#FreshStart #LawDegree #JobSearch
If you find yourself in a situation where you have a law degree but no license, you may be wondering what your options are for finding a good job. It’s understandable to feel a bit lost and unsure of where to turn next, but there are actually plenty of opportunities out there for someone with your background. In this article, we’ll explore some potential career paths you could pursue and offer some tips on how to make the most of your law degree without a license.
**Exploring Career Options**
When it comes to finding a job with a law degree but no license, it’s important to think outside the box and consider a variety of industries and positions. Here are some potential career paths to explore:
1. **Compliance Officer**: Many companies and organizations are in need of compliance officers to ensure that they are following all relevant laws and regulations. With your legal background, you could be a valuable asset in this role.
2. **Legal Analyst**: As a legal analyst, you would be responsible for reviewing and analyzing legal documents, conducting research, and assisting with case preparation. This role would allow you to put your legal knowledge to good use without the need for a license.
3. **Contract Administrator**: Contract administrators are responsible for drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts. Your understanding of legal terminology and processes would be a valuable asset in this position.
4. **Risk Manager**: Risk managers are tasked with identifying and mitigating potential risks within an organization. Your legal background would give you a unique perspective on assessing and addressing these risks.
5. **Policy Analyst**: Policy analysts work to research and analyze government policies and regulations. Your legal expertise would be highly relevant in this role.
**Making the Most of Your Law Degree**
Even though you may not have a license, your law degree is still a valuable asset that can open doors for you in a variety of industries. Here are some tips on how to leverage your legal background in your job search:
1. **Highlight Your Skills**: When applying for jobs, make sure to emphasize your critical thinking, research, analytical, and communication skills. These skills are highly transferable and can benefit you in a wide range of roles.
2. **Network**: Reach out to your former colleagues, classmates, and professors to let them know that you’re looking for a new opportunity. Networking can be a powerful tool in finding job leads and opening up new possibilities.
3. **Consider Further Education**: If you’re interested in pursuing a different career path, consider further education or certifications that could enhance your skills and make you a more competitive candidate in your desired field.
4. **Seek Out Volunteer Opportunities**: Volunteering can be a great way to gain experience, build your network, and explore different career paths. Look for volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and goals.
5. **Stay Positive**: Remember that everyone faces challenges in their career journey, and setbacks can be a stepping stone to something better. Stay positive, stay determined, and keep moving forward towards your goals.
In conclusion, having a law degree without a license doesn’t mean that your career options are limited. By exploring different industries, highlighting your skills, and networking effectively, you can find a good job that aligns with your interests and goals. Remember that your law degree is a valuable asset that can open doors for you in a variety of roles, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box and pursue new opportunities. Good luck on your job search! 🌟
I’m a city planner in California. The field is becoming increasingly legalistic such that a law background would be seen as an asset by employers. I would absolutely want to interview somebody with a law degree. And since you don’t actually practice law as a city planner not being licensed isn’t relevant.
Most lawyers I know are great researchers and writers. Maybe you could look at being a proposal writer.
First: congrats on getting sober (if that’s the right term)….regardless, getting over your demons and getting a fresh start is awesome. Let’s pray the worst is behind you.
Second, Start small(ish) and have you considered (a) a second degree and (b) a career in civil service? Lawyers are in high demand in most state governments. Having the JD is a leg up for sure….know that everything behind you is something to leverage and build on! Keep going!!!
> Since I also don’t have a license and would have to retake the bar, I feel like the ship has sailed on being a lawyer
I cannot understand why pursuing this again wouldn’t be all that is on your mind. The story you tell is one that will sell as good as any.
Go back and work on passing the Bar exam
Probably a lot of government jobs would be open to you.
Take the bar again and practice elsewhere
This has greatness written all over it. Get the license to practice law and represent the ones nobody wants
Don’t be a paralegal. Have you considered sales? Not bullshit “used car” or smile and dial sales but real sales negotiating deals with the c level. Your educational background will be very attractive. Quite a few of my peers have been folks with law degrees. Same skills: solving problems, consulting with clients, speaking and presenting the pitch. Most critically, we often negotiate the deal, including certain legal contract language.
Start attending a community college and befriend the group of misfits studying Spanish in the library
Why not begin studying to retake the bar exam? I have a friend who is scary intelligent and knew the law inside and out, but repeatedly failed the bar due to a cocaine problem. After she cleaned up her shit, got a sponsor, etc, she started over studying for the exam and passed! 25 years later she is a formidable criminal defense attorney with her own law firm, that was voted best law firm in her city.
My guy, take the bar again and pass it. Be honest with your past and talk about how you overcame it if it comes up. Throwing away your law degree would be profoundly stupid. Don’t over think this, go get it done.
Look at in house legal teams hiring for Contract management roles or legal operations roles, don’t need to have passed the bar but a JD is good for those roles.
maybe compliance analyst or compliance specialist.
A legal background could do well in procurement as well.
Hunker down and study for the bar exam.
Look into jobs in the contracts department for large companies. It will give you exposure to legal again and you’ll most likely report up a chain of lawyers. Use “contracts specialist” “contracts manager” in job searches.
You didn’t mention it but if you’re decently photogenic have you considered a career in politics? If you’re not going to go after the bar exam that would be my first stop.
Pass the Bar Exam and get on with your life.
Being completely honest with people about your situation will make you an asset, not a liability.
You can leave the jd off resume and applications
What made you want to be a lawyer? Did you like documents? Pontificating? Questioning? What part did you like?
I know someone in a similar situation two decades ago who became a plumber and makes bank like $500 an hour.
The “I feel like the ship has sailed” comment doesn’t strongly assert you don’t want the career.
You’ll have to pass the character and fitness portion, which is doable, if you show you’re not an alcoholic anymore. They are only concerned with present fitness, and that you’ve done what it takes to correct any past misdeeds.
It’s probably a really good thing you didn’t get a law license because you could have gotten disbarred which is far worse.
I quit drinking last May because it didn’t help anything in life. I wasn’t aware how destructive it was.
If you were at all interested in the research portion of law school, you could get a job as a research librarian at a law school. These positions require JDs and many will discount or cover your tuition toward obtaining an MLIS (master in library and information science) as a perk.
Go back and study for the bar exam. Good luck to you.