Alternative Legal Careers
By Michael Umberger
Updated November 2019
Books
Liz Brown, Life After Law: Finding Work You Love With the J.D. You Have (2013).
Author's Description
KF297 .B725 2013 (Career Services)
Brannon P. Denning, Becoming a Law Professor: A Candidate's Guide (2010).
Publisher's Description
KF272 .D46 2010 (On Reserve)
R.L. Hermann, Law Teaching and Training: Law Schools and Way Beyond (2017).
Author's Description
KF299 .L44 H47 2017 V.10 (Career Services)
Amy Impellizzeri, Lawyer Interrupted: Successfully Transitioning from the Practice of Law -- And Back Again (2015).
Publisher's Description
KF297 .I47 2015 (Stacks)
Alan B. Morrison & Diane T. Chin, Beyond the Big Firm: Profiles of Lawyers Who Want Something More (2007).
Publisher's Description
KF299 .P8 M67 2007 (Career Services)
Monica Parker, The Unhappy Lawyer: A Roadmap to Finding Meaningful Work Outside of the Law (2008).
Publisher's Description
HF5384.P37 2008 (Career Services)
Larry Richard, The New What Can You Do With a Law Degree: A Lawyer's Guide to Career Satisfaction Inside, Outside & Around the Law (6th ed. 2012).
This updated edition of a classic book focuses on the fit between your career identity and your job. It includes a compendium of over 800 ways to use your law degree.
KF297 .A9 A772 2012 (Career Services)
Deborah Schneider & Gary Belsky, Should You Really Be a Lawyer: The Guide to Smart Career Choices Before, During, and After Law School (2010).
This book will help you decide whether to enter--or remain--in law.
KF297 .S36 2010 (Career Services)
Yale Law School Career Development Office, Lawyers in Business (PDF).
A detailed guide to business careers for lawyers.
Articles
Alternative Careers, Probate & Property, Sept./Oct. 2011, at 8.
Casey Berman, Nine Non-Legal Jobs You Can (Really, Truly) Do With a Law Degree, Above the Law, Nov. 17, 2013.
Erin Binns, How to Rethink Interview Preparation for Alternative Careers, Student Lawyer, Sept. 2014, at 14.
Alyson Carrel, Choosing ADR Careers at the Start: It Is Possible, Dispute Resolution Magazine, Spring 2015, at 30.
Eric C. Chaffee, From Law Practice to the Legal Academy: How to Make the Leap, Young Lawyer, Dec. 2011, at 4.
Carla J. DeVelder, The Other Legal Jobs: Where to Find Them, How to Get Them, Student Lawyer, Feb. 2013, at 27.
Joseph Fawbush, What Alternative Legal Career Is Right for You?, FindLaw, July 12, 2019.
G.M. Filisko, Finding Your Nonlegal Niche: We Sit Down with Four JD-Wielding Professionals Who've Used Their Degrees to Pursue Other Passions, Student Lawyer, Sept. 2014, at 24.
Ed Finkel, International Intrigue: Overseas Opportunities Abound for Those Willing to Stomach the Risks, Student Lawyer, Jan. 2015, at 20.
Nicholas Gaffney, Alternative Careers for Lawyers, Law Practice Today, Jan. 14, 2015.
Roy Ginsburg, Get a Better Job: When and How to Pursue an Alternative Career, The Lawyerist, Dec. 29, 2013.
Hillary Mantis, The Ultimate Alternative Legal Careers, The National Jurist, May 2, 2018.
Gary A. Munneke, What You Can Do with a Law Degree (Besides Practice Law), Student Lawyer, Jan. 2012, at 24.
Geetha Ravindra & Timothy K. Hedeen, Alternative Paths to Careers in ADR, Dispute Resolution Magazine, Spring 2015, at 11.
Suzanne Craig Robertson, Your Flexible Law Degree, Tennessee Bar Journal, May 2014, at 12.
Ambrosio Rodriguez, JD Detours: Alternative Career Paths for Lawyers, ABA for Students, Dec. 3, 2018.
Rebecca Stonawksi, In Addition to the Law Degree, 21 Education and Law Journal 267 (Oct. 2012).
Mary Whisner, Update to Choosing Law Librarianship: Thoughts for People Contemplating a Career Move, LLRX, April 4, 2008.
Other
The National Association for Law Placement (NALP), Alternative Career Handouts:
- From Lawyer to Administrator (PDF)
- Alternative Career Testimonials (PDF)
- The Before & After Resume: Effective Resumes for the Alternative Career Job Search (PDF)
- Handling Tough Interview Issues (PDF)
- Higher Education Law at a Glance (PDF - provided by National Association of College and University Attorneys)