When thinking about professionals who gained their education studying law, the first position that comes to mind is a lawyer.
However, there are many other careers you can gain if you get a degree in legal studies. These are professions that most people either don’t know about that are in demand and popular if you don’t want to become an attorney.
Paralegal
A paralegal is a professional who serves as an important support person for a lawyer. They do much of the leg work for attorneys while the attorneys focus on going to trial. Paralegals can meet with clients but are not allowed to give legal advice due to their lack of law degrees.
They perform extensive research on cases and laws, gather evidence for cases, provide summaries of information, and help lawyers prepare for going to trial. If you have ever considered this career and ask the question of “How much do paralegals make,” their salaries average at around $52,000 per year.
It’s worth noting that you need a bachelor’s degree and a certificate to become a paralegal.
Bailiff
The bailiff is certainly an overlooked profession in the law field. They are also known as court officers and work in the courtroom, ensuring that everyone is safe. Bailiffs serve as security for the court, escort the jury and deliver paperwork to the judge. They also enforce other rules of the courtroom decided by the judge.
On average, a bailiff makes around $48,000 per year. You don’t need a college degree to secure this profession unless you work in a higher court. In that case, you may need a degree in Criminal Justice.
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Mediator
A mediator is a law professional who helps people come to an agreement in their case. They are a neutral party that can help prevent a matter from going to court. They listen to both sides and help them come to an agreement on the situation.
Mediators are experts at communication and negotiation and can help people save a lot of money, time, and stress by coming to a faster, easier settlement. On average, mediators make around $64,000 per year in salary.
In most states, you need 20 to 40 hours of training under an established mediator to get into this profession.
Court Reporter
Court reporters transcribe court proceedings and hearings word for word. They are required to provide an accurate record of the legal proceedings as well as any actions that occur in the courtroom.
They are required to have a sharp eagle’s eye for detail. They must also clarify testimony that may be complex so that it can be more easily understood. Court reporters organize their transcriptions and edit them as well.
On average, the salary for a court reporter is around $50,000. You must gain a license to get into this career or get a certificate or associate’s degree in court reporting.
Probation Officer
A probation officer is required to work with offenders who were recently released on parole. They help people get job training, administer drug testing, and give parolees information on rehab if they need it.
Probation officers are required to keep reports of the progress of the parolees they work with and meet with them and their families to keep on top of things. They also offer support whenever necessary.
Probation officers earn an average of $54,000. You need a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and must pass a background check and drug test to get this position.
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Court Clerk
A court clerk performs various clerical tasks in the courtroom. They prepare the docket every day, collect and process court fee payments, and record depositions for cases. They are also responsible for contacting witnesses, lawyers, and litigants to get and share information about court cases.
The average salary for this profession is around $39,000 and usually, only a high school diploma or associate’s degree in Criminal Justice is required. However, for a federal court position, you may need a Master’s or law degree.
If you’ve ever longed for a career in law but prefer not to go through law school, you might want to consider one of these careers. If you want to know more, you can look up the information on reputable sites like ParalegalEDU.com.
