Graduating from law school marks the end of a demanding academic journey. This period is often a blend of relief and excitement, coupled with uncertainty about what lies ahead. The path forward is not a single road but a network of diverse opportunities, each with its own challenges and rewards. This guide is designed to illuminate these routes, helping to transform uncertainty into a plan for your professional future.
The First Hurdle: The Bar Exam
For most graduates who intend to practice law, the first challenge is the bar exam. This test is the gateway to becoming a licensed attorney, assessing whether a candidate possesses the minimum competency required. The exam structure varies by state, but most jurisdictions have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). The UBE consists of three parts: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
The MBE is a six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice test covering seven legal subjects, including constitutional law, contracts, and torts. The MEE requires applicants to answer six 30-minute essay questions on a broader range of legal topics. The MPT consists of two 90-minute tasks that simulate real-world legal assignments, providing a case file and a library of legal resources to complete a task like drafting a memo or a brief.
Beyond the exam itself, every state requires a separate character and fitness evaluation. This process involves a background check into your personal, financial, and academic history to ensure you meet the ethical standards of the profession. Because of the exam’s difficulty and the volume of material, most graduates enroll in commercial bar prep courses. These structured programs, lasting 8-10 weeks, provide outlines, practice questions, and simulated exams.
Traditional Legal Career Paths
Once licensed, new attorneys find opportunities across a spectrum of traditional legal settings. Each path offers a distinct work environment, set of responsibilities, and trajectory for career growth.
Law Firms
Private practice in a law firm is the most common path for law school graduates. These firms range in size, from solo practitioners to large international organizations with thousands of attorneys. “Big Law” firms, those with 500 or more lawyers, handle complex matters for large corporate clients, offering high salaries and a demanding environment. Mid-size firms provide a similar range of services but often with a better work-life balance, while small firms offer more hands-on experience.
Government
Working for the government provides a direct way to engage with public service. Attorneys can serve as prosecutors at the local, state, or federal level, or as public defenders representing indigent clients. Government agencies—from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Securities and Exchange Commission—employ lawyers to handle regulatory enforcement, policymaking, and litigation. These roles offer stability and the chance to work on issues of broad societal impact.
Public Interest
Public interest law is defined by its mission to serve underrepresented people and causes. Attorneys in this field work for nonprofit organizations, legal aid societies, and advocacy groups. Their work can involve direct client representation in areas like housing or immigration law, or it can focus on broader policy change through impact litigation and legislative advocacy. While salaries are lower than in the private sector, the work provides a deep sense of purpose.
Judicial Clerkships
A judicial clerkship is a position working directly for a judge at the state or federal level. Clerks are responsible for legal research, drafting opinions, and preparing the judge for hearings and trials. These positions, which last one to two years, are sought after for the insight they provide into the judicial process and the close mentorship with a judge. A clerkship is often considered a stepping stone to careers in academia, government, or elite litigation practices.
In-House Counsel
Attorneys who work as in-house counsel are employed directly by a corporation rather than a law firm. They act as the company’s legal advisors, handling issues including contracts, employment law, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property. This path allows lawyers to become integrated into a specific industry and business, focusing on the legal needs of a single client. The work often involves more predictable hours and a collaborative environment.
Exploring JD-Advantage Careers
A law degree opens doors to many professions outside the traditional practice of law. These “JD-Advantage” or “JD-Preferred” roles are positions where a legal education provides a benefit, even though a law license is not required. The analytical, research, and communication skills from law school are transferable and valued across numerous industries.
Many graduates find careers in the business world in roles like compliance, contract management, or human resources. A compliance analyst works to ensure a company adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, a task for which legal training is well-suited. A contract manager oversees the negotiation, drafting, and administration of a company’s agreements, leveraging the textual analysis taught in law school.
Other JD-Advantage paths lead to careers in policy, consulting, and finance. A policy advisor might work for a government agency or a think tank, using their research and writing skills to analyze legislation and shape public discourse. Management consulting firms often recruit law graduates for their ability to deconstruct complex problems and formulate strategic solutions for clients. In finance, roles in wealth management or investment banking benefit from an understanding of regulatory frameworks and complex transactions. These careers demonstrate the versatility of a JD.
Navigating the Job Search
Securing a post-graduate position requires a proactive approach that begins before graduation. Your law school’s career services office is a resource, offering resume workshops, mock interviews, job postings, and alumni networks. These offices provide tailored advice for different career paths, helping you understand the hiring timelines of law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations.
Networking is a fundamental component of any successful job search. This involves building genuine connections through informational interviews. Reaching out to alumni and other legal professionals in fields that interest you can provide firsthand insight into their work and may uncover unadvertised job opportunities. These conversations allow you to learn about a specific practice area while also making a positive impression.
Your application materials must be tailored for each specific opportunity. A resume submitted to a large law firm will look different from one sent to a small nonprofit. The former might highlight academic achievements and law review experience, while the latter should emphasize clinical work, pro bono hours, and a demonstrated commitment to the organization’s mission. Similarly, your cover letter should go beyond simply restating your resume, instead telling a story about why you are interested in that specific employer and how your unique skills and experiences make you a strong fit for the role.
Managing Finances and Debt
Graduating from law school often includes managing student loan debt. Understanding your repayment options is a priority, especially during the unpaid bar study period. Federal student loans offer several income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, such as PAYE and SAVE, which cap monthly payments at a percentage of your discretionary income. This can make payments more manageable in the early years of your career.
For those pursuing careers in the public sector, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is an important tool. Under PSLF, the federal government may forgive the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working for an eligible employer. Many law schools and some employers also offer Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs), which provide loans to help graduates in public interest jobs meet their student loan obligations.
Creating a detailed budget is another important step, especially for the months dedicated to bar preparation when you may not have an income. This involves tracking your expenses and making a plan to cover your living costs. Managing your finances from the beginning of your career will provide a solid foundation for your professional goals.