Often, when someone thinks about careers in law, they automatically think of lawyers. However, there are other professions in the legal field that you can obtain if you’re not interested in actually becoming an attorney.
If you’re considering a career in law, here are a few good options you can get without a law degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants work closely with attorneys as support staff. These positions are also some of the fastest-growing and most popular. Neither requires a law degree, but to become a paralegal, you need to obtain a paralegal certificate.
It’s a lucrative profession as people who want legal services but don’t want to pay the added fee to an attorney can seek the help of a paralegal. Generally speaking, paralegals make around 25 to 50 percent of what a lawyer charges as their hourly fee.
Paralegals can perform the same services as lawyers, but they are unable to give legal advice or negotiate fees for their services due to their lack of law degrees.
They can write reports to help in preparation for trial, schedule meetings, interviews, and deposition files, legal documents with opposing counsel, investigate cases, gather, organize and maintain legal documents, take notes during trials, and research laws and regulations.
Legal Secretary
A legal secretary is a profession that involves serving as part-administrative assistant and part-secretary in the law field. This position requires knowledge of legal terminology and procedures and the ability to handle legal documents.
They prepare legal documents such as complaints, subpoenas, motions, and more, organize and maintain files and make calls, and schedule appointments. Legal secretaries are integral support staff for attorneys.
E-Discovery Specialist
E-discovery specialists are professionals who handle electronic discovery, also known as e-discovery documentation. E-discovery refers to evidence and other documentation that is created by a civil or criminal proceeding. The profession is projected to expand in the future, with salaries increasing as a result.
E-discovery specialists collect, process, and analyze information, create and support document review and production workflow, create and maintain e-discovery preservation policies and stay on top of tools and processes in the field and give support in litigation technology.
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Litigation Support Professional
Litigation support professionals don’t hold law degrees but provide the same level of professional support as paralegals. They are knowledgeable about the law and have the same skills like information technology pros. As a result, they can provide valuable services to clients who are going through litigation.
Legal Technology Support Specialist
Just like any other office needs technical support, law firms require professionals in this field. Legal technology support specialists are integral to ensuring that all hardware and software in law offices are working properly and securely.
They can troubleshoot when something isn’t working the way it should, know about advancements in legal technology, and can make recommendations to firms, and respond to questions and requests from the firm’s staff.
These are among the best professionals in the legal field that don’t require law degrees. If you want a rewarding, lucrative career in law, you can choose among these and more.
