Discover the Variety of Law-Related Jobs that Go Beyond the Courtroom

Summary:

The law is a vast field that extends far beyond the dramas you see on TV. For high school students interested in the law, there are a variety of legal professions that do not require arguing a case in front of a jury.

Key Points:

• The legal services market was estimated to be worth $396.80 billion in 2024.
• There are many options for careers that do not include arguing a courtroom case.
• High school students can start the learning process with top universities through pre-college online courses.

The U.S. law business is in high growth mode. In fact, the legal services market was estimated to be worth $396.80 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% from 2025 to 2030. If your impression of the law is limited to arguing for your client in court, yet you hate public speaking, you may think the law is not for you. The truth is, numerous options for legal careers do not involve litigation. Read on.

For high school students interested in the law but curious about what they might do working behind the scenes, there are numerous jobs to consider, some of which do not require a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree. Here are a few examples of legal support careers:

• In-house counsel: You’ll work within an organization, guiding on issues like contract negotiations, policy development, risk management, intellectual property, outside counsel management, and more.
• Legal operations: This fast-growing field is one of the best alternatives for lawyers. Legal ops enhances the productivity of their legal departments by optimizing workflows, implementing new technologies, managing budgets, and analyzing data to support informed decision-making.
• Legal consultant: These sought-after professionals offer specialized legal advice to businesses, individuals, or law firms, often on a project basis. Legal consultants work on compliance issues, policy development, and risk management strategies, among other tasks.
• Mediator or arbitrator: Mediators and arbitrators assist clients in resolving disputes outside the courtroom. This job is ideal for individuals with strong communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Contract manager: These professionals oversee the entire lifecycle of contracts, from drafting and negotiation through to execution and renewal. You may also manage contract databases, review legal agreements, monitor compliance, and resolve disputes.
• Legal recruiter: In this role, lawyers match legal professionals with job openings in law firms, corporate legal departments, and corporations. Your legal background is used to assess the qualifications and fit of candidates for specific legal roles. 
• Legal tech entrepreneur: These professionals identify opportunities to create technological solutions for the legal industry. If you are tech-savvy and have a passion for problem-solving, you might develop software applications, platforms, or tools to streamline legal processes, improve efficiency, and enhance client communication. 

That’s just a taste of the options available to lawyers who seek a different direction than the traditional prosecution/defense attorney route. You may also choose to serve as a law school professor, legal marketing specialist, or regulatory affairs specialist, for instance. The options are broad. 

When is the best time to start your path toward a future in the legal profession? Now, while you’re still in high school. Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, partners with some of the best colleges and universities in the nation to bring you pre-college online courses in law and many other relevant subjects. Start educating yourself today.

Begin your path to the legal profession in high school

If the law is something you’re considering, why not acquaint yourself with it while you’re still in high school? Here are some of the best pre-college online programs designed for motivated teens like you.

Let’s start with College preparatory courses in law, available through the Wake Forest Pre-College Online Immersion Program. Their course, Criminal Law: Inside the Courtroom presents some of the most challenging cases, from illegal drug sales to murder. You’ll learn the process from both prosecution and defense attorneys, exploring everything from evidence analysis and witness interviewing to sentencing. You’ll understand the 4th Amendment protections regarding search and seizure, explore the role motions play in criminal cases, and learn the difference between a hearing and a trial. 

Consider Notre Dame’s law course for teens. Law: Thinking Like a Lawyer covers a rich array of legal areas that all lawyers need to know: criminal, constitutional, sports, and intellectual property law. You’ll learn how the IRAC method is used to analyze legal issues, and you’ll explore all the major components of the international legal system.

Finally, let’s look at Rice University’s Precollege Program. Their course, Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World delves into how the practice of law supports the rights of people. You’ll look at the role law plays at shaping equal opportunity throughout society. You’ll explore ownership rights, employment law, and access to education,among other compelling topics,

Delving into so many aspects of the legal profession while still in high school gives you a real advantage when it’s time to apply to college. All courses are delivered through dynamic videos and feature interactive tools. Plus, you’ll enjoy the support of experienced mentors who will answer questions and guide your learning experience. Successfully delivering a Final Project will earn you a Certificate of Completion from top universities.

This was last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 08/7/2025.