Mihaylo Career Services
SGMH 1409 • mihaylocareers@fullerton.edu • (657) 278-8738 • business.fullerton.edu/careerservices
Career Resource Guide: Management - Legal Studies
Career options are varied. Entry-level professional positions are available within corporate departments like finance and business operations, although some jobs may require
additional education or training (J.D./MBA). Graduates may also pursue law-related
occupations in the government sector, including state level criminal justice agencies
and the court system.
For current list of career
path advisors please visit:
business.fullerton.edu/stude
ntservices/careerpath.html
Graduates desiring additional career opportunities and advancement can pusue a
master’s degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with or without a legal studies concentration.
These degree programs can usually be completed in an additional 2-4 years. Students may also pursue law school
admission. A Jurist Doctorate (J.D.) degree takes three years to complete and qualifies students to sit for their
state’s bar exam, which results in their license to practice law as an attorney. Some schools also offer a joint
J.D./MBA program.
A career in business law is one of the most financially rewarding
careers. A business thrives on the expertise of a business lawyer
with regards to the legalities of running a business. The business
lawyer is responsible for filing and reviewing legal documents,
making contracts and business agreements and reviewing business
documents. A business lawyer provides legal counsel and represents
the company in any legal process. Before becoming a business
lawyer one has to go through rigorous training and education but the
fulfillment that comes with practicing business law is definitely worth
it. Aside from obtaining formal education, one must work to build his
own character.
Source: http://education-portal.com/articles/Bachelor_of_Business_Administration_BBA_Legal_Studies_Degree_Overview.html#relatedSchoolsList
Sample Job Titles:
Entry-Level
� Legal Administrative Assistant
� Law Clerk
� Legal Secretary
� Contracting Professional
� Paralegal
Mid-Level
� In-House Associate Counsel*
� Assistant U.S. Attorney*
� Associate at Private Firm*
Skills/Experiences Required:
� Reading/Writing Comprehension
� Ability to Synthesize Information
� Negotiation Skills
Pinnacle
� Partner*
� Lead Attorney*
� Owner of practice*
*Jurist Doctorate required
� E Filing
� Legal Research
� Word Processing
Mihaylo Career Services
SGMH 1409 • mihaylocareers@fullerton.edu • (657) 278-8738 • business.fullerton.edu/careerservices
Career Resource Guide: Management - Legal Studies
Starting Salaries/Trajectory*:
NACE 2012 average starting salary: $41,000 (Political Science/Government Professional Services)
BLS 2011 average salary: $ $46,730 (Paralegal/Legal Assistant)/$113,310 (Lawyer [JD Required])
Professional Associations/Certifications:
� Accredited Legal Secretary
� Professional Legal Secretary
� Professional Paralegal
� Certified Paralegal
� Certified Legal Assistant
� Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam
*Note: Salaries are highly dependent on location, company type, and candidate
experience/education. For the purposes of this guide, we are providing average starting
salaries as determined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE),
overall average salaries as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as well
as supplemental information found from various industry-specific sources.
Industry Research and Tools:
� legalnut.com
� lawyerist.com/careers/
� www.streetlaw.com/careers.html
Job and Internship Search Sites:
� lawjobs.com
� law-jobs.theladders.com/
� legalstaff.com
With this field you want to find either a legal organization, a large corporate
organization with a dedicated legal department, or work in the public court system.
About this guide: This resource guide is intended to provide an introduction to the industry and relay a sampling of the resources
available to candidates. It is by no means comprehensive, nor intended to replace individual research based on specific job targets
and/or recommendations from an advisor.