Entry-level Positions for Legal Students From LMU Loyola Law School
Limited entry-level law-related positions exist for undergraduates; "there are limited opportunities when you don't have the law degree," but seeking opportunities outside law schools, such as with nonprofits like the ACLU or in judges' chambers, offers better "feel for, do I like this type of work?" Mentorship is key for those interested in legal academia.
Legal Community Involvement, Networking in Legal Field, Mentorship, Law School Exploration, Alternative Legal Careers
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amy Levin
Clinical Professor of Law
LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
University of California, Berkeley 1994
University of California, Los Angeles JD/MSW
Psychology
Education, Law
Education
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Consider working in various staff positions at a law school to explore the field.
2. Seek out opportunities with nonprofits (like the ACLU) or judges in state/federal courts, which may offer roles for undergraduates.
3. Find a mentor—the most important thing—by getting to know law professors and asking about their career paths in legal education.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
That's an interesting question. I'm not sure there are many students who work at law schools. Some legal clinics may have a role for non-lawyers to help out and see if it would be interesting.
In terms of undergrads, I think they might work in various staff positions at the law school to see if they like it, but there are limited opportunities when you don't have a law degree. I'm sure students can sit through classes, and there are opportunities, but I'm not quite sure.
At our law school, I don't see a lot of undergrads. We are joined with an undergraduate university, but we're on different campuses. If law school is something you're interested in, I would encourage undergraduate students to talk to people in law school, lawyers, and practitioners in the field.
Talk to professors and learn as much about it as possible. It's not like an undergrad working in a science lab to get a feel for it and then deciding on a degree in biology or chemistry. It's a little different in terms of experiencing it through an internship or externship.
However, outside the law school, there are nonprofits like the ACLU, or judges in state or federal court who may allow undergrads in and have a role for them. I would encourage looking in the community, within the legal community, for opportunities rather than at the law school itself.
I think that's where students would get a better feel for whether they like this type of work. It's a matter of researching which judges or organizations might accept an undergrad. They are out there, and there are fellowships even for high school students.
I'm pretty sure the ACLU, for example, will take high school students. Contacting organizations and asking is key. Even if they don't have a formal program, they might have an informal one that gives students an idea of what they can do. So, it's more about the legal community than the law school itself.
In terms of education, I think it would be a matter of talking to professors and finding out why they entered education. Get to know your professors and find a mentor. I think finding a mentor is the most important thing.
If education is something you're interested in, get to know a few professors whose teaching you like. If you think, "I want to be a professor, I want to teach like them," have them help mentor and guide you through the process.