Careers in law: What can I do with a law degree?

10 October 2024

If you’re thinking about studying law, there’s a strong chance you’ll be asking what you can do with your degree and whether law is a good career. Both are excellent questions.

For many, a law degree looks like it would make graduates highly employable in a wide range of roles and industries. And the legal implications of rapidly developing and ever-evolving technological advancements should only increase demand for specialist expertise.

But what careers in law can you pursue with a law degree? And is study right for you?

Below, we’ll investigate some of the facts, figures and trends around the various career options available after a law degree.

What can I do with a law degree?

Careers in law are diverse: from traditional law careers and working in-house to government roles and working for not-for-profit organisations.

While not everyone who graduates with a law degree works in a law firm, this is often the first career option most law students think of. And with good reason: here in Australia, law is a solid career choice with services that are in strong – and increasing – demand.

Around half of the graduates of our online Juris Doctor degree go on to practise in a law firm or in government law. Students who follow this career path can choose to work in legal roles that range from negotiating and drafting contracts, to advising on compliance with laws and regulations. They might also choose to work in litigation or with a big corporate law firm.

However, law degrees can lead to careers that go beyond careers in law. Whether you’re planning to step up into the C-Suite, combine your existing qualifications and experience in a specialist law field, or change your career entirely from wherever you are into a traditional legal role, a law degree can help you achieve success in your goals.

Here are some careers in law you may consider after a law degree.

Lawyer

When you think of careers in law in Australia, the role of lawyer is probably one of the first to come to mind.

Lawyers provide legal advice to individuals and organisations and manage their legal affairs – including preparing contracts, drawing up claims, advising on legal issues and dispute resolution.

You may have worked in a business that has access to a lawyer for reviewing contracts, or perhaps your organisation has distributed workplace advice from the corporate lawyers.

While it’s not usually their only role, lawyers do deal with disputes and can appear in court on behalf of their clients.

Given the all-pervading nature of law, it’s common for lawyers to specialise in a particular field of law, which could be something you draw on from your previous experience.

Entry-level lawyers can expect an average salary of around $100,000 a year, while experienced lawyers can expect around $152,000, according to Talent.com.

Solicitor

A solicitor is a type of lawyer, who is defined by the law as a legal practitioner who has completed a law degree and holds a practising certificate.

Solicitors often refer to themselves as lawyers, which can be confusing, but for our purposes it reinforces that these are both Juris Doctor preferred jobs.

While a lawyer will advise clients on their legal rights, a solicitor is more likely to practise law by advocating for them in court – unless a barrister is required, in which case they may instruct the barrister.

Seek.com reports that solicitors in Australia typically earn between $85,000 to $105,000, with higher-paying positions bringing in up to $125,000.

Barrister

If you are interested in building on your own experience and representing clients in court, then barrister is one of the law careers you should definitely consider.

Entry-level barristers can expect an average salary of around $71,000 a year, which can jump to around $100,000 for experienced barristers, according to Talent.com and Payscale.com, respectively.

Magistrate

Even though magistrates are usually recommended for appointment, the role of magistrate is ultimately one of the jobs you can get with a Juris Doctor.

Like judges, magistrates decide on cases by interpreting and applying the law – only they do it in different places. While judges sit in the District Court or Supreme Court, magistrates look after the Local Court.

Magistrates are likely to preside over a large number of cases in a single day.

While the classic Australian film ‘The Castle’ probably shouldn’t be referred to as an example of legal careers in Australia, in many ways it’s hard not to.

Constantinos Kilias played the role of Farouk, Darryl Kerrigan’s neighbour who supported his fight in the High Court against the compulsory acquisition of his house. At the time of filming (1997) Kilias was actually a part-time actor and full-time barrister.

In 2018, after 29 years at the Victorian Bar, Kilias was appointed as Magistrate of Court of Victoria. We’re pretty sure that doesn’t go against ‘the vibe’ of the Constitution.

Talent.com notes that an entry-level magistrate can expect around $81,450 a year. In the Victorian Court of Appeal, a magistrate can expect around $346,547 a year, according to the state government.

Judge

The esteemed role of judge must be one of the greatest Juris Doctor career outcomes to be imagined by law school graduates.

While they both decide on cases by interpreting and applying the law, judges differ from magistrates by presiding over more complicated and longer trials.

In jury trials, judges often have to explain quite complex legal matters to the members of the jury.

Talent.com notes that entry-level judges can expect an average annual salary of around $70,522. Judges in the Court of Appeal can expect an average salary above $433,321, according to the Victorian Government.

Other legal careers in Australia

Of course, there are many more career options for law graduates.

Career opportunities don’t end when you step outside of the legal system. For example, those with law qualifications may do well in journalism. That’s because legal studies are a great way to develop critical thinking skills, strong investigative skills and impeccable attention to detail.

Or if you have a keen interest in human resources, detailed knowledge of the legal profession might help you find your niche in providing specialist legal recruitment services.

If you have a passion for politics or social justice, a law degree could be a stepping stone to advocating for and creating change at a higher level.

Other opportunities might include roles in:

workplace adviser
policy officer
legal officer
accounting
management consulting
wealth management and investment banking
police prosecution
advocacy

Is law a good career?

To many, a law degree looks like it would make you highly employable in a wide range of roles and industries. And the legal implications of rapidly developing and ever-evolving technological advancements should only increase demand for specialist expertise.

But is law a good career? Here are four reasons why careers in law can be a great choice for you.

Broad career areas

Law graduates can work in a variety of traditional legal roles, such as solicitor, legal counsel, workplace relations consultant, family lawyer or legal case manager.

But they can also work in a range of careers outside the legal system, including workplace advisers and legal officers. Some graduates also apply their skills in areas like journalism, human resources or politics.

Job demand

For example, in Thomson Reuters Institute’s 2024 Australia: State of the Legal Market report, they found that legal demand in Australian law firms increased by:

an average of 7.5 per cent in the 2024 financial year (FY2024 vs 2023)
an average of 1.3 per cent in the 2023 financial year (FY2023 vs 2022)

The rise in legal demand in Australia can likely be linked to the country's strong economic position relative to the global economy, driven by several key factors:

The mining industry in Australia is increasingly focusing on electric battery-related minerals and rare earth elements, requiring significant investments and more legal work. The legal work required in the mining industry spans various areas, including environmental law, corporate law, and labour and employment law.
The hosting of the Summer Olympics in Brisbane in 2032 is another significant factor, with demand in that region growing by the most of any major area, at 13.5 per cent compared to Melbourne and Perth at 9.1 per cent, and Sydney at 6.7 per cent.

According to the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey from Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT), 84.5 per cent of law and paralegal students in 2023 had secured a full-time job within four to six months of graduating. This compared to 79 per cent of students across all study areas.

Salary increases

The survey found that 84.5 per cent of law and paralegal students in 2023 had secured a full-time job within four to six months of graduating. This compared to 79 per cent of students across all study areas.

Meanwhile, the survey found that the median starting salary for law graduates was $73,000, slightly higher than $71,000 for all other study areas. However, this salary has the potential to quickly rise. For example, private practice lawyers with two years post-qualification experience, are currently earning up to $145,000 in top-tier Sydney law firms.

As your experience grows, so too can your income. If you work your way up to Counsel level, you could earn more than $250,000-$350,000 in a top-tier firm in Melbourne or $275,000-$360,000 in Sydney.

According to the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Australian’s top eight law firms are paying law graduates at least $100,000 for the first time in 2024. This amount eclipses the legal industry average of $74,000.

Working style options

Stepping into a career in law doesn’t necessarily have to mean a decreased work-life balance. Depending on your role, you may have longer hours or flexible hours - for example, law firms with a flatter structure.

“There’s such a wide range of careers in law that there are options for everyone,” says Associate Professor Dr Trevor Ryan, who teaches Legal Theory and Constitutional Law at the University of Canberra.

“Perhaps you’re willing to put long, long hours into building your career and working your way up the ladder. Or maybe you're more interested in ‘New Law’, where the firms have a much flatter, more collaborative structure with flexible working hours. Either way, law can be a great career for your future.”

Does the type of law degree you do affect your job opportunities?

In Australia, you have two options when it comes to studying for a law degree:

an undergraduate Bachelor of Laws degree
or a postgraduate Juris Doctor degree, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.

Typically, a Bachelor of Laws course takes four years to complete in Australia. After finishing Year 12 or completing an equivalent qualification, students can enrol in either a single degree course or a combined degree course. The combined degree course takes around five years to complete.

But, if you already have an undergraduate degree in another discipline and are working full-time, you can do a postgraduate Juris Doctor degree online. This master’s degree-level course will take you four years if you complete it part-time, or three if you fast-track it.

Both degree courses can be a step towards a traditional career in law. And both can help you to become a great lawyer.

However, if you’re a career professional who’s looking for a change, or simply want to advance your current career, a Juris Doctor degree may be the right choice for you.

Gain the power to make a difference

Whether you want to practise law in a traditional role or use the skills you learn during your degree in a different way, there’s an option for you. And with demand only increasing as new areas emerge, law really does offer a futureproofed career.

If you’re still unsure about studying law, we’ve put together a collection of answers to some of the most common questions about becoming a lawyer.

Or if you’re ready to take the next step, ask about our online Juris Doctor course now.