A Military Or Government Law Firm Can Be A Good Start

As a society we have a bit of a distorted view of lawyers. Perhaps one too many television shows have inaccurately portrayed this career field. It is not all court rooms, jury trials, and media ridden criminal cases. In fact, there are many career paths an attorney can take including but not limited to working in the government sector, joining a law firm, and joining the military.

The government sector of this career field really is a good place to start. Right out of school, unless one has some very concrete business contacts, landing a high profile job in a firm is rare. The government sector is a good place to gain some experience, hone skills, focus on a type of practice, and learn about oneself as a professional. It is not the glamorous life that many who dream of the career imagine, but in truth, those out for the glamour are not in the business for the right reasons. The government sector is also where defendants get court appointed attorneys and where you will find prosecutors working on behalf of the state.

For those wishing for a more corporate lifestyle, a law firm may be the ultimate goal. Though, do not expect to land an associate position or partnership right away. A law firm is basically a collaboration of attorneys who have brought together their practices to form an entity. The partners in this situation work as attorneys but also share in the profits that the firm draws as a whole. Newbies would enter at on the bottom rung, perhaps as a researcher, move up to associate, and eventually have the opportunity to make partner—a term heard a lot in those aforementioned television shows. A partner would then share in the profit.

A lesser known option for those graduating law schools is to join the military. There is often an incentive for entering officers. They may be offered tuition reimbursement, job placement services after military separation, student loan forgiveness, etc. Most importantly, however, is the experience that will be gained from working as a lawyer in the military. The armed services see all kinds of law and types of cases as they serve as legal representation for every member of the service worldwide. Taxes, divorces, family issues, criminal cases, DUIs, AWOLs, breaches of contract, international and immigration issues could all be a part of a career in the military. Higher ranked and qualified officers can also be in prosecution concerning international and war time affairs. These skills and high security skills experience will be priceless in the civilian sector of law upon the end of a military commitment. Any law firm would consider these credentials assets.