Careers in Law
Whether you prefer writing and researching or would rather present a case in front of a judge, there are legal careers for all kinds of interests and skills. All law careers involve problem-solving, communicating, and, most importantly, helping people.
Areas of Law
Areas of law cover specific topics and issues. Attorneys can specialize in an area of law, and other professionals, like paralegals, can also work in specific areas. This is not a complete list of every legal field. There are areas of law for just about every interest and topic!
To become an attorney within a certain field, earn a bachelor’s degree then a JD (Juris Doctor) degree from an accredited law school. There is no required major to go to law school, and attorneys can come from any professional background. For example, many intellectual property attorneys have experience in science and engineering. While in law school, take relevant electives and seek out related internship and externship opportunities to specialize in an area of law.
Agricultural Law
Agricultural law professionals provide legal services to farmers and the agriculture industry.
Civil Rights Law
Civil rights law professionals help people who have been victims of discrimination based on a protected status, including disability, religion, gender, or race.
Constitutional Law
Constitutional law evaluates whether a citizen’s constitutional rights have been violated by some action taken against them.
Environmental Law
Environmental law is a broad field that includes pollution control, natural resource protection, and energy use.
Family Law
Family law professionals deal with cases about family issues, including divorce, child custody, and domestic violence.
Immigration Law
Immigration law professionals help clients live, work, and become United States citizens in accordance with the law.
Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property law protects creative works, including music, inventions, art, books, and logos, from being copied or stolen.
Careers in Law
Careers in law are specific jobs and positions in the legal field. Law is a very specialized field. Just like the medical field, people interested in practicing law study and train so they can develop the skills and knowledge to better help people. Some careers require a law degree, called a Juris Doctor (JD), but going to law school is not the only path to a career in law. In fact, the legal system relies on many different careers to keep the legal process running smoothly.
Help Your Community
The state of Ohio has 88 counties with a population of 12 million people. But 82 of those counties, home to over half of Ohio’s population, do not have enough attorneys to represent all their residents. Counties should have at least 1 attorney for every 700 residents. Some of Ohio’s most underserved rural counties only have 1 attorney for every 3,000 residents.
A shortage of attorneys means that Ohioans have trouble finding the help they need and the attorneys in rural areas are spread thin. Ohio residents living in rural communities need more attorneys who can help with legal matters involving health care, housing, estate planning, food assistance, criminal defense, juvenile cases, and family disputes. If you have a passion for helping people improve their lives, you can help solve this problem!
Practicing law in a rural area is a rewarding way to make a difference in the community. Becoming an attorney in Ohio requires a college degree and a law degree, but if you are in middle or high school, you can take steps now to see if a career in law is right for you.
- Ask your guidance counselor to help you attend a career day sponsored by a nearby Bar Association.
- Schedule a campus visit to an Ohio college or university to speak to a pre-law admissions counselor.
- Join your school’s Mock Trial club. If your school does not have one, talk to a teacher about starting one.
- Contact a local attorney or a court administrator at your county courthouse to schedule a job shadow.
Attorneys
Attorneys provide legal advice to people and businesses and can represent clients in court cases and private negotiations. The terms "attorney" and "lawyer" are often used interchangeably.
Bailiff
Bailiffs are responsible for keeping order in a courtroom. Their responsibilities and roles can vary between different courts across the state.
Court Interpreter
Court interpreters translate for clients with limited English or who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Court Security Officer
Court security officers ensure the safety of everyone in the court building.
Law Clerks
Law clerks, also called judicial attorneys, work with judges or Supreme Court justices.
Law School Staff
Law school staff includes professors and administrative professionals who prepare the next generation of legal professionals.
Public Defender
Public defenders represent people accused or convicted of crimes who cannot afford to hire their own attorney.
Nonprofit Attorneys
Nonprofit attorneys work for organizations that exist to serve a public
Victim Advocate
Victim advocates provide support services to people who are victims or witnesses of crimes.
Law Schools
Ohio is home to nine law schools. Law schools offer Juris Doctor (JD) degrees, master’s degrees, and certificate programs. A JD is required to become an attorney. Some law schools have combined bachelor’s and JD programs designed to fast-track a legal career at a lower cost. To learn more about each school and their programs, visit their admissions website.
Programs for criminal justice, paralegal studies, and other careers in law are offered at colleges and universities throughout Ohio. Ask your guidance counselor or local career center for more information.
Capital University: Law School - Columbus, OH
Case Western Reserve University: School of Law - Cleveland, OH
Cleveland State University: Cleveland-Marshall College of Law – Cleveland, OH
Ohio Northern University: Claude W. Pettit College of Law – Ada, OH
Ohio State University: Moritz College of Law - Columbus, OH
University of Akron: C. Blake McDowell Law Center – Akron, OH
University of Cincinnati: College of Law – Cincinatti, OH
University of Dayton: School of Law - Dayton, OH
University of Toledo: College of Law – Toledo, OH
Future of Careers in Law
No one has a crystal ball to see what law careers will look like in the future, but it will be no surprise that technology will have a big impact on how we practice law and navigate the justice system. And you can play a part!
Just like any other job, technology has already made big changes to careers in law, and more changes are sure to come. With new advancements in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and more, the legal field will be developing and using new technologies to better serve society. This innovation comes with challenges, including privacy, ethics, and cybersecurity. The legal field is looking for professionals with expertise in these areas… and that could be you!
If you want to help people and are interested in…
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Information Technology
- Computer Science or Engineering
… then you could make a big impact on the future of the legal field!