Are you one of those people who can’t stand the thought of sitting in a courtroom day after day, listening to lawyers argue back and forth? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
There are plenty of legal jobs that don’t involve any courtroom drama. So if you’re looking for a career in law, but don’t want to spend your days in a courtroom, keep reading.
1. Legal Administrative Assistant
You don’t need a law degree to become an administrative assistant in an office of a law firm or government agency. You’ll provide support for lawyers and staff, helping with everything from scheduling meetings and maintaining filing systems to organizing conferences and filling out insurance forms. So you’ll be able to use your organizational skills for good—not to mention, you’ll be inside the legal world without having to deal with any courtroom drama.
Although many legal administrative assistants acquire their knowledge through on-the-job training, you can take formal training at a technical or vocational school.
2. Paralegal
If you’re interested in becoming a lawyer, you can start with this job instead of the previous one. Legal assistants and paralegals conduct research for lawyers, draft legal documents like contracts or court pleadings, and help prepare cases for trial. You’ll need at least an associate degree to become either, and formal training is usually necessary to learn how to do everything specific to your state.
3. Bail Bondsman
If you’re tired of legal dramas on TV, maybe this job is more your speed. Bail bondsmen help defendants get out of jail by taking responsibility for the entire bail amount. If defendants appear in court and follow all other terms and conditions, the bail bond will be returned to you.
But if they don’t, well, that’s why you can take training about how to become a bail bondsman and learn the ropes through apprenticeship as you go along. And once again—no courtroom drama necessary here!
4. Legal Researcher
What does a legal researcher do? They research to help lawyers’ cases by finding precedent laws, previous issues, and other helpful information.
Their duties include assessing the strength (or weakness) of their client’s case by researching both state and federal laws, finding issues that are similar to their current issue, reading through legal articles, summarizing each key point to relay to law firms, and working together with lawyers to develop strategies that will help them win their case(s).
Legal researchers typically need at least an undergraduate degree in any subject. Some employers may accept a bachelor’s degree in one specific discipline, such as politics or history. In contrast, others require applicants to have a master’s degree in a relevant field such as law studies.
5. Court Clerk
If you’d rather be behind the scenes than in front of the judge, then you might enjoy the role of the court clerk. As a court clerk, you’ll be responsible for assisting judges and lawyers with their cases by performing administrative tasks such as filing documents, organizing case files, and scheduling hearings.
To become a court clerk, you may need a high school diploma, but in most cases, you’re required to attend law-related college coursework. You also have to secure a certification.
6. Legal IT Specialists
Not everyone enjoys paperwork or working behind the scenes, but if you’re especially good with technology and love to solve problems, then a legal IT specialist might be the job for you. Legal IT specialists deal with hardware and software issues to ensure attorneys have the tools they need to succeed.
As a legal IT specialist, your duties may include obtaining new equipment that meets clients’ needs, implementing upgrades or changes to a law office’s electronic system, ensuring the security of confidential client data stored on computers and other devices, troubleshooting hardware/software problems to keep everything running smoothly, training law firm staff on everything from using email systems to using mobile devices so that they can easily submit all their documents electronically.
You may also consult with outside professionals, like information technology consultants, to help solve any problems that can’t be fixed in-house.
Legal IT specialists usually need an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in computer science or criminal justice. Most employers prefer applicants with extensive PC experience and strong research skills.
Courtroom scenes can be intense, and not everyone who likes a legal job will feel comfortable with being there. If this is you, these legal jobs will feel like a perfect fit. With your online degree in hand, you’re ready to start taking the necessary steps towards obtaining any of these roles and excelling at them.
