Law is a broad field with pathways in firms, corporate legal departments, government, and public interest. This guide breaks down common practice areas, daily responsibilities, skills and credentials, and how to grow—from entry roles to leadership.
Table of contents
Where lawyers work
- Law firms: From boutiques to global firms; mix of litigation, transactional, and advisory work.
- In-house counsel: Embedded in companies; focus on business enablement, risk, and compliance.
- Government: Prosecutors, public defenders, agency counsel, regulatory roles.
- Public interest: Legal aid, nonprofits, impact litigation, policy advocacy.
- Alternative legal services: Contract roles, legal ops, compliance, consulting.
Fit matters: Consider client exposure, training, lifestyle, compensation, and mission alignment.
Common practice areas
Litigation
- Civil/commercial: Contract disputes, business torts, class actions.
- Criminal: Prosecution or defense; trial-heavy and motion practice.
- Appellate: Brief writing, oral arguments, precedent strategy.
Corporate and transactions
- M&A: Deal negotiation, due diligence, definitive agreements.
- Capital markets: Offerings, disclosures, governance.
- Commercial contracts: Drafting, negotiation, lifecycle management.
Regulatory and specialty
- Employment/labor: Policies, investigations, disputes.
- IP: Patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing.
- Privacy/compliance: Data governance, regulatory frameworks.
- Real estate: Leasing, acquisitions, development.
- Tax: Structuring, planning, controversy.
Personal services
- Family law: Divorce, custody, support.
- Estate planning: Wills, trusts, probate.
- Immigration: Petitions, removal defense, compliance.
- Personal injury: Torts, negotiation, trial work.
Day-to-day responsibilities
- Client service: Intake, counseling, updates, strategic advice.
- Research and writing: Memos, motions, briefs, opinions, policies.
- Drafting and negotiation: Contracts, settlements, pleadings, orders.
- Discovery and diligence: Document review, depositions, interviews.
- Advocacy: Hearings, trial practice, negotiations, regulatory submissions.
- Project and matter management: Scoping, budgets, timelines, stakeholders.
- Business development (firms): Networking, thought leadership, pitches.
Variation: Work mix changes by practice area, seniority, and employer type.
Core skills and tools
- Legal analysis: Issue spotting, application of law to facts, risk framing.
- Writing and clarity: Persuasive, concise, audience-sensitive communication.
- Negotiation: BATNA/anchoring, interest-based solutions, closing.
- Organization: Matter workflows, deadlines, prioritization.
- Client empathy: Business context, human stakes, confidentiality.
- Tech literacy: E-discovery, contract lifecycle tools, research databases.
- Ethics and professionalism: Conflicts, privilege, candor, competence.
Edge: Pair doctrinal strength with practical process skills—templates, checklists, and playbooks.
Credentials and continuing education
- Education: Undergraduate degree → law degree (JD or equivalent).
- Bar admission: Pass bar exam and meet character/fitness requirements.
- Clerkships: Judicial experience can boost litigation and appellate careers.
- Certifications: Specialty board certifications where available; mediation/arbitration training.
- CLE: Continuing legal education; ethics and practice-area updates.
Practical experience: Clinics, externships, internships, and pro bono build real-world skills and networks.
Career paths and progression
Law firm track
- Entry: Junior associate (rotations or assigned practice).
- Mid: Senior associate/counsel—lead pieces of matters, client contact.
- Senior: Partner—originations, leadership, mentoring, firm governance.
- Alternative: Staff attorney, knowledge management, litigation support.
In-house track
- Entry: Corporate counsel supporting a business unit or function.
- Mid: Senior counsel/lead for key portfolios (privacy, IP, commercial).
- Senior: AGC/Deputy GC → General Counsel; legal ops leadership.
Government/public interest
- Entry: Prosecutor/PD, agency attorney, legal aid staff.
- Mid: Unit lead, appellate advocate, policy counsel.
- Senior: Section chief, impact litigation director, elected roles.
Adjacent roles
- Compliance and risk: Program design, audits, remediation.
- Legal operations: Vendors, budgets, tooling, process improvement.
- Consulting/ADR: Mediation, arbitration, expert testimony.
Hiring and interview tips
- Show outcomes: Quantify results (settlements, deals closed, risks mitigated).
- Tailor materials: Align resume, writing sample, and transactions list to the role.
- Scenario prep: Be ready for behavioral and case-style questions.
- Writing sample quality: Choose concise, impactful work with clear analysis.
- Business awareness: For in-house, know revenue models, stakeholders, and priorities.
- References: Line up supervisors or clients who can speak to reliability and judgment.
Ethics check: Protect confidentiality—redact client info and avoid privileged content in samples.
FAQs
What’s the difference between litigation and transactional work?
Litigation centers on disputes—court filings, motions, discovery, and trials. Transactional work structures deals and agreements, emphasizing risk allocation and clarity.
How do new lawyers build credibility?
Deliver reliable work, meet deadlines, ask smart clarifying questions, and learn clients’ business or personal priorities. Keep a personal playbook of precedents and templates.
Is networking really necessary?
Yes. Relationships drive opportunities, mentorship, and client work. Prioritize genuine value—share resources, publish insights, and follow up consistently.
How can I manage workload sustainably?
Set expectations, track time realistically, batch similar tasks, and use checklists. Raise issues early to prevent surprises for clients and teams.