Law
Counselor’s Perspective
“To become a lawyer is to take part in shaping the life of a nation and its people.
Lawyers are central figures in the life a democratic country” (Services for Legal Education, LSAC). The field of law encompasses practically every aspect of society. A law degree can lead to a rewarding legal career in which you can effect social change, set legal precedent, and make a positive impact on the lives of people.
The law is an integral part of nearly every area of our lives. In the United States today there are over one million practicing attorneys. People who enter this demanding profession do so for many reasons. Lawyers work for law firms both big and small, in government agencies, legal departments of corporations, for individuals or on behalf of communities.
As an attorney you might find yourself communicating with clients and colleagues, negotiating with adversaries, drafting legal documents and preparing briefs, arguing cases before judges and juries. You could be advising corporate management on the acquisition of a competitor; representing an individual on an assault and battery case; or acting as a law school dean. If you are involved in public interest law you may represent low-income individuals while working with private firms or for nonprofit organizations or be involved in organizing groups or work on law related issues in a role as advocate, educator, or mediator helping clients and communities secure or protect civil rights or social justice. Some lawyers specialize in advising corporations, some focus on taxation and estate planning; others practice public interest law. Many lawyers use their legal expertise in other fields. Some lawyers are corporate executives, bankers, legal affairs reporters, or school administrators
Most lawyers spend much of their time outside the courtroom. Their work is intellectually demanding with a great deal of time spent preparing for clients, writing briefs or legal documents, or researching of legal issues. Lawyers often specialize and may have studied other disciplines. Some lawyers do not like litigation and prefer being involved in negotiation. Others choose to make litigation, either in criminal or civil courtrooms, their focus.
The key to finding your role in the vast field of law is...first, to discover who you are.
Opportunities
The employment market for law school graduates has held steady, staying close to or above an 89% employment rate for the class of 2004. More than half (56.2%) of those who were employed obtained jobs in private practice. Employment in business was 12%, while 27.7% were in public service positions (from NALP's Jobs & JD's, Class of 2004). Lawyers held about 735,000 jobs in 2004. Private practice attorneys make up the vast majority of law jobs with approximately 3 out of 4 lawyers working in law firms or private practice. Most salaried lawyers are found in government or with corporations or nonprofit organizations. About 25 percent work in government jobs, generally at the local level. In the Federal Government, lawyers can be found in many different agencies, primarily in the Departments of Justice, Treasury, and Defense. Many salaried lawyers working outside of government are employed as house counsel by public utilities, banks, insurance companies, real estate agencies, manufacturing firms, and other business firms and nonprofit organizations.
Employment of lawyers is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through 2014. Certain areas of law are expected to grow faster than others. Increase demand for legal services will be seen in areas of health care, intellectual property, venture capital, energy, elder, antitrust, international law, and environmental law. In addition, greater availability and affordability of legal clinics should result in increased use of legal services by middle-income people. Some limited growth of demand for lawyers will be seen as businesses reduce costs by using accounting firms and paralegals to perform roles historically held by lawyers.
Resources
American Bar Association Career Corner
Association of American Law Schools
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Attorney Jobs
ChooseLaw
Federal Law Clerk Info System
FindLaw
Internet Legal Research Group
LawForum
LawInfo Career Center
LawJobs
Lawyers Weekly Jobs
Legal Employment
National Association for Law Placement
National Bar Association
National Center for State Courts
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
NC Bar Association
NC Court System
U.S. Courts
WashLaw
Paralegal Work/Legal Assistant
Legal Assistants, also known as paralegals, are assistants to lawyers. They interview clients, conduct legal research, and draft legal documents under the supervision of lawyers.
Paralegal’s or Legal Assistants help lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. They investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are important to cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, secure affidavits, and help attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and keep track files of all important case documents and make them available to attorneys.
Opportunities
In addition to private law firms, other organizations in the private sector hire legal assistants. Some sites include corporate legal departments, insurance companies, estate and trust departments of banks, hospitals and other health care organizations, real estate and title insurance companies, and professional trade associations. Job opportunities in the public sector are available in community legal services programs, consumer organizations, offices of public defenders, prosecutors and attorneys general, city attorneys, state and federal government agencies, and the judicial system.
A good source of information on job openings is the local or state paralegal association. Many paralegal associations maintain job data banks or referral services and can provide you with a listing of firms and agencies in which legal assistant positions are available.
Resources
General information on Paralegal careers can be obtained from: * Standing Committee on Paralegals, American Bar Association, 321 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610.
Internet
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegalsFor information on the Certified Legal Assistant exam, schools that offer training programs in a specific State, and standards and guidelines for paralegals, contact: * National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., 1516 South Boston St., Suite 200, Tulsa, OK 74119. Internet: http://www.nala.orgon-line newsletter.
Pre-Law at Duke
Being pre-law at Duke, “means being involved in a process of self-discovery, defining life goals, determining life style, and developing a strategy for realizing these goals.” Dean Gerald Wilson, Pre-Law Advisor.
The Pre-Law Advising Center sponsors programs and distributes information to all students considering careers in law. Underclassmen who have specific questions that are not covered by Pre-Law Handbook (available from the Pre-Law Advising Center in 04 Allen Building) or other resources may meet with the Pre-Law Advisor during walk-in hours posted early in the semester. You can also learn more about law school and the law through the student organization, Bench and Bar, which offers a variety of programs and activities for those considering law as a profession.
Who has recruited Duke Students
A number of law firms recruit Duke students for Legal Assistant positions:
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen, Hamilton
Cravath, Swaine& Moore
Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison
Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett
Skaddan, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Sullivan and Cromwell
Internships in law related organizations are found in resources in the Internship Exchange, Public Defender’s Offices, District Attorneys Offices, nonprofit organizations, government organizations, and in a limited number of law firms.
Department of JusticeThompson
O’Brien, Kemp & Nasuti,P.C.
NYC Campaign Finance Board
Environmental Law Institute
The Fulghum Law Firm, P.L.L.C
Johnsn and Johnson Law Department
Duke University School of Law
Boston University School of Law Career Development Office
Law related nonprofit organizations that have recruited Duke students:
Public Service Network
National Women’s Law Center
he North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law
New York City Bar
Louisiana Capital Assistance Center
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