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An Attorney's Guide to a Career in Law

by Scott Grabel

a career in law There is a vast range of exciting career opportunities in the legal field. If you are interested in law, you can find a job that suits your educational background and qualifications. Legal jobs range from office assistants right up to working as a judge in a court of law. The educational qualifications needed for these positions vary, and if you choose an entry-level position and enjoy your work, you may decide to become more qualified and move into a different position.

Legal File Clerk

Legal file clerks are entry-level positions. In general, these positions do not require education beyond a high school diploma. Legal file clerks are responsible for keeping track of important documents in both paper and electronic files. Legal file clerks work in law firms, insurance companies, and government agencies. These positions are a great way to get an inside view of the legal field without the need for further education, they are also a great opportunity for ambitious workers to get their foot in the door and gain valuable work experience in a legal setting.

Legal Secretary

Legal secretaries are responsible for a variety of administrative tasks including scheduling, tracking deadlines, screening calls, and preparing legal documents. They typically work for one or more attorneys and many legal secretarial positions require a high school diploma and secretarial training. There are however, certificate, diploma, and degree programs offered by some colleges and associations that may meet position requirements.

Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Paralegals assist attorneys with case preparation. The job titles paralegal and legal assistant are interchangeable. Paralegals' specific job responsibilities depend on where they work. Those working in small law firms usually have greater responsibilities than paralegals working in large law firms or corporations. Although paralegals cannot give legal advice, they often do the same type of work as attorneys and support the function of their superiors. They interact with clients, draft legal documents, and even assist attorneys at trials.

Legal Nurse Consultant

Legal nurse consultants work in law firms, insurance companies, and government agencies. In addition, legal nurse consultants may work on a freelance basis. Their job responsibilities include analyzing medical records, educating attorneys and other staff on medical issues, finding medical experts, and assisting with depositions and trials. Legal nurse consultants typically have a nursing degree and clinical experience. Although they are not required to have additional education, there are educational programs for this specialty.

Court Reporter

Court reporters transcribe pre-trial and court proceedings. They use a special type of shorthand and transcription equipment to generate verbatim transcripts. New technology allows court reporters to make "real time" recordings, and these recordings allow attorneys and judges to see testimony on computer screens as it is given. There are certificate, diploma, and degree programs in court reporting.

Legal Recruiter

Legal recruiters work in law firms, corporations, and recruitment agencies. They find and recommend candidates for job openings, conduct performance reviews, oversee staff training, and review and monitor human resource policies. They also develop relationships with educational institutions who may recommend job candidates to them. Legal recruiters have a bachelor's degree and many have law degrees.

Mediator

Mediators use an informal process to try to resolve disputes. They do not make decisions or give orders. Instead, they try to get the parties to a dispute to reach an agreement and work in several different areas, including the court systems, government organizations, and in private practices. Some attorneys are mediators, but you can become a mediator without a law degree. The qualifications mediators need are different in each state and within distinct mediation programs; for this reason, it is important to review the requirements of the state in which you live and/or work.

Prosecutor

A prosecutor is a qualified lawyer that represents the government in criminal cases. Other names for prosecutors are district attorneys or state's attorneys. Prosecutors for the federal government are United States Attorneys. Prosecutors' responsibilities include investigating cases, interviewing witnesses, and presenting cases at trial.

Public Defender

Public defenders are lawyers paid by the government to provide legal representation to certain defendants in criminal cases. Defendants may be required to meet income criteria in order to qualify for a public defender. These professionals may work directly for the government or may be on a panel of attorneys available to act as public defenders. They prepare and then present a defense at trial.

Title Examiner

A title examiner researches whether or not title to property is valid, including whether there are any restrictions on the title. The term title refers to the legal ownership of property. Some research is electronic, but title examiners often have to review numerous paper files in order to come to a fully informed conclusion. Title examiners work for attorneys, insurance companies, real estate agents, banks, or in private firms. They are not required to have advanced formal education, beyond the high school level. It is, however, common for them to have at least some college education.

Victim Advocate

A victim advocate helps and supports victims of crime. Victim advocates work in the court system, in police stations, and in private organizations. They provide practical assistance, counseling, and information to those they are working with in order to best educate and assist the victim. They may accompany victims to court and explain the judicial process to them. Victim advocates usually have bachelor's degrees and may also receive training from the organization they work for.

Crime Scene Investigator

Crime scene investigators collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes. They also testify at trial regarding the evidence collected. Crime scene investigators are members of law enforcement agencies who have specialized training in forensics. Local, state, and national law enforcement agencies as well as private forensic laboratories employ crime scene investigators.

Probation Officer

Probation officers work with convicted persons whom have been afforded probation, instead of serving time in a penitentiary. They explain the terms of probation to offenders and set up a regular meeting schedule. Through these meetings, they check to see if offenders are complying with the terms of their probation. Probation officers also conduct investigations to ensure offenders are not involved in any activity that violates their probation terms. The job requirements for probation officers vary, but many require at least a bachelor's degree.

Civil Litigation Attorney

Civil litigation attorneys handle non-criminal cases. Some bring claims on behalf of clients called plaintiffs, while others defend these claims for the person or entity being sued, the defendant. Civil litigation attorneys work in federal and state courts, and a lot of their work involves pre-trial preparations, which include reviewing documents, answering written questions, conducting depositions and arguing pre-trial motions.

Judge

Judges preside over civil, criminal, and administrative cases. They decide what parties can use as evidence in trials. Judges make sure lawyers follow court rules during hearings and trials. They make rulings on issues that arise before, during and after a trial. Judges work in federal and state courts as well as administrative agencies.

Client Reviews

★★★★★
If you are reading these reviews you are about to make a decision that will have a large impact on the rest of your life. I choose Grabel and Associates to represent me in my case and I could not have been more satisfied with the level of professionalism and dedication to their clients. I had the opportunity to meet and work with multiple lawyers in the practice all of which showcased a vast knowledge and understanding of the inner workings of the legal system. When you choose Scott Grabel to represent you will open yourself up to all of his resources. Depending on your case Grabel knows experts in all fields. I worked with polygraph examiners, investigators, and forensics experts. Grabel and Associates will defend without prejudice of innocence or guilt. Scott Grabel was able to lead me through every step of the process with great communication the whole way. I would recommend Scott Grabel and Associates to my friends, family and anyone who is in need of representation. B. A.
★★★★★
Best attorney in state of Michigan. Caring and a true friend. Scott was with us every step of the way. He fought for a great injustice for our son and was able to provide an outcome that gave his life back. L. A.
★★★★★
Scott and his firm did an awesome job representing a family member of mine, I would highly recommend him and his firm! They were extremely reliable, trustworthy and very informative and did a great job with the case. I couldn't be happier with the results that we received, I can't speak highly enough about the great job he did. If you are thinking about using his firm, I would highly recommend, I would definitely use his firm again if needed, he is an a great attorney with a great firm, you won't be disappointed! M. F.