Private Practice
Includes all positions with a law firm, including solo practitioner, associate, law clerk, paralegal and administrative or support staff. The work of a firm may include: Appellate Law, Bankruptcy Law, Civil Rights Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, Environmental Law, Labor and Employment, Intellectual Property Law, Products Liability, Securities Law, Tax Law, to name just a few.
Public Interest
Includes positions funded by legal services, pro-bono work and other civil, legal and indigent services, as well as positions with non-profit advocacy or cause-related organizations. The cases and causes are significant to the general public. Lawyer services in this sector may include working with disadvantaged populations, or public policy that may affect the population at large. Direct client work may include child advocacy, community development, education, public housing, government benefits, and immigration issues. Lawyers working in private firms may also have the opportunity to engage in public interest work through pro-bono projects which is coordinated through their employer or through professional associations.
Judicial Clerkships
One or two year appointments clerking for a judge on the federal, state or local level .In some cases at the state and local level, clerkship may be more permanent positions. Judicial clerkships are prized opportunities and are quite prestigious and competitive They are exposed to a wide range of legal issues with the opportunity to make direct contributions in the judicial decision-making process and are therefore sought after by firms.
Business & Industry
Includes positions in companies and organizations such as accounting firms, insurance companies, banking/ finance institutions, Fortune 500 corporations. Also included in this list are other organizations such as private hospitals, retail establishments, consulting and public realty firms, political campaigns, trade associations and labor unions, to name a few. Lawyers within this environment are referred to as ‘in house’ counsel. The business or organization is the primary employer and the work is done on behalf of this employer. Typically these positions are available to attorneys with 3-5 years of prior experience in a private or public setting.
Academia
Includes work as a law professor, law librarian, administrator or faculty member in higher education or other academic settings. Within an academic setting there are positions directly related to legal work such as teaching law or being part of a university’s legal staff within a Risk Management department or General Counsel Office. Additionally, administrative positions may include admissions work, career services, financial aid, and student affairs/services, as well as serving as a dean or other university leadership position.
