What jobs are available for me if I have a JD but am not a licensed attorney?

Question

I am a recent law school graduate with plans on taking the bar, but realistically minded enough to realize I may not pass it. If this happens and I don't want to go through the whole process again, what other jobs (beside a contract administrator) are available for JD's who aren't licensed attorneys? Back when I started law school I kept being told there is SOOO much I can do with my degree, but the cupboard seems to be pretty bare lately. Help! (And if you know of one of these jobs in the Austin, TX area, for God's sake, let me know!)

Answer 1

Paralegal and research assistant are the most common. As long as you are working for an attorney, and the attorney is reviewing your work, most areas of legal scholarship as available. And both corporations and law firms can always use legals assistant.

Law degrees are also useful in political pursuits, working as a legislative aide or working for companies that do legislative history and background checks. Or you can go into legal publishing. Nolo press is Texas, and they always can use editors and copyreaders.

Many options available. But don't give up on the bar yet. I know many competent and qualified attorneys who didn't pass on their first try, and are now decades into their practices.

Answer 2

If you have decent grades, chances are a law firm will hire you as an attorney (technically with the title law clerk) prior to your passing the bar. You'll be paid the same salary as a first year attorney, and do the same work, but the firm will expect you to pass the exam quickly.

Otherwise you can seek employment as a paralegal...but, you've paid the price and done the work - why not go for the full prize? In the mean time, consult your law schol's alumni office for some specific advice.

Answer 3

There are a lot of jobs in corporate America being held by non-licensed law school graduates. Your law school training helps you to recognize areas where your employer might have a risk of liability and take steps to avoid the error so that no one has to hire an attorney to clean up the mess afterwards. Bank officers are one area but look around you at companies that have high liability - pharmaceuticals, real estate development, commercial construction - and look at their organizational structure. That may be your new office.

Answer 4

Title company examiner
Administrative law judge
Paralegal
Public or private law librarian
Law professor or private tutor
Elected legislative or executive office (not everyone likes lawyers, ya know ^_^)
Police officer

Just a few. But don't sell yourself short on the bar exam. Some people take it several times and do eventually pass.

And no, I don't know anyone in Austin. But state government merit system clerical jobs might be available there.