Careers in the Law
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Featured Resources
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Information on Legal Careers for Students of All Ages
Here's information for young people who are just getting acquainted
with the legal profession, as well as useful links for those already
in or considering law school. We've also included a program idea for
more information on setting up Career Days and a speech about the legal profession.
- Careers in the Law is a very brief, simple introduction to what lawyers do. It also touches briefly on the work of judges, mediators, paralegals and court reporters. This is a .pdf file and you will need Adobe's free Acrobat Reader in order to view it. To download your free viewer, click here.
- ABA Career Counsel -- Site includes career profiles of 100+ attorneys in various practice areas and alternatives, as well as legal job search and career enhancement resources and advice.
- Careers in Immigration Law -- Good overview article containing helpful information and links.
- Aspiring Youth tries to establish positive mentoring relationships for at-risk youth through after-school and programs in which youth visit law offices and other worksites to learn about careers.
- Job Shadowing site provides information about job shadowing and offers suggestions for getting involved.
- ABA Section of Legal Education site includes information on pre-law studies, law schools.
- ABA Council on Legal Education Opportunity is dedicated to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities for members of under-represented groups. Programs and assistance is developed for those who are already in or are considering law school.
- ABA Commission on Racial & Ethnic Diversity also offers information on diversity programs.
- Law School Admission Council
- National Association for Law Placement
Career Day Ideas
This idea was originally submitted for a Law
Day Outstanding Activity Award.
Inspiring Inner-City Youth through Law Day
Project Description: For over a decade, Mary Jenkins has devised
special Law Day activities to inspire students at John Marshall Metro
High School on Chicago's Westside. The Law Day activities often
focus on careers. The students are really excited to learn about law-related
careers from Afro-American professionals, including police officers,
a young female lawyer with a prominent Black law firm, a research analyst
with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, and two FBI
special agents. A judge discusses practical issues "...that really
could help Black young men and women avoid entanglements with the law."
Sponsoring entity: The Business Education Department of John Marshall Metro High School with help from Cook County Bar Association in obtaining volunteers.
No. of volunteers: 7 professionals who shared career information
Number of people benefiting from activity: Approximately 600 students
Three best things about this project:
- "The students always learn a lot about legal procedures, voter registration, and how to avoid conflicts with the law."
- "It is an opportunity to learn about careers in law and what a judge, for example, actually does."
- "The students enjoy having a chance to interact with lawyers, judges, and other professionals who are very patient in answering their questions."
What we have learned to improve project: "We try to keep the number of students in each session down to 100, which is difficult, but much more effective when you are trying to establish a learning atmosphere."
Approximate cost: $500
For further information: Mary Jenkins, Teacher/Law Day Coordinator, John Marshall Metro High School (773) 534-6455.
Career Day Idea 2: For a sampling of questions from students, and an outlined approach to putting on a career day, see the write-up from Port Washington High School in New York.
