Researching Careers in Law

Last Updated 5/2007 Direct feedback on this page to lawlib@umn.edu.

» Introduction

» General Legal Career & Employment Resources

» Legal Employment Statistics

» Family Law Employment

» Environmental Law Employment

» Government Employment

» Public Interest Employment

Directories

Attorney & Law Firm Directories
Directories by Legal Specialty
Corporate Counsel Directories
Directories by Geographic Area
Bar Association Directories
Judicial/Court Directories
Organization & Association Directories & Information
Federal Government Directories
NALP Directory of Legal Employers

Introduction

Legal job seekers require information about potential employers, including directory and background information. Library resources include directories, manuals, periodicals and indexes, online databases, and other resources. "People" resources need to be consulted as well. For instance, a student might want to network and form contacts with an attorney in a firm, corporation or foundation in which s/he is interested.

This research guide lists sources for finding information about careers in law, though it is by no means exhaustive. Library of Congress subject headings are provided to enable users to find other relevant sources. Sources owned by the University of Minnesota Law Library are listed here.

Westlaw offers:

LawStudentJobsOnline -- an extensive database of positions (e.g., summer) available nationwide and abroad for current law students. In addition, special programs for new graduates such as fellowships, honors programs, and judicial clerkships are listed.
AttorneyJobsOnline -- an extensive database of entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level positions for attorneys nationwide and abroad. Plus information on bar admission requirements, alternative legal careers, and a new Directory of Graduate Law Degree Programs.
Attorney Resumes Online -- create online resume profiles and state job preferences so legal employers can match job seekers' skills and interests to their hiring needs.

The LexisNexis Career Library provides job prospecting tools for exploring positions in different work environments - from private law firms to public-interest firms to judicial clerkships.

A separate University of Minnesota Law Library research guide, Researching Careers in International Law, is also available, and a variety of resources and professional placement services are offered in the Career and Professional Development Center in Room 96 on the Sub-Plaza level of Mondale Hall.

General Legal Career & Employment Resources

italicized

MNCAT

law--vocational guidance--[geographical jurisdiction/area], i.e. law--vocational guidance--united states
lawyers--employment--[geographical jurisdiction/area], i.e. lawyers--employment--minnesota

Munneke, Gary A., WIlliam D. Henslee, and Ellen Wayne. Nonlegal Careers for Lawyers, 5th ed. Chicago, IL: ABA, Law Practice Management Section, 2006. Call Number: Reserve KF297 .M862 2006. [Location: Law, RESERVE].
Robert Half Legal. 2006 Salary Guide. Menlo Park, CA: Robert Half Legal, 2005. Call Number: K129 .R63x 2005. [Location: Law, Third Floor].
Schneider, Deborah and Gary Belsky. Should You Really Be a Lawyer?: The Guide to Smart Career Choices Before, During & After Law School. Seattle, WA: Decision Books, 2005. Call Number: KF297 .S36 2005. [Location: Law, RESERVE].
Arron, Deborah. Running From the Law: Why Good Lawyers Are Getting Out of the Legal Profession. 3rd. ed. Seattle, WA: Decision Books, 2004. Call Number: KF297 .A87 2004. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Arron, Deborah. What Can You Do With a Law Degree?: A Lawyer's Guide to Career Alternatives Inside, Outside & Around the Law. 5th ed. Seattle, WA: Decision Books, 2004. Call Number: KF297 .A875 2004. [Location: Law, RESERVE].
Bennett, Steven C. The Path to Partnership: A Guide for Junior Associates. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2004. Call Number: KF300 .B36 2004. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Foonberg, Jay G. How to Start and Build a Law Practice. Platinum 5th ed. Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, Law Practice Management Section, Law Student Division, 2004. Call Number: KF300 .F66 2004. [Location: Law, RESERVE].
Horn, Carl. Lawyerlife: Finding a Life and a Higher Calling in the Practice of Law. Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, 2003. Call Number: KF297 .Z9 H67x 2003. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
An Insider's Guide to Interviewing: Insights From the Employer's Perspective. Rev. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: NALP, 2002. Call Number: KF297.Z9 I57x 2002. [Location: Law].
Munneke, Gary A. The Legal Career Guide: From Law Student to Lawyer, 4th ed. Chicago, IL: ABA, 2002. Call Number: KF297 .M96 2002 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
A Career in the Law: A Guide for Women Law Students. New York, NY: NALP, 2001. Call Number: KF299.W6 C37 2001 [Location: Law, RESERVE].
Carey, Christen Civiletto. Full Disclosure: The New Lawyer's Must-Read Career Guide. 2nd ed. New York, NY: ALM Pub., 2001. Call Number: KF300 .C295 2001 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Abrams, Lisa L. The Official Guide to Legal Specialties: An Insider's Guide to Every Major Practice Area. Chicago, IL: Harcourt Legal & Professional Publications, 2000. Call Number: KF 297 .A7512x 2000. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Jobs & J.D.'s: Employment and Salaries of New Law Graduates, Class of ... Washington, DC: NALP, 2000-. (Began with 1999. Annual). Call Number: KF301 .A98x [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Changing Jobs: A Handbook For Lawyers in the New Millennium. 3rd. ed. Chicago, IL: Law Practice Management Section, American Bar Association, 1999. Call Number: Call Number: KF 297 .C463 1999. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Walton, Kimm Alayne. America's Greatest Places to Work With a Law Degree: and How to Make the Most of Any Job, No Matter Where It Is! Chicago, IL: Harcourt Brace Legal & Professional Publications, 1999. Call Number: KF 297 .W35x 1999 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Greenberg, Hindi. The Lawyer's Career Change Handbook: More Than 300 Things You Can Do With a Law Degree. New York, NY: Avon Books, 1998. Call Number: KF 297 .Z9 G74 1998. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Henslee, William D. Entertainment Law Careers. 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, Law Student Division, 1998. Call Number: KF 299 .E57 H46 1998. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
The Lawyer's Guide to Jobsurfing on the Internet. Winston-Salem, NC: Career Education Institutes, 1998. Call Number: K 115 .L39x 1998. [Location: Law, RESERVE].
National Association for Law Placement. Law School Guide to Public Interest Careers. Rev. ed. Washington, DC: Public Service Committee, National Association for Law Placement, 1998. Call Number: KF 299 .P8 N38x 1998. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Park, Stephen K. Public Service and International Law: A Guide to Professional Opportunities in the United States and Abroad. 3rd ed. New Haven, CT: Yale Law School, 1998. Call Number: K 118 .P82 D28 1998. [Location: Law].
Bittan, Bradley M. The Public Defender Experience: A Student Career Guide Into the Heads and Hearts of America's "Real Lawyers". West Hartford, CT: The Graduate Group, 1997. Call Number: KF 299 .C7 B58x 1997. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Turnicky, Ann. How To Get the Job You Want in a Law Firm. New York, NY: J. Wiley, 1997. Call Number: KF 297 .T875 1997 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Guide to Law Specialties. Washington, DC: National Association for Law Placement, 1996. Call Number: KF 297 .G85x 1996. [Location: Law, Plaza Level, RESERVE, & Reference Office].
An Insider's Guide to Interviewing: Insights From the Employer's Perspective. Rev. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: National Association for Law Placement, 1996. Call Number: KF 297 .Z9 I57x 2002. [Location: Law, Plaza Level and RESERVE].
Jobs and Geography: Law Graduates Chart Career Paths / National Association for Law Placement. Washington, DC: The Association, 1996. Call Number: KF301 .J63x 1996. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Sizing Up Private Practice: A Measure of Law Firm Job Opportunities / National Association for Law Placement. Washington, DC: The Association, 1996. Call Number: KF301 .S59x 1996. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Arron, Deborah L. and Deborah Guyol. The Complete Guide to Contract Lawyering: What Every Lawyer and Law Firm Needs to Know About Temporary Legal Services. Seattle, WA: Niche Press, 1995. Call Number: KF315 .A97 1995. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Cain, George H. Turning Points: New Paths and Second Careers for Lawyers. Chicago, IL: Senior Lawyers Division, American Bar Association, 1994. Call Number: KF298 .C24 1994. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Fondell, Joan. Best Resumes for Attorneys. New York, NY: J. Wiley & Sons, 1994. Call Number: KF 297 .F66 1994. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
JD Preferred: 400+ Things You Can Do With a Law Degree (Other Than Practice Law). Washington, DC: Federal Reports, 1994. Call Number: KF 297 .J3x 1994. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Public Interest Job Search Guide: Harvard Law School's Handbook & Employer Directory For Law Students & Practitioners Seeking Public Service. Stacy DeBroff. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Law School, 1991-. [Annual]. Call Number: KF 299 .P8 D43x 1991. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Lawyers In Transition: Planning A Life In The Law. Mark Byers, Don Samuelson, Fordon Williamson. Natick, MA: Barkly Co., 1988. Call Number: KF 297 .B94x 1988. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
From Law Student To Lawyer: A Career Planning Manual. Frances Utley with Gary A. Munneke. Chicago, IL: 1984. Call Number: KF 297 .U837 1984. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Legal Employment Statistics

For statistical information regarding legal employment, try MNCAT subject search:

Lawyers--Employment--United States--Statistics

A Career in the Law: A Guide for Women Law Students. New York, NY: NALP, 2001. Call Number: KF299.W6 C37 2001 [Location: Law, RESERVE].
Jobs & J.D.'s: Employment and Salaries of New Law Graduates, Class of ... Washington, DC: NALP, 2000-. (Began with 1999. Annual). Call Number: KF301 .A98x [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Jobs and Geography: Law Graduates Chart Career Paths. National Association for Law Placement. Washington, DC: The Association, 1996. Call Number: KF 301 .J63x 1996. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Sizing Up Private Practice: A Measure of Law Firm Job Opportunities. National Association for Law Placement. Washington, DC: The Association, 1996. Call Number: KF 301 .S59x 1996. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Family Law Employment

For family law employment, try MNCAT subject search:

Domestic relations--vocational guidance--United States

Vlajcic, Sara. Family Law Careers. Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, Law Student Division, 1998. Call Number: KF 299 .F3 V59 1998. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Environmental Law Employment

For environmental law employment, try MNCAT subject search:

Environmental law--Vocational guidance--United States

Directory of Pro Bono Legal Services Providers for Environmental Justice. Washington, DC: ABA, 1996-. Call Number: KF195.E6 D575. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Environmental Law Careers Directory. Berkeley, CA: Produced by Ecology Law Quarterly, Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, {1989/90-}. Library keeps latest edition only (1992/93). Call Number: KF299.E6 E58x. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Luney, Percy R. Careers in Natural Resources and Environmental Law. Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, 1987. Call Number: KF 299 .E6 L86 1987. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Government Employment

Similar sources regarding government employment can be found on MNCAT by subject searching:

government attorneys--United States
government attorneys--United States--directories
government attorneys--vocational guidance--United States
government attorneys-recruiting--United States
government attorneys--United States-recruiting

Do Your Legal Career Justice: Opportunities For Entry-Level Attorneys and Law Students at the U.S. Department of Justice. Washington, DC: The Department, 2001. Call Number: J1.2: L52/3/ 2001 [Location: Law, US Documents, Second Floor].
What Is Going On In Bankruptcy: Directory of Bankruptcy Practitioners. U.S. Dept. of Justice, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, 1995. Call Number: Mfiche J31.13:B22. [Location: Law, Microform collection, Plaza Level].
Federal Careers for Attorneys: A Guide to Legal Careers in Over 80 Practice Fields. 2nd. ed. Washington, DC: Federal Reports, 1991. Call Number: KF 299 .G6 F43x. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
The Federal Legal Directory. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1990-. [Annual]. Call Number: KF 190 .F43x. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
State Government Attorneys: An Attorney General Reports to the Legislature. St. Paul, MN: Attorney General, 1990. Call Number: Mfiche MINN DOC 90-0224. [Location: Wilson, Magrath, and Law].
Tax law: Legal Careers With the Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service. Washington, DC: Dept. of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, 1990. Call Number: T 22.44/2:673/990. [Location: Government Publications Library, Basement, Wilson Library].
Career Opportunities For Lawyers, In Tax And Nontax Law. Office of the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Treasury, The Service, 1986. Call Number: T 22.2:C 18/3/986 [Location: Wilson, Government Publications Library].
Now Hiring: Government Jobs For Lawyers. Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, Law Student Division, 1984-. Call Number: KF 299 .G6 N6 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Websites (excluding fee-based & subscription-based sites):

USAJOBS is the official job site of the United States Federal Government. It's a one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.

Public Interest Employment

Public interest legal employment involves legal services programs, sometimes called legal aid societies. In this field, attorneys seek to assure access to justice for those who might not otherwise be able to afford a lawyer. These attorneys also assume very large amounts of responsibility very quickly. In fact, once admitted to the bar, a legal aid lawyer is likely to have direct and extensive client contact, as well as full responsibility for the cases of individual clients from start to finish. This includes intensive client contact, time in court, and administrative hearings.

Finding legal services jobs requires dedication, creativity, and perseverance. Funding in this area has been erratic at best. Over time, and especially since congressional budget cuts in 1994, legal services programs have been less able to rely on the federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC) for funding and have needed to cast a wider net. For job-seekers, evidence of relevant coursework and extracurricular activities during law school, as well as previous life experiences, are very important. A second language (other than English), may be very relevant to serving refugees or other recent, under-represented immigrants. Go beyond job advertisements, proactively seek out potential employers, and ask about employment opportunities. Fellowships are often an effective way to enter public service law practice, because the job seeker essentially brings their own funding. Two organizations law students have found effective and successful in this area are the Skadden Fellowship Foundation and Equal Justice Works (formerly NAPIL, the National Association for Public Interest Law.) Harvard Law School's Office of Public Interest Advising has an excellent, well-linked site; and it publishes its Legal Services Career Guide online.

public interest law
public interest law--vocational guidance--united states--handbooks, manuals, etc.
public interest law--united states--directories
lawyers--employment--united states--handbooks, manuals, etc.

Serving the Public: A Job Search Guide: Harvard Law School's Handbook & Directory for Law Students and Lawyers Seeking Public Service Work. 14th ed. Cambridge, MA: Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising, Harvard Law School, 2003-. Call Number: Reserve KF299 .P8 P83 [Location: Law, RESERVE].
Greiman, Virginia A. OPIA's Guide to Conservative/Libertarian Public Interest Law: Exploring Opportunities with Nonprofits, Research Institutes and Government Agencies. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Law School, Office of Public Interest Advising, 2003, at http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/opia/docs/guide-conservative.pdf
LSC's Equal Justice Magazine [electronic resource] / Legal Services Corporation. Washington, DC: Legal Services Corporation, 2002-. Quarterly. [Location: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS24603].
Sarat, Austin & Stuart Scheingold (eds). Cause Lawyering and the State In a Global Era. Oxford; New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2001. Call Number: K118.P82 C38 2001. [Location: Law, Third Floor].
National Association for Law Placement, Public Service Committee. Law School Guide to Public Interest Careers. Rev. ed. Washington, DC: Public Service Committee, National Association for Law Placement, 1998. Call Number: KF299.P8 N38x 1998. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Park, Stephen K. and Susan J. Feathers. Public Service and International Law: A Guide to Professional Opportunities in the United States and Abroad. 3rd. ed. New Haven, CT, 1998. Call Number: K 118 .P82 D28 1998. [Location: Law, Third Floor].
National Association for Law Placement (U.S.) Public Service Committee. Law School Guide to Public Interest Careers. Rev. ed. Washington, DC: Public Service Committee, National Association for Law Placement, 1998. Call Number: KF299.P8 N38x 1998. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Public Interest Job Search Guide: Harvard Law School's Handbook & Directory for Law Students & Practitioners Seeking Public Service Work. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Law School, 1990-. [Annual]. Call Number: KF299 .P8 P83 [Locations: Law, Plaza Level].
The Public Service Employer Directory. Cambridge, MA: Legal Support Systems, 1996/7-. Call Number: KF 299 .P8 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Recommended public interest websites:

Skadden Fellowship Foundation
Equal Justice Works
Harvard Law School, Office of Public Interest Advising
Probono.net -- Lawyers Serving the Public Good.

Directories

Attorney & Law Firm Directories

Directories of lawyers and law firms usually include basic information such as addresses, telephone numbers, telex or fax numbers, descriptions of practice areas, and biographical data on attorneys. Library of Congress Subject Headings on MNCAT include:

lawyers--directories
lawyers--United States--directories
law firms--directories

Leading American Attorneys. Guide to Midwest Leading Attorneys & Law, 2005 ed. St. Paul, MN: Leading American Attorneys, 2005. Call Number KF190 .G85x 2005 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register. Summit, NJ: Martindale-Hubbell, 1990-. Call Number: KF190 .B37 [Locations: Law, Current year in Law, RESERVE].
Who's Who In American Law. Chicago, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1977/78-. Call Number: KF 372 .W48 [Location: Law, Current year in Reference Office, Plaza Level].
Law & Business Directory Of Environmental Attorneys 1992. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Law & Business, 1991. Call Number: KF 195 .E6 L39x 1991 [Location: Law, Reference, Plaza Level].
Law & Business directory of litigation attorneys. Clifton, NJ: Prentice Hall Law & Business, 1990. Call Number: KF195.L53 L39. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Directories By Legal Specialty

For directories containing information about a particular legal specialty try a MNCAT subject search:

lawyers--specialties and specialists--united states--directories

Abrams, Lisa L. The Official Guide to Legal Specialties: An Insider's Guide to Every Major Practice Area. Chicago, IL: Harcourt Legal & Professional Publications, 2000. Call Number: KF 297 .A7512x 2000 [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
Lawyers Register International By Specialties And Fields Of Law Including A Directory Of Corporate Counsel. 10th ed. Solon, OH: Lawyer's Register Pub. Co., 1991-. Call Number: KF 190 .L369 [Location: Law, Reference, Core 1, Plaza Level].

Corporate Counsel Directories

MNCAT subject search:

corporate legal departments--United States--directories

Directory Of Corporate Counsel. New York: Law & Business/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980/81-. KF 195 .C6 D57 [Location: Law, most recent edition in RESERVE; next most recent edition in Reference, Plaza Level].

Directories By Geographic Area

For directories containing information about a specific geographical jurisdiction or area, try these subject heading searches:

lawyers--[geographical jurisdiction/area]--directories; i.e., lawyers--minnesota--directories
law firms--[geographical jurisdiction/area]-- directories; i.e., law firms--united states--directories
lawyers--united states--directories
law firms--united states--directories
lawyers--minnesota--directories
law-vocational guidance--Washington (D.C.)--directories

The Minnesota Legal Directory. Dallas, TX: Legal Directories Pub. Co., 1982-. Call Number: KF 192 .M55 M56. [Location: Law, current edition in Reference Office; previous edition, Plaza Level].
Official Membership Directory -- Minnesota State Bar Association. Minneapolis, MN: The Association, 1929-. MINN-BAR-26- [Location: Law, State Documents, Level Two; Current year shelved in Reference Office].
Hermann, R. L. The Insider's Guide to Private / Nonprofit Legal Employers in the Washington, DC Metro Area. Washington, DC: Federal Reports Inc., 1997. Call Number: Call Number: KF 297 .H47x 1997. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

Directories of Bar Associations

Sources of directory information on bar associations (for contacts concerning the practice of law in another jurisdiction/area and for bar admission requirements) are most effectively found under the subject headings:

bar associations--directories
bar associations--minnesota--periodicals

These directories include:

Bench & Bar Of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN: Minnesota State Bar Association. (Includes membership directory) Call Number: Per .B45. [Location: Law, Periodicals, Plaza Level].

Judicial / Court Directories

Sources of directory and biographical information on judges and courts (for contacts concerning judicial clerkships) are most effectively found under the following subject headings:

courts--united states--directories
judges--united states--directories

The American Bench. Minneapolis, MN: Reginald Bishop Forster & Associates, 1977-. {Library currently purchases every third edition only.} Call Number: KF 8700 .A19 A47 [Location: Law, most recent edition in RESERVE; next most recent edition in Reference Office].
Almanac Of The Federal Judiciary. Washington, DC: Prentice-Hall Law & Business, 1990-. Call Number: KF 8700 .A19 A46. [Location: Law, Reference Office].
Judicial Staff Directory. Mt. Vernon, VA: Congressional Staff Directory, Ltd., 1986-. Call Number: KF 8700 .A19 J83x. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].
BNA's Directory Of State And Federal Courts, Judges, And Clerks: A State-By-State Federal Listing. 4th ed. Kamla J. King, ed. Washington, DC: BNA Books, 1992-. Call Number: KF 8700 .A19 B53x. [Location: Law, latest edition in Reference Office; previous editions on Plaza Level].
Want's Federal-State Court Directory. Washington, DC: WANT Pub. Co. Call Number: KF 8712 .W36. (Latest edition only). [Location: Law, Reference Office].

Organization and Association Directories & Information

To learn more about an organization or association which might have legally related employment opportunities try:

Encyclopedia Of Associations. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Co., 1961-. Call Number: AS 22 .E5 (Latest odd-numbered edition only). [Location: Law, Reference Office; Westlaw database: EOA; and Lexis library/file: BUSREF/ENASSC].

Federal Government Directories

For contacts within departments of the federal government:

The United States Government Manual. Washington, DC: Office of the Federal Register, et. al., 1973/74-. Call Number: AE2.108/2: [Locations: Law U.S. documents; current edition on RESERVE and in Reference Office.]
Federal Yellow Book. Washington, DC: Washington Monitor, Inc., 1976-. Call Number: JK 6 .F45 (Latest edition only). [Location: Law, Reference Office].
The Federal Legal Directory. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1990-. Call Number: KF 190 .F43x. [Location: Law, Plaza Level].

NALP Directory of Legal Employers

National Directory of Legal Employers. Washington, DC: NALP; Chicago, IL: Published by Harcourt Brace, [1996]-. Call Number: KF297.A1 N37x. [Location: Law, latest edition on RESERVE; previous edtion in Reference Office].

NALP is the National Association for Law Placement. It maintains a Directory Of Legal Employers which is comprised of information forms completed by legal employers, as well as other information. These are available on RESERVE at the Circulation Desk, as well as at the Career Planning and Placement office. Please, inquire about other materials that may have been put on RESERVE by the Career Planning and Placement office.

Links verified 2/25/08

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