As a public interest lawyer, you would focus on cases and causes that are significant to the general public. Oftentimes, you would provide legal services to disadvantaged and low-income groups in society. You may work directly with clients, or you may work on public policy and impact litigation. If you work directly with clients, you may provide legal representation in matters involving housing, immigration, family, government benefits, community development, employment, consumer, bankruptcy, education, discrimination and child advocacy. Some public interest lawyers work for organizations that are trying to effect change in laws and our society. This involves research, advocacy with political leaders and administrative and legislative bodies, and litigation. An example of this type of public interest organization is the American Civil Liberties Union.
It should be noted that attorneys working in the private sector often pursue their passion for public interest work through pro bono projects (oftentimes coordinated through their employer) and other volunteer opportunities with public interest organizations and other nonprofit entities. These pro bono and volunteer attorneys play an important role in providing legal services to individuals and communities that lack the critical resources needed to address their legal issues.
Life in the Judiciary:
Many new law school graduates clerk for a local, state or federal judge. Your work as a clerk can vary, but typically involves researching, reviewing and summarizing legal issues in cases before the court; drafting orders, internal memoranda, and opinions; and observing various judicial proceedings. Clerkships generally are for one- or two-year terms, watch movies online though occasionally permanent positions (often called "staff clerks") are available. Clerkship experience is highly valued by most legal employers and viewed as a springboard into positions in private practice, government and public interest.
An extremely small percentage of lawyers work as judges. Judges can be either appointed or elected and lawyers typically are not afforded this opportunity until many years into their professional careers.
Lawyers in academia teach, counsel and serve as administrators. If you want to teach, you will often need some practical legal experience before becoming a professor. As a tenure-track professor, your focus will be on researching and writing scholarly articles and books. You can also teach students practical skills through clinical teaching or serving as a legal research and writing instructor.
You do not have to be a professor to work in a law school. You also could work as a program administrator, career counselor, or admissions professional. Also, a small number of lawyers practice law on behalf of universities in the university counsel's office.
Non-Traditional Paths:
You may know people who have law degrees but don't practice law. It is certainly true that people with JD degrees work in a wide variety of alternative careers. However, while that may be true down the road, lawyers most often choose a non-traditional path after practicing law for at least a few years.
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