October 18, 2023
Alternative Careers for Lawyers | Legal and Non-Legal Roles
Individuals in the legal profession who find themselves questioning their career path or discovering that practising law is not their true calling often contemplate the possibility of transitioning to a different career. The world of legal study and practice can sometimes feel like an isolated realm, where one’s expertise is solely confined to the field of law. When the decision is made to explore other avenues, the once-prestigious law degree may appear as an obstacle.
This article seeks to underscore the fact that individuals in the legal profession are not bound to a singular path. Each person possesses unique interests and aspirations, and they should have the opportunity to explore them without constraint. Life is a precious and finite journey, and it would be a disservice to oneself to remain confined, inquisitive yet unsatisfied.
While embarking on a new journey may seem daunting, it can be achieved through consistent, incremental efforts, one step at a time.
Listed below are alternative career options both within and beyond the legal field.
Alternative Careers for Lawyers | Legal Roles
In-House Counsel
Most in-house counsel positions have a better work structure, reasonable compensation and work flexibility. Unlike legal practice which is filled with uncertainty, long hours and highly competitive environments, in-house counsels get to specialise in a specific industry and directly impact business decisions.
Mediator
A mediator is a trained independent and neutral third party who assists disputants in reaching a settlement outside of court. More individuals and corporations are turning to mediation as the first attempt at resolution of civil disputes outside court because it is more cost-effective and expeditious.
Arbitrator
Arbitration is just like mediation, only more formal. In Arbitration, the final decision that the arbitrator makes is binding on the parties to the arbitral proceedings and can be enforced by a court.
Judge
Judges are legal professionals who serve in a judicial capacity within the legal system. They are responsible for interpreting and applying the law, overseeing court proceedings, and making impartial decisions in legal cases.
Magistrate
A magistrate is a judicial official who presides over cases in a lower court and usually handles less significant or preliminary issues.
Lecturer
Lecturers are subject matter experts who are employed by universities and higher education establishments to perform teaching, research and administrative functions.
Legal writer
A legal writer is a professional who specializes in the creation of legal publications and written documents related to the legal industry. Their role involves preparing, drafting, and writing legal content. They may also review and proofread these materials to ensure accuracy and clarity. Legal writers are skilled in translating complex legal concepts into clear and understandable language, making legal information accessible to a broader audience.
Legal editor
A legal editor is a specialist in the post-writing phase of legal documents and publications. Their primary responsibility is to review, proofread, and edit legal materials. This includes checking for grammatical errors, ensuring consistency in style and formatting, and verifying legal accuracy. Legal editors play a crucial role in refining legal content, making it more precise and polished before it is published or used in legal proceedings.
Legal news reporter
A legal news reporter is an individual who gathers, investigates and reports legal news and stories to the public. This could be via TV, radio, social media, podcasts, blogs and more.
Legal blogger
An individual related to law in any form; Paralegal, lawyer, law graduate, etc can set up a blog to talk about their personal experiences in law and monetise the blog along the way.
Policy advisor
Policy advisors research, write, analyse and review elements of different policies in a specific field. This could be in government or business.
Policy analyst
A policy analyst is a type of political scientist who researches and evaluates past, current and future public policies and their impact on individuals and social groups.
Legislative draftsman
A legislative draftsman is an individual involved in the creation of legislative bills and various legal documents at different levels of government.
Politician
A politician is an individual who is professionally involved in politics, usually as a holder of an elected or appointed office.
Legal recruiter
A legal recruiter finds qualified legal candidates and matches them with specific open positions at a law firm or legal organisation.
Detective/ Investigator
A detective is a law enforcement professional trained to investigate and solve crimes. Detectives work to gather evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, analyze information, and piece together the details of criminal cases. They play a pivotal role in solving complex cases and are often responsible for bringing criminals to justice by building strong cases for prosecution. Detectives can be found in various law enforcement agencies, including local police departments, state agencies, and federal organisations, depending on the nature and scope of the cases they handle.
Contract manager
A contract manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the management and administration of a company’s legal documents and contracts.
Legal tech officer
Legal technology, also known as legal tech, refers to the use of technology, anything from artificial intelligence to blockchain technology to offer better and more efficient services to clients while supporting the legal industry. This is a good space for someone with a law degree who is also interested in emerging technologies.
Legal consultant
A legal consultant is an expert in the field of law who is responsible for providing legal advice and strategies to individuals and businesses or organisations.
Alternative Careers for Lawyers | Non-Legal Roles
Author
After spending years learning how to write, edit and proofread, most lawyers dream about being authors. You can write books for lawyers, law students or the general public. Everyone has a story and there’s someone out there who really needs to hear it.
Public servant
A public servant is an individual who is appointed, elected or employed to a public office, for example, working for a local or state government.
Civil servant
A civil servant is an individual who is employed to work for the government. A civil servant is not usually appointed or elected but has to go through the rigorous employment process. A civil servant will usually work in their office until retirement while an appointed or elected public servant will have to vacate his/ her office once their term is over. A civil servant is a public servant but a public servant may not always be a civil servant.
A lawyer can work for the government in a variety of departments; Legal, admin, human resource, IT, marketing, etc
Content writer
A content writer is a professional who provides high-quality, relevant, informative and engaging content like blog posts, articles and how-to guides. Their primary purpose is to educate, entertain and inform.
Copywriter
A copywriter writes with the specific intent of selling. Their copy may educate, entertain or inform but their job is to sell or get people to take a particular action. As a result, their writing usually ends with a call to action.
Social media manager
Social media managers manage the accounts of businesses and individuals. They develop strategies to increase followers, create content, respond to followers and give the business a voice.
Content marketer
A content marketer is a storyteller. A form of digital marketer, content marketers focus solely on content, this could be via an organisation’s website and even their social media platforms. A content marketer is usually in charge of content and copywriters in an organisation.
Digital marketer
Digital marketers are responsible for promoting a business and its products using digital channels.
Product manager
A product manager is a professional who is responsible for the development of products for an organisation.
Project manager
A project manager is a professional individual who is in charge of planning, executing, monitoring, controlling and closing projects.
Journalist
A journalist is a professional who gathers, verifies, and reports on news and information to the public through various media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online platforms.
Teacher
Former lawyers and law graduates can excel in a teaching career. Subjects such as English, literature, government and more are good starting points. A teacher inspires, motivates, encourages and educates learners.
Startup founder
A startup founder is an individual or a group of individuals who establish and lead a new, innovative business venture called a “startup.” These founders are responsible for conceiving a unique business idea or concept, securing funding, developing a business plan, assembling a team, and taking the necessary steps to turn their vision into a functioning and potentially profitable company.
Business owner
While a startup is a way of saying an individual started a much cooler type of business, other types of businesses do exist and most of them as a matter of fact, have always existed. Examples include a hair-making/ dressing salon, a makeup business, a boutique, a petty trade store, a supermarket, a shop, a barbing salon, a waxing salon, a cafe, a restaurant and many more.
Banker
A banker is usually a professional who is involved in the business of banking. They advise clients on financial concerns and how to manage their finances better. They usually work at a bank, credit union or financial institution.
Investment consultant
An investment consultant is a financial professional who works with investors to provide them with the best-tailored financial advice.
Administration officer
A lawyer or law graduate will naturally excel in administration roles without any addition to their already acquired skills. Admin officers are in charge of the day-to-day task management activities within an organisation or business.
Human resource officer
A human resource officer can either be a generalist or a specialist who looks out for the progress and welfare of the employed staff in an organisation.
Management consultant
Management consultants help organisations solve problems, improve business performance, create value and maximise growth.
Realtor/ Real Estate Agent
Realtors/ real estate agents are licensed professionals who help people buy and sell real estate. They are usually paid a commission when a deal is completed.
Account manager
Account managers serve as the liaison between companies and their customers.
Business development managers
A business development manager is a professional who is responsible for the growth of a company as a whole or the particular department in the company to which they are assigned.
Career manager
A career manager is a professional who hires and trains a company’s new staff.
Investment banker
Investment bankers are investment professionals who usually work for banking institutions to raise capital and advise economic decisions.
Insurance broker/ agent
An insurance agent is a professional who sells insurance products and services to individuals and businesses on behalf of insurance companies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, for lawyers and law students, the decision to not practice law should be viewed not as the end of a career but as the beginning of a world filled with limitless possibilities. There are countless alternative paths that allow you to leverage your legal skills and knowledge in unique and fulfilling ways. I encourage you to explore the options we’ve discussed in this article and consider each one’s potential alignment with your passions and interests.
If any alternative career mentioned here piqued your curiosity, I recommend taking the next step by visiting job search platforms like Indeed. There, you’ll find detailed job listings and descriptions that can provide you with valuable insights into these exciting fields.
I hope this exploration has opened your eyes to the diverse opportunities beyond traditional legal practice. Remember, your legal background equips you with a valuable skill set that is in demand across various industries. Embrace these opportunities, pursue your passions, and embark on your new journey with confidence.
Lastly, if you are aware of any other alternative careers or businesses that I might have missed in this article, please feel free to share them in the comment section below. Your contributions can help fellow lawyers and law students discover even more potential avenues for their future endeavours.
I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavours. Your legal career is just the tip of the iceberg, and your potential knows no bounds. Embrace the possibilities, and may your journey be filled with success and fulfilment.
