The world of law-related careers is quite vast, because so many different areas intersect with the law. Below are examples of common law-related careers, but remember, this is not an exhaustive list!
Court Personnel/Legal Staff:
- Legal Secretary: Legal secretaries are also called an administrative assistant, this position entails less responsibility than a paralegal but often more than the average secretarial role. Responsibilities include the normal sphere of secretarial duties in addition to things like file maintenance and drafting basic correspondence, such as letters to clients notifying them of upcoming court dates.
- Court language interpreter: Professional court interpreters are individuals who possess an educated, native-like mastery of both English and another language; display wide general knowledge, characteristic of what a minimum of two years of general education at a college or university would provide; and perform the three major types of court interpreting: sight translation, consecutive interpreting, and simultaneous interpreting.
- Court reporter: Court reporters have a critical role in legal proceedings, which require an exact record of what occurred. These workers are responsible for producing a complete, accurate, and secure transcript of depositions, trials, and other legal proceedings.
- Court clerk: The clerk of courts is responsible for a court’s non-judicial operations, essentially everything a court does beyond trying cases.
- Legal assistant/paralegal: Paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals may draft pleadings, assist clients, and do legal research under the supervision of the attorney.
Public Policy, Public Administration, and Non-Profit Management:
- Policy analyst: Policy analysts identify current or impending problems, create solutions, and evaluate other proposed solutions. Once a problem is recognized, researchers might attempt to determine its causes. They may then analyze how vari- ous policy ideas and proposals could affect the problem and suggest solutions.
- Lobbyist: Lobbyists are professional advocates that work to influence political decisions on behalf of individuals and organizations. This advocacy could lead to the proposal of new legislation, or the amendment of existing laws and regulations.
- Human Resources Manager: Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization's management and its employees.
- Urban and Regional Planner: Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
- City Manager/City Administrator: City managers help bridge the gap between politics and administration. They serve as the chief executive of city government and typically oversee all city staff, as well as carry out the council's laws and communicate other decisions.
- Legislative Analyst: Legislative analysts review new bills and changing laws to determine how legislation may affect their employers. As a legislative analyst, you are responsible for tracking changes in legislation, as well as helping your employer prepare a response to new bills.
Forensic Sciences
- Evidence Technician: Evidence technicians are responsible for collecting evidence at crime scenes, processing the evidence and transporting the evidence to storage locations.
- Forensic Specialist: Forensic specialists assess physical evidence from a crime scene using various methods of analysis, including chemical, instrumental and microscopic methods. They may work with biological fluids, drugs, blood, gunshot residue and other materials found at a crime scene. They may serve as expert witnesses in court cases and conduct research related to new forensic equipment and technology.
- Forensic Investigator: Forensic investigators are responsible for investigating evidence found at a crime scene. They may take photos of the crime scene, collect samples and examine evidence in a lab. They then use the evidence to make assumptions regarding the details of the crime.
- Forensic Accountant: Forensic accountants are experts in financial crime and work to uncover fraud and protect bank accounts against fraudulent activity. They examine financial records and accounts that may be used as evidence. They may also assist in court to determine damages and awards for cases.
- Forensic Engineer: These professionals are tasked with investigating structures that have failed or do not function properly. They commonly analyze structures that have resulted in personal injury or property damage and determine the cause. Forensic engineers may use their findings in criminal and civil law cases to support the evidence presented.
- Forensic Psychologist: Forensic psychologists perform several duties within the legal system, including performing psychological assessments of criminals, witnesses and defendants in legal proceedings and acting as expert witnesses in court cases. They may also devise treatment plans and intervention methods for prison inmates and make recommendations for inmates' parole. These professionals typically work for community health centers, psychiatric hospitals, government agencies and correctional facilities.
