By FMT’s Lifestyle Desk

Law firms
Lawyers who work in law firms normally perform legal actions for clients who consult them. Different clients have different needs. A lawyer has to tend to them, listen to what they want and do the necessary work. If you are new, you are known as an ‘associate’. After working for some time, you would be promoted to become an eligible ‘partner’. Once a partner, you work towards managing the law firm as a whole. Law firms vary in size and number of practice areas. Be prepared to work long hours.

Private business
In private businesses, lawyers are known as ‘in-house counsels’. You will be the lawyer for one company, and the company will be your one and only client. You will advise the company about legal matters, work on business deals and investor relations, and more. Fresh law graduates do not usually start out here because they lack the prerequisite business and legal knowledge.

Government
If you choose to work with the government, there are three levels which you can work in: local, state or federal. You could be working as a prosecutor, a public defender, executive or legislative staff, or an attorney. You can represent either the government (prosecutor) or the accused who cannot afford to hire a lawyer (public defender). You could also draft research papers and enforce laws, rules and regulations if you are an attorney in the legislative or executive branches.

Public interest
In this category, you would be working to seek justice for the disadvantaged or low income groups. You may be working directly with clients and offer them legal advice in matters such as housing, immigration, employment, discrimination and education. Some public interest lawyers work for organisations that are trying to bring changes to laws and the society.

Judiciary
Many fresh graduates will work as a clerk for a judge. The job scope may vary, but involves a lot of researching, reviewing and summarising legal issues, drafting memoranda, and observing court proceedings. Your working experience as a clerk will be highly valued by most legal employers, and can be used as a springboard into positions in the private and government sector. Most lawyers have a slim chance of becoming judges, though. They will not be selected if they do not have enough experience in their careers. They need to be in the field for quite a long time before they get the chance.

Academia
If you have a law degree, you can also opt for teaching, counseling, or administrative positions. You can also be a professor, programme administrator, career counselor, or even admission executive.

In general, keep in mind that you do not have to take positions that are directly related to your law degree. Be open-minded about the many other fields that you can explore.

* First published in Asia’s leading education website, www.easyuni.com