial assistance also is available, and individuals should pursue these sources before undertaking educational debt. Most law schools have a small number of scholarships or grants that do not have to be repaid.

The best sources of information about these scholarships and grants are the law school financial aid officer and law school catalogs. Veterans may be eligible for financial assistance from the Veterans Administration. Applicants who think they may be eligible for such assistance need to contact the VA office in their state. Academic-year employment often involves working as a legal research assistant. Summer employment typically involves work in a law firm, court, or government agency. These positions help defray the cost of legal education and afford the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

Students who must work full-time during the school year should explore the part-time academic programs offered by many law schools. These programs allow students to extend their studies over a longer period, usually four to five years. When considering law school, applicants should give themselves plenty of time. The process of gathering all credential information, researching the law schools, looking into finances, and picking the law schools to apply to, can be very time consuming. It is important to know and meet all application deadlines.

Admission to the Bar

After graduating from law school, an individual must gain admission to the bar of the jurisdiction in which he or she wishes to practice law. The usual requirements are graduating from a law school approved by the ABA, the national accreditation agency for law schools; passing a written examination administered by the jurisdiction’s board of bar examiners; and meeting the requirements of character and fitness. Requirements vary nationally; for example, a few states permit graduates of non-ABA-approved law schools to take the bar examination. Bar examinations are administered in February and July. After passing the bar examination, an applicant who has established his or her good character and fitness is formally admitted to the practice of law by the highest state court in the jurisdiction. Admission in one jurisdiction does not qualify a lawyer to practice in other jurisdictions, although roughly half the jurisdictions permit admission of experienced attorneys without additional testing under what is variously termed motion admission, comity admission, or admission by reciprocity. Information concerning bar admission can be obtained from the board of bar admissions.

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