Contrary to what many may think, a law degree isn’t limited to working in court. In fact, a law graduate can work in many different fields. Aside from providing virtual legal assistant services, check out our post today for some of the alternative careers for lawyers for professionals with a law degree, as well as their responsibilities and requirements:
1. Academic
Law graduates can work in academia, teaching different subjects — such as Business, Criminal, Civil, Environmental, Administrative, Constitutional Law, among others — for higher education.
They can work in public or private institutions, as a university professor or as a tutor for undergraduate students, at universities and colleges. They can also qualify as a teacher of preparatory courses for public service exams or the Bar exam.
The requirements
In general, to be able to join the teaching staff at public or private educational institutions, a law graduate must continue his or her studies through a master’s degree, a doctorate, and, preferably, a post-doctorate.
But even before graduating, while still in college, law students can prepare for this career through outreach activities. Examples include tutoring, participation in colloquia and conferences, and the publication of scientific articles.
Good public speaking, patience, mastery of the subject you will teach, and willingness to convey the content to students will be essential for success in your teaching career.
2. Judicial
The judiciary is one of the most sought-after legal careers among law graduates, but the responsibilities involved are not easy.
This is because the judge’s role involves adjudicating legal claims; ensuring the swift resolution of disagreements and conflicts of interest between individuals; and preventing and suppressing acts contrary to human dignity and justice through conciliation of the parties involved.
The judge decides which party acted in accordance with the nation’s laws and customs, as well as the culpability of those involved. He or she also issues arrest warrants, search warrants, and preliminary and precautionary measures, among other legal acts.
More specifically, ordinary court judges adjudicate disputes between individuals, legal entities, and the government (in civil, criminal, and federal courts), provided they are not linked to the interests of the Federation. Federal judges, on the other hand, conduct the adjudication and classify cases of interest to the Union.
The requirements
Judges are agents of the judiciary and must hold a law degree and have passed a civil service exam. To serve in this position, the judge must pass a public examination, including tests and qualifications, with the participation of the Bar Association in each stage. The judge is also required to have at least three years of experience in the legal field and to have completed the formal appointment process, respecting the order of rank.
As interesting qualities for a career as a judge, we can highlight the ability to make decisions impartially and the interest in knowledge about the most diverse areas of Law, since studies will be endless in this profession.
3. Prosecutor’s Office
In judicial proceedings, the interests of society and the state must be defended. To this end, the position of prosecutor exists.
The prosecutor’s office is a public office, hired through the Public Ministry, with activities in the most diverse areas of law.
The requirements
The position of prosecutor is obtained through a public service exam, including tests and qualifications. It’s worth noting that communication skills and oral and written skills are essential for this profession.
4. Public Prosecutor’s Office
The prosecutor holds a position hierarchically superior to the public prosecutor. Consequently, his or her role is within a higher body within the State Public Prosecutor’s Office itself. He or she performs the same function as the prosecutor: defending the interests of society in the most diverse conflicts involving it.
Thus, the public prosecutor works in the Civil and Criminal Chambers, defending the just legal order and filing lawsuits. Their role involves conducting inquiries into suspected crimes or acting as an overseer in lawsuits filed by third parties. They can be municipal, state, or federal—all within the scope of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The requirements
Law school is an essential requirement, along with active registration with the Bar Association (OAB) and passing a public exam, including exams and qualifications. The graduate must also have worked as a lawyer for two years before taking the exam.
5. Court of Appeals
The title of appellate judge is granted to a judge based on a series of requirements, such as merit or seniority. They are members of the Court of Justice or the Regional Court, responsible for ruling on the decisions of younger judges when the judge is not satisfied with the ruling issued by a court.
Other duties of the professional include:
- The promotion of criminal actions;
- The determination of responsibilities;
- Monitoring compliance with laws.
Its decisions (called rulings) involve common crimes, such as habeas corpus granted or denied and crimes committed by members of the Ministry of Labor. It is worth remembering that:
- State judges belong to the Common Court;
- Federal judges are connected to the Federal Court;
- Federal labor judges are linked to the Labor Court.
The requirements
Unlike judges, the role of an appellate judge does not require a competitive examination—they are appointed by appointment or receive the title based on merit. Typically, an appointed appellate judge worked as a lawyer or member of the Public Prosecutor’s Office before being appointed to the position.
Like any other legal career, the role is performed by a professional with a higher education degree in Law, provided that they have worked in a legal role in the public sector or have taken a competitive exam for a position in the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The position of appellate judge requires from the professional who assumes it, as with the position of judge, a great deal of impartiality and dedication to legal studies.
6. Public Defender’s Office
A public defender is a professional who defends citizens who cannot afford legal counsel in their legal proceedings. Thus, although a public servant, he or she serves the needs of his or her client—not those of the municipality, state, or federal government. In this sense, he can be a municipal, state or federal attorney and represent the interests of each of these areas.
The requirements
To work as a public defender, a law graduate must also pass a competitive exam and obtain qualifications, as well as demonstrate prior experience in the legal field. Public defenders are expected to possess the same attributes as lawyers: oratory skills, argumentativeness, and persuasiveness, as well as a strong communicator.
For those with an altruistic spirit and who aspire to careers where they can provide assistance and solidarity to those in need, public defender services can be a great option.
7. Judicial analysis
The judicial analyst is responsible for working in the administrative area (customer service, human resources, organizing hearing minutes, archives, etc.) and in the legal area.
In the latter case, he performs his duties alongside the judge, receiving and distributing petitions in the courts of justice or in the federal courts.
The requirements
To work in the legal field, an analyst must have a law degree, while an administrative analyst must have any degree. The position is also obtained through public exams specific to the field.
Although legal training isn’t required for a career as an administrative analyst, graduates of this program have a head start on other candidates. This is because they studied several subjects covered in the exams, such as Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, and the Internal Regulations of public agencies.
Organization, responsibility and interest in studies are qualities expected of professionals who intend to pursue a career as a judicial analyst.
8. Court Officer
The court officer is considered an auxiliary of the courts, providing operational support to the justice system. He or she is responsible for executing court orders at any stage of the proceedings.
The category of court officer includes conciliators, clerks, and translators, who support our Judiciary.
The requirements
Entry into this career is done through a public exam and, in most notices, a degree in Law is required. The professional who assumes the role of court officer must have extensive knowledge of the law and the jurisdictional process, given that this role is necessary in practically all phases of legal proceedings.
9. Police station
The police chief can work at the state or federal police station. His or her role is to lead the criminal investigation. This means that he will be responsible for coordinating the preparation of inquiries, leading police investigations, and issuing the various public documents involved in this process.
The requirements
The position is competitively applied for, and candidates must have a law degree. After passing the exam, the future police chief must attend a preparatory course offered by the police force. A police chief must possess strong self-confidence, self-control, courage, and a sense of justice. Furthermore, it’s important that they act with common sense when faced with the challenges of the profession.
10. Military Police Officer
The Military Police officer is a public position, and the professional is responsible for acting as commander of military police companies and operational units.
He supervises the troops employed in military police operations, ensures the personnel are well-groomed, and interacts directly with various segments of society to oversee and supervise all of the company’s policing.
The requirements
To become a Military Police officer, you must have a law degree and pass a public service exam. As with the position of police chief, you must complete a preparatory course before officially beginning your professional duties. Quick thinking, organization and a great deal of seriousness are basic characteristics expected of a Military Police officer.
11. Civil Police Clerk
The Civil Police clerk is the professional responsible for complying with procedural formalities, drafting and signing the records and terms of his office.
He also:
- Supervises the distributed processes and inquiries and the notarial work of the Internal Affairs Department, specialized and municipal police stations and the Police District;
- Collects bail;
- Issues warrants, citations, notifications and subpoenas;
- Attends extraordinary summons.
The requirements
To become a Civil Police clerk, you must have a law degree or a certificate of completion. You must also pass a public service exam.
The clerk must be an organized, disciplined and serious professional to supervise and issue the public documents under his responsibility.
12. Diplomacy
Diplomacy is an attractive option for law graduates and does not involve working as a lawyer. Diplomats represent our country on matters of foreign affairs, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its responsibilities include informing, negotiating and representing interests before other nations.
The requirements
To become a diplomat, law graduates must take and pass the entrance exam, part of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once approved, the future diplomat will receive a preparatory course taught by the Institute itself to begin practicing this profession.
This is another career path that benefits law students: many of the subjects covered in the exam are studied in college, such as International Law, Politics, Economics, etc.
In addition to fluency in several languages, law graduates interested in pursuing a diplomatic career should dedicate themselves to studying other languages. Organization, discipline, argumentative skills, amiability, and charisma are also important characteristics in this field.
Now that you know which areas of law you can work in, how about telling us about your career plans? Which areas do you plan to pursue?
More Resources
