Nontraditional Career Paths for Law Students

With summer internships and externships underway for many law students this summer, we wanted to highlight some JD advantage career paths to consider for any 1Ls or 2Ls seeking more opportunities to use their legal knowledge during law school. Many of these opportunities can be found within nonprofits, legal aid organizations, law firms, and companies, allowing for the opportunity to network within your desired workplace after graduation!

Legal Content Creator

We are living unprecedented times and law students are uniquely positioned to provide a deeper dive into prominent legal issues. Content creation can be done by making short form videos, long form videos, or even written content like blogposts and articles. There are many law firms and companies that need help with their online presence and by becoming their designated content creator, you can help fill this void! Moreover, if you would prefer to be an independent content creator, this path is easier to start on your own.

Legal Tech Customer Success or Support Specialist

Many legal tech product companies look for employees with a legal background to help provide support for their customers. Legal tech products include but are not limited to management systems (like Clio or LegalServer), contract tools (like PandaDoc), and legal research services (like Westlaw or LexisNexis). Usually, these do not require technical expertise since you will be interacting with clients and helping them use these tools. Being able to learn how to use the tools that are prevalent across the law profession will help prepare you if and when you are ready to practice! 

Access to Justice Internship or Fellowship

For the more mission driven law students, there are many Access to Justice related opportunities where you can leverage your legal knowledge to start helping people. These positions usually match you with a nonprofit, legal aid, or court system to help them with a project. Many focus on helping these organizations with their legal resources to cater to their community. For those interested in the intersection between Access to Justice and technology, the Access to Justice Tech Fellows Program is a great way to get started! I started at A2J Tech as an Access to Justice Fellow and helped grow the company to where it is today! 

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Exploring nontraditional career paths as a law student can open unexpected doors and help you build a skillset that is both versatile and impactful. Whether you are passionate about storytelling, technology, or Access to Justice, there are countless ways to apply your legal training beyond the traditional summer associate route. The legal profession is evolving, and law students who think creatively about their careers will be well positioned to lead that change. So take initiative, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to chart your own path because you never know where it might lead!