The law industry is financially blooming with intellectually rewarding ventures. Indeed, you won’t just be able to rake in a competitive salary, but you’ll also be engaged in advocating causes and resolving complex issues. However, all the years to be spent in law school, plus the equally daunting bar exam, may be holding you back from pursuing a career in the legal field.
Although many people think of lawyers immediately when talking about a legal job, there are many other lucrative career opportunities that don’t necessitate a costly and time-consuming law education. Here, we’ll discuss what occupations in the legal market don’t require a degree in law:
Law Firm Marketer
A career in law firm marketing centralizes on creative legal work. This involves ad placement, landing page copy, website design, and social engagement.
The average median salary range of a law firm marketer is around $24,000 to $65,000. To become one, you must have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related program. Although it’s not required, you may also be recommended to undergo some training in legal ethics.
Bail Bondsman
If you know someone who has been arrested, then you are most likely aware that the first thing they would do is to make sure that they get out of jail as soon as possible. They will call their bondsman in Raleigh, NC, and have them do the job real quick.
A bail bondsman provides funds so a criminal offender can be released temporarily before their court trial. They close deals through a legally binding contract, which requires either a co-signer or property collateral.
But, have you ever wondered how much they earn? The bonds industry showcases high profitability. In fact, in the United States alone, it’s been reported that approximately $14 billion of bond turnover is being made every year.
Although the median income of a bail bondsman varies depending on the state of operation and the level of experience, it ranges between $25,000 and $50,000 per year. In Raleigh, North Carolina, the average annual salary of bail bondsmen with high expertise is $54,593, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To acquire a license, one has to be of legal age with at least a high school diploma. A short prerequisite program must then be completed followed by successfully taking the national licensure exam for bail bond agents.
Paralegal
Also called legal assistants, the primary responsibilities of paralegals include researching legal issues, preparing legal documents, and providing assistance to clients either in consultation or documentation. This career has been voted by CNN as one of the top 20 jobs in the U.S.
Opportunities in the paralegal field continue to expand since clients aim for the reduction of legal service expenses. Typically, the annual salary range of paralegals is set around $47,351 to $60,462. The education and licensure requirement for this job is simply a bachelor’s degree and paralegal certification.
Legal Secretary
Due to heightened demand for legal services, opportunities for legal secretaries or administrative assistants in corporate legal departments and law firms began to grow as well. Legal secretaries are responsible for handling administrative tasks for either a lawyer or a team. These include handling correspondence, preparing legal documents like contracts, memoranda and briefs, managing schedules, keeping records and documentation, and other similar tasks.
The median salary reportedly ranges from $40,372 to $53,522. As for the job qualifications, all you need is a high school diploma and although not a requisite, it will be helpful to have some knowledge of legal procedures and terminologies.
The legal market is ripe with numerous opportunities. If you don’t have the resources to finance an expensive education and stay in law school for a significant period of time, there are plenty of other options to consider. Conduct extensive research on different career pathways and you’ll definitely find one that is suitable for you.
