Alternative Legal Careers Forum

[ryry0613]

Has anyone ever looked into the prospect of searching for jobs after obtaining a JD degree however; without necessarily being licensed to practice law? For example many law students graduate from a lower tier school and have difficulty obtaining work formally as an attorney and others may not be admitted to the bar for various reasons ie: substance abuse issues or a criminal record. It seems as though many job opportunities exist in the insurance and banking industries, writing contracts, reviewing financial documents etc... I am applying to law school shortly and considering alternative law careers.

[Grazzhoppa]

if you can't become a lawyer you shouldn't go to law school.

[whereskyle]

if you can't become a lawyer you shouldn't go to law school.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't hear from folks doing related work, if anybody can chime in. Of course, one shouldn't apply to ls, if one does not intend to practice law.

[bk1]

It seems as though many job opportunities exist in the insurance and banking industries, writing contracts, reviewing financial documents etc.

Most of these jobs are for lawyers and few of them are available to fresh law grads.

[ryry0613]

After further research it appears that using a JD without bar admission appears to be relatively common. Document review jobs are available at larger businesses which doesn't require lecensure and many firms are willing to accept a JD instead of an MBA, though typically these jobs pay less than what being admitted as an attorney would entail. Insurance companies also hire JD's to determine contract liabilities.

[Tom Joad]

But then you wouldn't be an Attorney at Law.

[Duchovnysfan]

I'd only recommend law school to anyone where their first priority is being an attorney. Anything else you are wasting your time and $$$$$

Law school is professional school like med school. You definitely don't see MDs looking for alternate careers they want to be doctors

[prezidentv8]

Has anyone ever looked into the prospect of searching for jobs after obtaining a JD degree however; without necessarily being licensed to practice law? For example many law students graduate from a lower tier school and have difficulty obtaining work formally as an attorney and others may not be admitted to the bar for various reasons ie: substance abuse issues or a criminal record. It seems as though many job opportunities exist in the insurance and banking industries, writing contracts, reviewing financial documents etc... I am applying to law school shortly and considering alternative law careers.

OH THE HUMANITY

[Quiet Batperson]

After further research it appears that using a JD without bar admission appears to be relatively common. Document review jobs are available at larger businesses which doesn't require lecensure and many firms are willing to accept a JD instead of an MBA, though typically these jobs pay less than what being admitted as an attorney would entail. Insurance companies also hire JD's to determine contract liabilities.

That's news to me. Where are you seeing these postings?

[ryry0613]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

[Tom Joad]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

It ain't easy to get these jobs, brej.

[ryry0613]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

It ain't easy to get these jobs, brej.

True, but if a JD and an MBA both applied to a contract manager review job, a jd would already know everything necessary regarding the legality of a business contract whereas an MBA just recieves a broad education in business management. At least with a jd you recieve a skill you can use in the business world and law.

[Tom Joad]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

It ain't easy to get these jobs, brej.

True, but if a JD and an MBA both applied to a contract manager review job, a jd would already know everything necessary regarding the legality of a business contract whereas an MBA just recieves a broad education in business management. At least with a jd you recieve a skill you can use in the business world and law.

You aren't serious, right?

[ryry0613]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

It ain't easy to get these jobs, brej.

True, but if a JD and an MBA both applied to a contract manager review job, a jd would already know everything necessary regarding the legality of a business contract whereas an MBA just recieves a broad education in business management. At least with a jd you recieve a skill you can use in the business world and law.

You aren't serious, right?

Of course im serious an individual with a law degree is obviously going to be more familiar with contract law than someone else

[Tom Joad]

You don't need to be an attorney to write a contract.

[ryry0613]

You don't need to be an attorney to write a contract.

Absolutely correct however,document reviewers ensure the terms of the contract are in fact legal and in compliance with government regulations.

[guano]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

It ain't easy to get these jobs, brej.

True, but if a JD and an MBA both applied to a contract manager review job, a jd would already know everything necessary regarding the legality of a business contract whereas an MBA just recieves a broad education in business management. At least with a jd you recieve a skill you can use in the business world and law.

But the MBA will understand the purpose of the contract better
(Not to mention that many MBA programs require at least one law course)

[Danger Zone]

You don't need to be an attorney to write a contract.

Absolutely correct however,document reviewers ensure the terms of the contract are in fact legal and in compliance with government regulations.

That's not what doc reviewers do.

[stillwater]

You don't need to be an attorney to write a contract.

Absolutely correct however,document reviewers ensure the terms of the contract are in fact legal and in compliance with government regulations.

That's not what doc reviewers do.

doc review is cockroach

[Kafkaesquire]

Compliance, medicine....

[englawyer]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

It ain't easy to get these jobs, brej.

True, but if a JD and an MBA both applied to a contract manager review job, a jd would already know everything necessary regarding the legality of a business contract whereas an MBA just recieves a broad education in business management. At least with a jd you recieve a skill you can use in the business world and law.

But the MBA will understand the purpose of the contract better
(Not to mention that many MBA programs require at least one law course)

that is probably not true. TTT MBA's are on the same level as TTT JD's. MBA is only useful if you go to the top programs, and its useful there because of networking circles and prestige. I don't think there are any MBA-related skills or knowledge that a smart JD could not pick up in a few weeks. See eg, McKinsey "mini MBA" where they teach you the entire MBA curriculum in like 3 weeks or something like that (http://mld.mckinsey.com/sites/default/f ... ochure.pdf)

[TheWeeIceMon]

Compliance, medicine....

I'd love to know how to get into medicine with a JD...

[Kafkaesquire]

Compliance, medicine....

I'd love to know how to get into medicine with a JD...

That's simple. Get your JD. Though not necessarily there physically, your JD with be with you figuratively as you go through medical school. If you get through medical school with your JD, you can get into medicine with your JD.

[Teoeo]

Went to several job search engines and I simply searched for "JD preferred". The pay still seems better at the larger law firms as an attorney but a law degree seems as though it can be used similar to an MBA as well.

It ain't easy to get these jobs, brej.

True, but if a JD and an MBA both applied to a contract manager review job, a jd would already know everything necessary regarding the legality of a business contract whereas an MBA just recieves a broad education in business management. At least with a jd you recieve a skill you can use in the business world and law.

You are completely and utterly wrong. It sounds like you are trying to convince yourself rather than getting real advice. Do not go to law school unless you want to practice law as an attorney.

[TheWeeIceMon]

Compliance, medicine....

I'd love to know how to get into medicine with a JD...

That's simple. Get your JD. Though not necessarily there physically, your JD with be with you figuratively as you go through medical school. If you get through medical school with your JD, you can get into medicine with your JD.

Wut? That's not an alternative legal career. That's an entirely new career.