About the course
Take a deep dive into the diverse career paths in the legal field. You'll hear
from experienced lawyers who'll share firsthand accounts of their careers, giving
you a clearer picture of what it's like to work in different legal roles. By the end of
this course, you'll have a better understanding of your legal career options and be
equipped to make an informed decision about the path that aligns with your
personal and professional goals.
Drawing insights from LawHub's popular I Am The Law podcast, this
exploratory course will give you the flexibility to explore legal professions at your
own pace. Whether you're drawn to a specific practice area or still figuring out
where your interests lie, this course allows you to navigate through lessons in any
order.
Syllabus
All
Introduction
Areas of Law
Course Review
M1
Not completed
Introduction
In this course, you'll have the opportunity to explore many career paths you
might pursue as you consider a profession in the legal field. Let's set the stage for
the exciting career exploration ahead!
M2
Not completed
Explore and reflect on legal career paths
As you explore the legal career paths highlighted in this course, take time to
reflect, record what you learn, and identify which areas of law feel like they could
be a good fit for you. We'll provide an activity designed to help you record your
thoughts as you explore a variety of law careers.
M3
Not completed
School yourself on education law
In this lesson, you'll meet Hannah Wagner, an attorney for Legal Aid of
Southeast Ohio, as we break down the field of education law.
M4
Not completed
Public defenders: A commitment to justice
According to the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, people accused
of a crime have the right to "assistance of counsel," or the right to an attorney, at no
cost. This is where a public defender's work begins. In this lesson, attorney Matt
Skinner, assistant deputy public defender in the New Jersey Office of the Public
Defender, describes what it's like to do this work.
M5
Not completed
Now, there's an idea: Working as a patent lawyer
Getting and protecting a patent is complicated, and that's where a patent
lawyer comes in. In this lesson, Allan Carlsen describes his path to becoming a
patent lawyer and the opportunities and challenges he's experienced along the way.
M6
Not completed
Who's to judge? Understanding life on the bench
In this lesson, the Honorable Elizabeth Rohl, of Pierce County Circuit Court
in Wisconsin, will discuss her journey to becoming a judge, what types of cases
she hears, and what her job entails.
M7
Not completed
'In our defense': Working as a private criminal defense attorney
Individuals, groups, and organizations charged with a crime have the right to
an attorney. As access to a free criminal defense attorney is restricted to people
with limited financial means, many people, groups, and organizations charged with
crimes turn to private attorneys to handle their cases. In this lesson, Rob Alexander,
founding partner of Vanguard Advocates, shares what it takes to research and
prepare for a criminal defense case.
M8
Not completed
Elected attorneys: Leadership, politics, and the public
District attorney, state attorney, attorney general, county attorney ... these
legal titles often require a lawyer to win an election to hold the position. One such
lawyer is Christian Menefee, the Harris County attorney in Houston, Texas. In this
lesson, Menefee describes the hats he wears and the types of cases his office takes
on representing the people who live in a major metropolitan area.
M9
Not completed
Serving communities: Working in a public prosecutor's office
All criminal prosecutors are public lawyers whose clients are the members
of the public they represent. State prosecutors enforce state laws, and U.S.
attorneys enforce federal, or nationwide, laws. The head of a state prosecution
office can be elected or appointed. The head of a federal prosecution office is
appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. All the lawyers who
work for these heads are deputies or assistants. This lesson focuses on the deputy
and assistant prosecutors.
M10
Not completed
It pays to be civil: The lawyers who work non-criminal cases
When a person says they're going to sue someone, or a business, or the
government, they're usually talking about starting a civil lawsuit. The process of
pursuing or defending a civil lawsuit is called civil litigation, and the lawyers who
represent clients involved in civil lawsuits are called civil litigators. In this lesson,
attorney Nathania Reyes, an associate at Sherman Atlas Sylvester & Stamelman,
shares about her work handling commercial disputes as a civil litigator.
M11
Not completed
Weathering the storm: Attorneys who practice environmental law
One of the more specialized branches of the legal profession belongs to
those who practice environmental law. In this lesson, Pilar Thomas, a partner at the
Tucson, Arizona, office of the Quarels and Brady law firm, shares how she
practices environmental law with regard to energy and economic development.
M12
Not completed
Dealmaking: Working as a corporate transactional attorney
The world of business can often seem like a whirlwind of deals, many of
them corporations buying and selling smaller companies or organizations and
merging to consolidate production. In this lesson, Eric Lauria-Banta, senior
counsel at Foley and Lardner LLP, describes the work of a transactions lawyer and
the joys and challenges he faces in his career.
M13
Not completed
In-house counsel: The"go-to" lawyer on the inside
Businesses around the world require legal advice and representation on the
products and services they create and offer, as well as how they are organized and
work with their employees, government agencies, and other businesses and
financial institutions. This lesson explores the role of in-house counsel.
M14
Not completed
Reflect on legal careers
As you explore the legal career paths highlighted in this course, take time to
reflect, record what you learn, and identify which areas of law feel like they could
be a good fit for you. We'll provide an activity designed to help you record your
thoughts as you explore a variety of law careers.
M15
Not completed
Review: Voices of the Law
This lesson recaps of what you've learned and provides additional resources
to explore.
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