What jobs do people get right out of law school?
Asked by: Brandy Kuphal | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (61 votes)
Right out of law school, graduates often become associate attorneys in private firms (big law or small/midsize), work in government (prosecutors, public defenders, agency roles), or pursue public interest jobs (nonprofits, fellowships), but many also enter JD Advantage roles like compliance, HR, or consulting, or take judicial clerkships, leveraging their legal skills in various sectors beyond traditional practice.
What jobs can you get after law school?
Top 10 Alternative Careers for Law Degree Holders
- Business Consultant. For legal professionals with business insight, consulting is a natural fit. ...
- Entrepreneur. ...
- Legal Journalist. ...
- Legal Marketer & Content Writer. ...
- Law Professor or Educator. ...
- Arbitrator or Mediator. ...
- Human Resources Leader. ...
- Project Manager.
Do you get a job right out of law school?
Graduates of high-ranked law schools usually have job offers by the time they graduate. Within a year of graduating, at least 85--90% are employed as lawyers or have JD-advantage jobs.
What is a good job to have while in law school?
Law-related: Summer associate/intern at law firms Paralegal or legal assistant roles (part-time during term) Clerkships with judges (often during breaks; paid or unpaid) Research assistant for a professor Public-interest internships or clinics Non-law: Retail, hospitality, tutoring, delivery, freelancing, gig work.
Which job is best after a law degree?
- ADVOCATE : - Out of the many opportunities after LLB, advocacy is the most recognized profession chosen by LLB graduates. ...
- LEGAL ADVISOR : - A legal advisor is a highly sought after profession. ...
- TEACHER : - ...
- LEGAL ANALYST : - ...
- LEGAL RESEARCHER : - ...
- GOVERNMENT SERVICES : - ...
- CORPORATE COUNSELLOR : - ...
- COMPANY SECRETARY : -
Job Options After Law School.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
How do 98% of graduates fail to get into India's top law firms?
Internships and mock trials are helpful, but many graduates lack enough true exposure to the daily working of a top firm. Understanding firm culture, managing client expectations, and handling high-pressure situations – these are things one learns by doing, not just by reading.
How do people survive financially in law school?
Student loans provide a financial fallback for many law students. Barring a full scholarship, there's a decent chance you'll need to take out some loans to cover your education and living costs.
Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?
Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, often reflecting experience, specialization, and location, falling at the higher end of average rates ($100-$400+) but can be standard or even considered a "deal" for highly specialized work in major cities, while being quite expensive in other areas or for less complex cases. Factors like the firm's size, location (big city vs. rural), the lawyer's expertise (e.g., corporate, IP vs. family law), and case complexity greatly influence this rate.
Is a law degree useful outside of law?
While many individuals who obtain a law degree become lawyers or work in the legal field, there are numerous other industries where this degree can be advantageous. A law degree can be an asset in business, finance, politics, and healthcare.
What do the top 1% of lawyers make?
The top 1% of lawyers earn well into the high six figures to millions annually, with top "Big Law" associates hitting $400k+ quickly, and partners/specialists (like patent attorneys) exceeding $500k-$1M+, depending heavily on location, firm size (Big Law pays most), and specialization (corporate, IP, tax). Entry-level salaries at top firms can start around $215k+, while partners in successful firms can earn $500k to over $1M.
What percent of people fail law school?
How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
Is it difficult to find a job after law school?
Graduating from law school is an impressive accomplishment, but it can sometimes be challenging for graduates to find work after they complete their degrees. Some graduates work in seemingly unrelated fields or pursue additional qualifications before becoming a lawyer.
Is law school very difficult?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
What are common mistakes law graduates make?
Focusing Too Much on Academics. Law firms expect strong academics—but that's just the starting point. Many graduates make the mistake of using precious application space to list grades and subjects without offering any insight into their personal qualities, professional experiences, or motivation.
Can you make $500,000 as a lawyer?
Yes, a lawyer can absolutely make $500,000 or more annually, especially by specializing in high-value fields like corporate law or personal injury, joining "Big Law" firms, becoming a partner, focusing on complex cases, developing strong client acquisition strategies, and building a successful practice with effective marketing. While most lawyers earn less, top earners leverage experience, strategic growth, and high-paying niches to reach this income level, with some senior Big Law associates and partners earning well over $500k.
Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer or attorney?
No, Kim Kardashian is not yet a lawyer or attorney; she is still working towards passing the California Bar Exam, having recently failed it again in late 2025, despite completing her legal studies through an apprenticeship program and passing the \"baby bar\" in 2021. She consistently expresses her commitment to becoming a licensed attorney, viewing her setbacks as motivation to keep studying for the full bar exam.
Is 27 too late for law school?
No, 27 is not too old for law school; in fact, life and work experience gained by that age are often seen as advantages, making you more focused and mature than many younger students, with many older students finding fulfilling careers and succeeding in law school. While the average student might be younger, a significant portion of law students are 30 or older, and your maturity, different perspective, and practicality can strengthen your application and your experience in law school.
What is the 50/30/20 rule for college students?
The 50/30/20 rule for college students is a simple budgeting method: allocate 50% of your after-tax income to Needs (tuition, rent, groceries, transport), 30% to Wants (dining out, entertainment, shopping), and 20% to Savings/Debt (emergency fund, loan repayment, future goals). It helps manage money by categorizing spending, but percentages can be adjusted to fit individual situations, like high living costs or significant debt.
Is a lawyer a 9 to 5 job?
Lawyers often work five or even six days a week. According to the 2022 Legal Trends Report, 74% of attorneys make themselves available on weekends to meet client demands.
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
Why is Gen Z struggling to get jobs?
Gen Z struggles to find jobs due to a shrinking pool of entry-level roles, increased competition, a shift to skills-based hiring favoring older workers, and AI impacting junior positions, alongside employer concerns about perceived lack of motivation or professionalism, while economic factors and over-hiring by companies post-pandemic also tighten the market, making it harder for young people to get their foot in the door.
Is 25 too late for a first job?
In truth, the concept of being 'too late' to embark on a new career journey at 25 is a myth that requires debunking.