HEARO Guide To Careers In Law
- kyraashelton
- Nov 22, 2024
- 10 min read
Introduction
The field of law is becoming an essential component of everyday life in the United States - having compassionate individuals who understand the law, with a dedication to represent the public is more crucial than ever. There are several careers in the field of law, with many subspecialties within each career. The four that we will focus on in this resource bank will be lawyers, paralegals, notaries, and judges. We will detail schooling needed, certifications needed, and over time, will include transcribed interviews from individuals in these roles as well as those undergoing schooling for these roles.
Later on, other roles that are crucial within the legal system, such as court managers, stenographers, clerks, etc, will be covered. Our team will focus on the above careers first.
We will also briefly cover advanced degree options (beyond law school) for individuals interested in pursuing a PhD in a law specialty.
Different Careers in Law - What Are They?
There are several ways to engage with a law career in the United States.
Lawyer: a lawyer is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters (American Bar Association).
Paralegal: an individual who assists lawyers in preparing for hearings, trials, etc. They are also responsible for assisting in investigating the facts of a case and identifying relevant law and precedent. (Herzing University)
Notary: a notary is an individual who acts as an official witness appointed by the state, to be present during the signing of important or confidential documentation to assure compliance with confidentiality measures.
Judges: a judge is responsible for presiding over court at a county, state, federal, or national level. Judges listen to witnesses and lawyers, consider evidence, precedence, and law, and issue rulings based on these factors. Sometimes, they may operate alongside a jury.
Becoming a Lawyer
The following degrees/benchmarks will be expanded upon but are required to become a lawyer.
Associates Degree (2 years)
Bachelor's Degree (2 years)
Taking the LSAT
Law School (3 years) - JD Degree
Passage of the State Bar
LLM (Masters of Law) (1 year) - Law Specialization
Undergraduate Degree (Associates and Bachelor’s)
There are no specific bachelor’s degree requirements to attend law school. It is recommended that students, if they are aware of what type of law they would like to practice, prepare for this in their undergraduate career by taking classes or pursuing a major that may connect or apply. Below are some examples…
Family Law: Individuals often major in psychology
Immigration Law: Individuals often major in sociology, history, diversity, LSJ (law, society, and justice), political science.
Contract Law: Individuals often major in business, marketing, economics.
Corporate Law: See contract law - similar assertion
Bankruptcy/Tax Law: Individuals often major in business, economics, accounting, mathematics, or data science.
Defense Law: Individuals often major in sociology, forensic science, psychology, etc.
Medical Law: Individuals often major in some STEM field, and sometimes even follow the pre-medical pathway. Sometimes, lawyers practicing medical law will attend medical school concurrently with law school.
See this article for examples of more types of law possible to practice and their context within the legal field.
It is also completely acceptable if you are not sure what type of law you want to practice, or did not decide you wanted to attend law school until later in your undergraduate career. Again, taking coursework that is specific to your law interests is not required - it is more important to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, through whatever bachelor’s degree you engage with. You are eligible for law school with any degree.
Transferring to University to Complete a Pre-Law Bachelor’s Degree
Unfortunately, in the state of Washington, community and technical colleges do not offer bachelor’s degree programs in the majority of disciplines. Most students interested in law school in Washington state will have to transfer to a four year college or university to complete their prerequisites and law school. See the college transfer guide (COMING SOON!) linked here for general information about transferring colleges.
Often, it is recommended that you complete as many pre-requisite courses as possible for your intended major at the college or university you are applying to at your community college. If you are just starting out and want guidance in building your academic schedule accordingly, here’s some people you can contact.
Your community college advisor, typically found in the ‘advising office’.
A departmental advisor - typically these are just professors in certain departments at your community college. (For instance, find the contact information for a sociology professor and email them about wanting to complete a sociology major at X university and they will direct you to a departmental advisor that can best assist you).
An advisor at the college(s) or university that you are planning to apply to - typically if you just google the college or university name and that department/field, a page for that department will pop up. You can also google something such as: University of Washington sociology major advising. Although you are not a student there, advisors at these colleges/universities may be willing to assist a prospective transfer.
Note - sometimes, individuals will take a gap year in which they take the LSAT, volunteer within the community, etc. Gap year options will be detailed.
Volunteering During Undergrad - Resources for Pre-Law Students
When you are preparing for law school, you’ll want to not only focus on the aspects of your application (such as the LSAT), and finishing your bachelor’s degree, but on volunteering within your community and interest areas! It is encouraged to volunteer in areas adjacent to what type of law you are interested in practicing, but if there is a cause you are passionate about that is unrelated, go for it! All that matters is you have a strong reason for 1) participating in that volunteer opportunity and 2) a reason for why you are interested in law school and why you wish to practice the type of law you are aiming to practice.
It is an excellent idea to work and volunteer during your time as an undergrad, as it will expose you to a wide variety of individuals and experiences. This is excellent for your growth as a student and a person, but also as a future law school applicant. It also demonstrates that you are able to handle many responsibilities at once, as law school proves to be a challenging and busy time for most students. Don’t let that scare you!
See our volunteer opportunities database by area, and by field of interest. Click on the law tab and search for the area in which you live for opportunities close to you. Feel free to check out tabs from other fields of interest if you believe that there is a cause you are passionate about represented elsewhere, or ask the director of mentorship services to assist you in finding an opportunity that fits your desires!
Taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
This examination assesses the skills that will be crucial for success in your first year of law school. It assess whether you are ready to begin law school. The components of the LSAT includes assessments of…
Reading comprehension
Analytical reasoning
Logical reasoning
Writing
There are many resources available to help you succeed on the LSAT. How you choose to study and when is up to individual preference. Below are some links that may be helpful for your research. When we confirm contacts for those working in law, they will likely also have excellent input. We also recommend reaching out to your departmental advisors, as they are specialized in this field.
Applying to Law School
The Law School Admission Council is an excellent resource when it comes to applying to law school. We at HEARO did not feel we needed to expand on their resources. If you have any questions or want to talk through your options, reach out to our director of mentorship or to your mentor, if you’ve been paired with one.
Passing the Bar - What the Heck Actually Is The Bar?
Admission to the bar is conducted via the Board of Bar Examiners of the state in which you are applying. While the admission process may vary significantly from state to state, the process usually involves:
Applying to sit for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and taking the MPRE
Applying to sit for the bar exam and taking the bar exam; and
Completing your state’s character and fitness process and any additional admission prerequisites.
The bar exam is offered twice per year – once in February and once in July. It is generally a two-day examination, although it lasts three days in some jurisdictions. There are two types of bar exams: UBE (Uniform Bar Examination) and non-UBE. UBE exams are always on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. Most non-UBE jurisdictions follow the UBE’s schedule.
Though the format varies by jurisdiction, components may include:
MBE: The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), a six-hour, two-hundred question multiple-choice examination covering civil procedure, contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, evidence, and real property.
MPT: The Multistate Performance Test (MPT), two 90-minute skills questions covering factual analysis, legal analysis and reasoning, problem solving, identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas, written communication, and organization and management of a legal task.
MEE: The Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), a three-hour, six-question essay examination covering the following areas of law: business associations, civil procedure, conflict of laws, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, evidence, family law, real property, secured transactions, torts, and trusts and estates.
State-specific multiple choice and essays: Check with your local state bar.
UBE: The UBE is a two-day exam composed of the MBE, MPT and MEE. The MEE and MPT are taken on the first day, and the MBE on the second day.
When you are in law school and graduating, you will likely receive guidance from peers and faculty on studying for the bar and applying to take the bar examination. You will be highly supported in how to start your career post-graduation.
L.L.M - A Specialized Law Degree for Practice of Specialized Law
This resource explains the intricacies of this degree better than we at HEARO ever could! Feel free to peruse and if you have any questions or concerns, reach out to our team.
Careers in Law Not Requiring a J.D. or L.L.M. - Alternative Options
There are many ways to engage with your passions for law and justice without going to law school - there are so many individuals that are integral parts of the law workforce that have never gone to law school, or do not have the desire to!
Although there are many different careers, we will outline a few specific careers below…
Paralegals
Notaries
Court stenographers
Becoming a Paralegal
In some states, a certification may be required to work as a paralegal. A quick google search with ‘paralegal’ and your state of residence can assist you in knowing whether a certification is required.
Paralegals are essential parts of the everyday lives of lawyers - many individuals work as paralegals for their entire career or become paralegals in preparation for law school. A paralegal completes many tasks including…
Assisting lawyers and helping them prepare for trials, hearings, and depositions
Conduct research and gather evidence
Write and revise legal documents
In terms of education, you don’t need a bachelor's degree to do this job, but law firms typically prefer it if applicants have a bachelor's degree. In theory, your bachelors degree could be in any discipline to become a paralegal but again, law firms may prefer a bachelor's degree in a field related to law and/or volunteer experience relevant to the field of law or to public relations.
Advice From A Paralegal
Name: Brianna Cruz (pictured here with her daughter, Botita!)
Institution: University of Washington: Psychology & Political Science Major
Current Profession: Immigration law paralegal
What extracurriculars did you engage with during undergrad that prepared you for your current job?: "I didn't do too many extracurriculars because I was working two jobs to support myself. I was a part of UW Democrats and tried to do any sort of political activities I could. The pandemic really put a damper on many of my potential experiences. I was worried going into job searching because I felt I didn't have the background some of my classmates did like leadership roles, volunteer hours, etc. I feel really lucky to have the job I do now.
How did you chose that you wanted to be a paralegal over another pre-law career?: "I ended up graduating and everyone in my family pushed for immediate law school transfer - I was not like NOT YET! Anytime I spoke with law students, they urged me to take gap years. I felt like I was at a point of burn out. There really is no rush and law school is a hard three years. I wanted to gain experience and felt like my application to law school would be weak - if I went into the work field and showed law schools that there was something I was passionate about, I would feel more confident about my abilities going in. I applied really widely to paralegal jobs, receptionist positions, etc. It's a hard job and it can be stressful but I really do feel like I am making an impact. On the days where I doubt myself, I talk with my clients and they provide gratitude and recognition and it reminds me why I do what I do."
What are your favorite parts and least favorite parts of the job?: "My favorite part is getting to hear client's stories. I feel like filling out forms all day makes me distant so I really like when I am able to connect with them. I feel grateful that they are willing to share their stories with me and not just their attorney. My least favorite parts would be making a bunch of tiny phone calls throughout my day. I have a LOT of tiny phone calls and it feels like it takes up so much time!
What advice do you have for aspiring pre-law students or paralegals?: "I know it's difficult but believe in yourself. If you want to be a lawyer or anything related, a big piece of advice I've been given is that first and foremost, you are an advocate. So if you are passionate about this and you want to advocate for other people, the most important place to start that advocacy is to advocate for yourself. I was a first generation student, a transplant to Seattle, all on my own. Proving to myself that this is something I am serious about, despite hardship, is important and hopefully, law schools will take note of that as I am applying."
Listen to the rest of Brianna's Interview HERE.
Becoming a Notary
Notaries are a crucial part of the legal system and are often a very important part of assuring the legal system runs smoothly. They are responsible for…
Verifies and attests the identity and willingness of an individual signing legally binding paperwork
Meets legal clients in a variety of locations in order to facilitate the signing and review of legal documentation
There is no specific education required for notaries but it is recommended that aspiring notaries take a notary education course for their own awareness and confidence. See a list of education programs here.
Here is a link to a website that describes how to become a notary in Washington state perfectly.
Becoming a Court Stenographer
We at HEARO felt this website explains this PERFECTLY! Here’s a resource link. If you need guidance beyond this, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Resource Bank & References
Here are some helpful links to resources on topics that we at HEARO did not feel adequately trained to provide information on.
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