Law Schools

There are a variety of careers to choose from within law. The main professions include lawyers, court reporters, judges and paralegals. These occupations have very separate duties, but affect many facets of society.

Lawyers

Known also as attorneys, lawyers represent parties in civil and criminal trials and also serve as advisors. To become a lawyer a 4 year college degree, 3 years of law school, and passing the bar exam is required. In summary, it can take 7 plus years of school and any time needed to pass the bar examination in the state he/she wishes to practice in. The employment rate is expected to grow 11 percent, which is average for all occupations. This is due to the increase in cases and demand for legal services.

Court Reporters

The main duty of a court reporter is transcribing proceedings, conversations, and other events that assist with any judicial proceedings. In addition, court reporters, help judges with courtroom organizational concerns. Training for this position is offered at technical/vocational schools and can range from less than a year to a couple of years, depending on specialty. Licensure requirements vary by State. The employment rate is projected to grow 25 percent, which is more than the average. For those that are certified, job prospects are even better.

Judges

Judges preside over cases to ensure that hearings and trials are fair and legal rights are preserved. To become a judge, most require a Bachelor's degree, a law degree, and experience. There is much competition in this field and the employment rate is projected to grow slowly.

Paralegals

Paralegals with little or no experience are often given less demanding tasks, while experienced paralegals are often tasked with giving legal advice and/or gathering information for a case. Paralegal degree programs usually last two years and result in an Associate's degree. Click here for more information on paralegal degree programs.

If a law job interests you, find law schools and training programs nationwide. EmploymentGuide.com provides listings of on campus and online law degree classes. Start your new career now!