A Guide To Alternate Careers For Lawyers. Practice management consultants, logistical coordinators, data analysts. When these careers aren’t ideal, here are other law careers to consider.
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Lawyers are trained to be analytical and logical, which makes them a good fit for many different careers after law school.
Here are some of the most popular alternate careers for lawyers:
- Information Technology (IT) Consultant
IT consultants help companies with their computer systems and software. They can also help small businesses design and implement computer systems.
- Business Analyst
Business analysts work with companies to improve how they do things by analyzing how processes work and identifying ways to make them more efficient.
- Management Consultant
Management consultants specialize in helping businesses improve their operations and develop strategies for growth, often by working on-site at companies in order to get a firsthand look at what needs improvement.
- Financial Planner/Investment Advisor
Financial planners help individuals set up retirement plans or manage their investments so that they achieve their financial goals over time; investment advisors focus on specific types of investments like stocks or bonds, while financial planners typically offer a broader range of services including tax planning or estate planning advice as well as investment advice if requested by clients who want it!
Alternate careers for lawyers
Real estate agent
As a real estate agent, you can work for yourself or for a company. You will have to learn about the real estate market in your area and how it works. You will also need to get the appropriate license and pass any necessary tests. In order to be successful as a real estate agent, you will need to be able to work independently and with others.
Mediator
Mediation is a process in which an independent third party helps people communicate in order to reach an agreement. Mediation involves:
- Helping parties communicate and negotiate with each other.
- Finding common ground on issues that matter most to both sides.
- Assisting the parties with identifying options for resolving their differences.
Mediator skills include:
- The ability to listen without judgment and ask open-ended questions that encourage dialogue.
- Patience, empathy, and compassion for the parties involved in a conflict situation (and perhaps even some of those who aren’t).
Life coach
If you want to help other people, while also helping your clients improve their lives and careers, becoming a life coach may be the right move. A life coach doesn’t necessarily need to be trained in psychology or counseling; they can simply help their clients improve their personal relationships, finances and work-life balance through coaching.
Life coaches are great for helping individuals get unstuck—whether it’s at work or home—and gain more clarity on how to navigate a difficult situation. If you enjoy being organized and have strong communication skills, this might be an excellent alternative career for you!
Politician
To be a politician, you need to have a passion for people and politics. You should also have strong communication skills, a good understanding of how government works and the ability to work long hours in order to achieve your goals. You will also need to be able to work with people from different political parties and ideologies in order to get things done.
Arbitrator
Arbitration is a process in which the parties to a dispute agree that the outcome will be decided by a third party. This third party, known as an arbitrator, listens to arguments from both sides and then makes a decision based on their findings. In arbitration, there are no witnesses and no jury; only you and your opponent present your side of the story.
This job can be great for lawyers because it requires listening skills, analytical thinking and verbal communication—all skills that attorneys use every day at work. You’ll also have to research each case before making a recommendation or ruling; this could mean researching case law or looking up precedents in your field or industry. Arbitrators are typically paid per case; however some states require that they charge fees based on time spent working on individual cases instead of receiving one flat rate for each client (which would make it harder for low-income clients).
Business consultant
If you’re not a big fan of being in front of a judge and arguing cases, there’s still hope for you. If your legal training allows, becoming a business consultant can be an excellent second career option. A lawyer can help businesses with a wide range of legal issues and concerns, including:
- Business formation and contract drafting
- Intellectual property protection and licensing
- Employment law advice
Executive recruiter
As a recruiter, you’ll be responsible for finding and placing candidates in open positions. You will help both clients and candidates find the right match, so you need to take into account what both sides want out of the job search process.
The skills needed to be successful include:
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work with people of all backgrounds and cultures
- Teamwork skills
Politician (the job is different than a lobbyist)
Let me tell you about a job that’s very different from being a lawyer: becoming a politician. Many people don’t know the difference between a lobbyist and a politician, but it’s important to understand how they differ before jumping into either role.
Lobbyists are paid to influence legislation in favor of their clients or business interests. Politicians are elected officials who advocate for their constituents’ interests in government (although not all politicians do this conscientiously). Some politicians are also lobbyists—for example, former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was both a politician and lobbyist at different times during his career—but none of them exclusively lobby during their terms as elected officials (and vice versa).
To get started on your new career path as an elected official, you’ll need certain skills and characteristics such as charisma and persuasiveness so that you can convince constituents to vote for you when election season comes around again. You’ll also benefit from having relevant experience or qualifications: if there aren’t many lawyers running for office right now then maybe try becoming an entrepreneur instead? There’s no rule saying that only people with law degrees should run for office!
Paralegal
Just as important as the lawyer’s education and experience is his or her organizational skills. A paralegal needs to be able to keep track of all the documents that go in and out of court, whether they’re legal briefs or simple letters. Paralegals also need to be able to keep track of all the different people involved in any given case—the attorneys, other paralegals and support staff members (clerks), judges, opposing counsel and clients.
