how to find a job as a new attorney

by Kenneth Schmeler 6 min read

Visit your law school’s career services office. It is literally our job to help you get jobs—take advantage! Ask for lists of employers where students and graduates have gone to work. This will help you learn which law firms may be interested in hiring students from your school. Look up alumni from your law school on LinkedIn.

Find the right firms
  1. Visit your law school's career services office. It is literally our job to help you get jobs—take advantage! ...
  2. Look up alumni from your law school on LinkedIn. ...
  3. Try using a reputable legal search engine, such as Martindale, to search for law firms by practice area, size, and/or location.

Full Answer

Where can I apply for a job as a lawyer?

Landing a job in law can be a long process, and often, there are challenges you have to address. FindLaw’s How to Find a Legal Job section offers advice and resources for attorneys at every stage of their career; whether they are students looking for an internship, graduates just starting out and trying to land their first job, or experienced attorneys looking for a new opportunity.

How do I find a law firm for experience?

For new attorneys searching for a legal internship or their first legal job, it is often difficult to know where to begin. FindLaw’s The Legal Job Search: Young Attorneys addresses this issue and the many other questions that can arise when undertaking your first job search like: landing a summer internship, how to overcome mediocre grades, where to start searching, what …

What can I do to help a lawyer?

Only LawCrossing consolidates every job it can find in the legal industry and puts all of the job listings it locates in one place. We have more than 25 times as many legal jobs as any other job board. We list jobs you will not find elsewhere that are hidden in small regional publications and employer websites.

How do I find a remote job as a lawyer?

A quick look on job sites like Indeed shows plenty of listings for full-time attorney work from home positions. Armed with your legal education, professional experience, and fine-tuned skill set, there are many work from home lawyer jobs available to you: Attorney. With today’s technology and telecommuting options, there are many associate attorney jobs from home to explore. …

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Is it hard for lawyers to get a job?

It's easy to find a job as a lawyer, right? Not necessarily. Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all the graduating law school students.Jun 2, 2017

What is the easiest job as a lawyer?

However, there are many sectors of law which are less stressful:Real estate law.Intellectual property law.High Street family law.Government lawyers.Working In-House.Jul 9, 2021

How do I get a job after law?

Career Path After Law in India – Top OptionsAdvocate. Advocacy is one of the chief professions chosen by LLB graduates. ... Government Services. Students can opt to join Government Services after completing their LLB. ... Legal Advisor. ... Judiciary. ... Teaching. ... Legal Outsourcing. ... Private Companies. ... Higher Education.More items...•May 22, 2019

What is the closest job to a lawyer?

Alternative jobs for lawyersParalegal.Investigator.Investment consultant.Mediator.Fund manager.Financial analyst.Realtor.Labor relations specialist.More items...•Feb 22, 2021

What lawyers are the happiest?

The happiest attorneys, therefore, are those who experience a cultural fit. This means they work for firms where they are free to act independently, do work that matters to them and collaborate on teams with people who complement their personality and communication style.

What field of law is most in demand?

Most in-demand practice areasCommercial law.Litigation.Real estate law.Intellectual property.Family law.

What is the highest paid attorney?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaPatent attorney: $180,000.Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.Trial attorneys: $134,000.Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.More items...•Dec 14, 2021

Can I do LLB along with job?

You can pursue. Yes you can approach any law college and apply for education. 1) LLB being a Full Time course CANNOT be done simultaneously with ANY GOVERNMENT JOB as Bar Council of India Does Not permit so.May 4, 2020

Is law a good career for the future?

A lawyer gets to work on various legal issues and it helps in earning the respect of the clients along with an opportunity to get good perks. It is a very secured job, if you are a good lawyer and have made a name for yourself in legal circles, because people will always need legal advice and help.Sep 3, 2019

What are three similar occupations to a lawyer?

Similar OccupationsOccupationJob Duties2020 MEDIAN PAYJudges and Hearing OfficersJudges and hearing officers apply the law by overseeing the legal process in courts.$124,200Paralegals and Legal AssistantsParalegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.$52,9202 more rows•Sep 8, 2021

What Can You Do With a law Degree other than be a lawyer?

Such alternative legal careers include working as a pre-trial services officer; as an asylum officer or customs officer; working in law enforcement or prisons; working as a legislative aid or analyst; working as an accident reconstructionist; working in the trust department of banks; becoming a civil/immigration rights ...

What is an alternative lawyer?

Abstract: Alternative or developmental lawyering is the practice of law fundamentally for individuals, communities and sectors that have been historically, culturally and economically marginalized and disenfranchised.

How To Excel in Law Firm Interviews

We have seen the same scenario repeat itself over and over again. We send a highly qualified candidate out on an interview, only to later learn that a job offer was never extended.

How valuable is a LL.M. in a particular field?

How valuable is earning an LL.M. in a particular field (such as international business and trade law, or intellectual property law just to cite two examples) in improving an entry level lawyer’s marketability? There is no question that an LL.M.

How Employers See You

You need to remember that the largest most prestigious and highest-paying law firms (with some exceptions), generally look for graduates from the "Top 15" or "Top 25" law schools.

The BCG Attorney Search Guide to Class Ranking Distinctions and Law Review Membership

This is an introduction to the The 2004 BCG Attorney Search Guide to Class Ranking Distinctions and Law Review Admission at America's Top 50 Law.

How to Land a Job as a Recent Law Grad with Little Experience

I am a recent law school graduate who is admitted to the Bar in Massachusetts. Despite my high grades in law school, I do not seem to be able to find a position as an attorney. All firms require one or more years of experience.

Setting Realistic Career Goals

My fear is that I have incredible advocacy, litigation, speaking, and interpersonal skills that I will never be allowed to use in the legal profession because there are so many doors closed to someone with my grades. Can you give me the straight story on what my options are?

How Can a Tier-3 Law School Grad Break in to the Big Show?

What is the best way to move from a mid-sized boutique firm into a large national law firm, if I graduated from a tier III school?

How do I start my job search?

Job seekers often start by reaching out to their personal and professional networks. Make sure your connections know you’re looking for a work-from-home opportunity, and someone may just help connect you with your next great opportunity. Beyond that, your search will likely begin with online job ads.

What to know when working remotely as an attorney?

When you’re working remotely as an attorney, it’s critical to show that you’re cognizant of current legal tech tools and that you know security best practices. This shows hiring managers that you won’t require extensive training to learn how to use the tech needed to work from home, which is a huge plus for any firm or organization.

What is practicing law?

Practicing law is, at its core, like a master class in writing, risk assessment, and account management. These skills can be applied to many legal jobs, and even in a non-legal-role as well. And there are many roles that also offer you the flexibility to work from home. A quick look on job sites like Indeed shows plenty ...

What is a lawclerk?

LAWCLERK is an online platform that supports freelance for law professionals. Freelance lawyers can apply for flat-fee legal projects and be hired by attorneys. Clio’s LAWCLERK integration makes it easier and more efficient for Clio attorneys to work with freelance lawyers.

How to handle yourself under challenging circumstances?

Regardless of the reason why you (or your potential new employer) are working remotely, be in the moment, be flexible, and show that you can adapt to things like changing schedules throughout the process.

Do hiring managers look you up?

When you’re looking for full-time work, hiring managers will absolutely look you up. Before you start hunting for online jobs for attorneys, use these tips to make sure your LinkedIn profile is professional and up to date .

What is InCloud Counsel?

Focused on automating and enhancing high-volume legal processes, InCloud Counsel helps attorneys specialized in a specific legal document and contract types find remote jobs. Currently, InCloudCounsel is seeking attorneys with corporate law experience, and experience with large international law firms.

What is a lawyer?

Lawyers are employed in law firms or private practices and usually advise clients about their legal issues and how to move forward. Attorneys consult with clients like lawyers do, but are much more likely to go beyond the initial consultation and represent the client in courtroom proceedings.

What is the job of a contract lawyer?

Primary duties: A contracts lawyer helps individual clients or businesses with problems relating to contracts. They provide advice from a legal standpoint on whether or not to agree to and sign a contract, or can help a client figure out how to combat a contract that they have already signed.

What is a counsel lawyer?

Counsels are lawyers who are employed by a company or organization. Not being employed at a law firm, counsels act solely on behalf of that company or organization. These three lawyer titles within the legal field present unique work opportunities and distinct salary differences to those employed in them.

What is an associate attorney?

Primary duties: An associate attorney is an entry-level role, usually employed at law firms. They assist in selecting juries, represent clients in court, help clients negotiate contracts or settle corporate disputes. Associate Attorneys can be employed in different types of law, including corporate, real estate, family, and copyright cases.

What is the role of associate general counsel?

Primary duties: An associate general counsel is a type of lawyer who represents an individual client or organization in court, advise s them on potential legal actions that could result from malpractice and works with a team, usually through a law firm, to build a strong case that will be used to represent a client in the courtroom.

How much does an intellectual property lawyer make?

National average salary: $77,780 per year. Primary duties: An intellectual property lawyer is hired to help an individual client or company on issues related to intellectual property rights and trademarks.

What is the job of a bankruptcy paralegal?

Primary duties: Bankruptcy paralegals assist bankruptcy lawyers in providing clients with advice on their financial situation, if they are eligible to file for bankruptcy, what type of bankruptcy would be the most helpful for them, and provide information on how to file for bankruptcy.

What is the FindLaw Career Center?

The FindLaw Career Center provides a wide range of career resources on topics such as legal career management, legal career assessment, legal career options, and how to find a legal job. No doubt you will likely face a variety of crossroads throughout your career: finding a job, changing jobs, managing work-life balance, or finding the right career path. FindLaw’s Career Center is here to help you every step of the way.

Who wrote "Find satisfaction in the law"?

Find Satisfaction In the Law: Taking Control over Your Career and Your Life Self-Assessment II: The Value of Not Killing a Mockingbird By Mark L. Byers, Ph.D. and Ronald W.

Find the right firms

How do you go about finding a law firm to work at when you have no experience? There are actually several resources you can rely on:

Get your résumé ready

You can take comfort in knowing that most students come to law school with little or no real legal experience. That’s totally okay—but it doesn’t mean your résumé should be a blank page.

Volunteer your services

When you have no real legal experience under your belt, it may be prudent to volunteer part-time for a short period of time during the summer, when classes are not in session, perhaps for eight to ten weeks. This is often a great way to gain some relevant hands-on legal experience.

Conduct targeted outreach

Once you have a list of law firms you’d like to work for, find someone at the law firm who has “hiring power.” This is someone who can make a decision as to which interns should be hired.

Who needs luck when you have strategy?

Over the years, I have suggested this strategy to many law students with no experience, and you may be surprised by how well it works! I even had a student land a summer internship at a law firm in Paris this way. (He contacted five law firms in France. Two responded to him. And one hired him!)

Why do law firms exist?

Law firms only exist due to paying clients. The people who do the work are a cost center that takes away from the profits of the law firm. Senior attorneys who do not bring in business are a cost center for law firms. In addition, senior attorneys traditionally have much higher billing rates than junior attorneys.

Who is Harrison Barnes?

Harrison Barnes is the founder of LawCrossing and an internationally recognized expert in attorney search and placement. Harrison is extremely committed to and passionate about the profession of legal placement. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. LawCrossing has been ranked on the Inc. 500 twice. For more information, please visit Harrison Barnes’ bio.

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