Executive law is a relatively narrow legal specialty focused on high-level businesspeople and their dealings. Degrees in executive law are rare, but related subjects such as business law and commercial law are covered in Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) program
Essential Information
J.D. programs prepare graduates to practice or teach the law. Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree programs are often designed for foreign students who already have legal experience, or U.S. students interested in international law.
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Students learn state and federal laws about criminal activity, civil disputes, commerce, taxation and other topics. Many programs allow students to specialize in subjects like business law or patent law after they complete a standard curriculum in their first year. Students often have to opportunity to participate in internships with law firms during their studies.
The first year of most law schools' J.D. program covers a similar set of introductory legal topics. Students usually choose most of their classes during their second and third years. Those interested in executive law often learn about the following topics:
Master of Laws
Students learn how U.S. laws compare with those from other regions of the world. Since LL.M. students typically already have a legal degree and employment experience practicing the law, these programs focus more on the theoretical and research-oriented aspects of legal practice.
LL.M. students usually choose most of their classes around an area of specialization. Students interested in executive law often specialize in comparative business law. The classes below are popular options:
Popular Careers (Master of Law)
People who earn an LL.M. degree often choose careers in academia or consulting, but they are qualified to sit for their state's bar examination as well. Graduates often choose one of the careers noted below:
Employment and Salary Outlook (Juris Doctor)
J.D. program graduates have a variety of career options. Graduates can work in law firms, private practices or for government agencies. Those interested in practicing law need to pass their state's bar exam. The careers noted below are popular options:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the number of working lawyers was expected to increase 10% from 2012-2022, which is the average. As of May 2014, the median annual wage for these professionals was $114,970.
Criminal Lawyer: Employment & Career Info
Discover what the job duties of a criminal lawyer are. Learn about education and licensing requirements as well as job outlook and salary to determine if this is the right career for you.
Career Definition
Criminal lawyers serve as both an advisor and an advocate for their clients in the process of navigating the criminal court system. Job duties of a criminal lawyer include meeting with clients, interviewing witnesses or complainants, interacting with the police and district attorney or prosecutor, researching case law and appearing in court.
How to Become a Criminal Lawyer
Necessary Education
Becoming a criminal lawyer can be a lengthy process. Criminal lawyers need to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree and then attend a 3-year law school program. Many potential criminal lawyers take courses in criminal justice, law enforcement and law before specializing in criminal law in law school. After completing your education, it is also necessary to pass a written bar exam in order to be licensed to practice law in a specific state; some states also require a written ethics examination.
Required Skills
To be successful as a criminal lawyer, you'll need to be hard-working, intuitive, willing to work long and irregular hours and capable of dealing with stressful and demanding situations. An ability to connect and communicate well with others, express yourself clearly when speaking and writing and create and analyze arguments will serve you well as a criminal lawyer.
Economic and Career Outlook
Employment for all lawyers was expected to grow at a rate of 10% from 2012-2022, about as fast as the average growth for all careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), the median annual earnings of wage and salaried lawyers were $113,530 as of May 2012; compensation varies by geographic area and years of experience.
Alternative Career
Paralegal
Those who desire a career in law but are intimidated by the extensive educational requirements should consider becoming a paralegal. Paralegals analyze all the facts in a case, research pertinent information such as laws and related cases, write reports, create and organize legal documents, assemble evidence, and file appropriate documents with the court. They also assist lawyers in trial preparations and support them during court appearances.
To work in this profession, earning an associate degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree and a paralegal certificate is necessary. Obtaining optional professional certification is also beneficial when seeking employment. As predicted in BLS data, paralegals and legal assistants should see a 17% increase in job opportunities between 2012 and 2022. The median yearly salary for these legal workers is $46,990, as seen in BLS reports from 2012.
Criminal Investigator
For those with an interest in criminal law and bringing the bad guys to justice, a career in criminal investigation could be a good fit. Criminal investigators gather evidence at crime scenes, talk with suspects and witnesses, research records, participate in surveillance activities, arrest suspects and testify in court proceedings. To qualify for employment, a criminal investigator needs a high school diploma and is required to complete a police academy program. Some police departments may also require college courses or a degree in criminal justice or a related field. Most criminal investigators generally begin work as a police officer and are promoted into an investigator position after acquiring on-the-job experience.
In May of 2012, the BLS determined that criminal investigators received an annual median income of $74,300. It also predicted that 5% growth in jobs for police and detectives, including criminal investigators, should occur during the 2012-2022 decade.
Copyright Lawyer: Job & Career Info
Learn about the education and training required to work as a copyright lawyer. Find out the salary and employment outlook for this career, as well as some alternative career options.
Career Definition
Like other attorneys, copyright lawyers may work independently in a solo practice or as an associate or partner within a law firm. Copyright lawyers focus on specific areas of practice, such as applying for copyrights or litigating copyright disputes, or they may build sufficient expertise in copyright law to perform a range of functions. Daily tasks for copyright lawyers may vary depending on their experience and their clients' needs but can include filing paperwork with courts or government offices, meeting with prospective clients to assess their needs, researching specific aspects of the U.S. copyright code, or communicating with opposing counsel about technical aspects of a court case.
How to Become a Copyright Lawyer
Required Education
Prospective copyright lawyers must graduate from an accredited law school before they can qualify for admission into a state bar association, which is a requirement for lawyers in every state. In addition to being admitted to a state bar association, some practicing lawyers may choose to gain additional certification, such as admission to the American Bar Association. After graduating from law school, lawyers, including copyright lawyers, may wish to gain more specialized education in their practice field by earning a Master of Laws degree.
Skills Required
Practicing lawyers need to have a high degree of specialized knowledge in their practice field. For copyright lawyers, this means a thorough understanding of the policies and procedures involved with domestic and international copyright law. Copyright lawyers need to be able to interact effectively and respectfully with their clients by listening carefully, communicating clearly, maintaining confidentiality, and working on each client matter diligently. Other skills important to the practice of law include strict attention to detail, strong analytical abilities, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
Career and Economic Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the high volume of graduates from American law schools each year creates stiff competition in the attorney job market, even though jobs for lawyers are projected by the BLS to increase 10% from 2012 to 2022. Income for lawyers, including copyright lawyers, can vary widely and is heavily dependent on factors such as experience and employer; however, the BLS figures indicate a median annual income of $113,530 for all attorneys in 2012.
Alternative Career Options
Paralegal
Like lawyers, paralegals may provide legal research and analyze cases, but paralegals assist lawyers and do not represent clients. Most paralegals earn an associate's degree in paralegal studies to prepare for their career. The BLS projects faster-than-average job growth for paralegals from 2012 to 2022. The median salary for paralegals was $46,990 as of May 2012.
Judge
While copyright lawyers help clients apply for copyrights and represent them in disputes over copyrighted material, judges apply the law and preside over these disputes in a courtroom. To become a judge, one must first be a lawyer in good standing with many years of experience. In most cases, judges are appointed or elected. The BLS reports that magistrate judges, who work in local, state, or federal courts, earned a median annual salary of $115,760 in May 2012. The BLS projects that this career field will grow very little or not at all from 2012 to 2022.
Guide to Earning an Online Law Degree
Currently, there are no online Juris Doctor programs that are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). However, students will find other types of law degrees online, as well as unaccredited J.D. programs. Keep reading to find out more about the types of law degrees that can be earned online.
Online Degree Options
Online degrees in law-related fields can be found at the bachelor's and master's degree level. These degree programs in legal studies, law and society, or related fields are appropriate for students who are interested in learning about legal theory and application. Lawyers who have already earned a Juris Doctor degree and have been admitted to the bar will find a few online Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree programs.
According to the American Bar Association, there are no fully online ABA-accredited Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs that prepare students to take a bar exam (www.americanbar.org); however, there are some schools that offer non-accredited J.D. programs. Students in these programs typically have a path to the bar exam in the same state in which the school operates. Other states, in some cases, allow lawyers from other states who are graduates of programs not ABA-accredited to sit for the bar exam, as long as they have a minimum of experience as a practicing attorney in their home state.
Online Law Program Characteristics
Most schools offer their online law degree programs with the full-time working adult student in mind. Admissions are considered on a case-by-case basis for non-traditional students or students with varying levels of academic or professional experience who demonstrate that they may be able to benefit from the program. Some schools don't require common standardized test scores as part of the application process.
How Online Learning Works
Oftentimes, an online law degree can be completed without any visits to campus. In cases where periodic short-term residencies are required, they typically last less than a week. Students may have a choice of start dates; however, classes often have firm start and end dates. Students might also have the flexibility to compress or extend their course length to fit into their schedules.
Schools that offer online law degrees use an electronic course delivery system, which usually means one-stop access for course materials, assignments, class message boards, instructor and student communications, and more. Some lectures take place in real-time, while others are recorded and made available for asynchronous student access. Some interaction between teachers and students may take place by chat, e-mail, or telephone.
Types of Online Law Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society
This online degree program covers the law, legal system and law principles in the United States. It also aims to provide a firm foundation in logic, legal writing and rhetoric. The degree can be applied to a wide variety of careers, including law enforcement or employment in a nonprofit organization, regulatory agency, government organization or public office. The 4-year program offers coursework in early American civilization, government, conflict resolution and criminal justice, among other areas.
Master of Arts in Legal Studies
This online, interdisciplinary degree program focuses on current social issues and public policy along with the study of law in American society. It's designed to help students prepare for further studies, or to provide them with a larger skillset in their law-related careers. Students learn about legal research, public advocacy and theories of justice. A large part of the degree consists of electives in topics like human rights, criminal justice and public policy. An internship is optional.
Master of Laws
The LL.M. is an advanced degree for lawyers, usually in a focused area of the law. Courses vary depending upon the area of focus; for example, an LL.M. in taxation will focus on taxation and business, while a degree in American law offers coursework in contracts, civil procedure and international business transactions. The program takes 1-2 years to complete. Students in an LL.M. program can complete an optional internship while taking courses.
Online Courses in Tort Law
Essential Information
California is the only state that permits candidates for the state bar examination to have obtained their law degree online, and none of the online schools are approved by the American Bar Association. Paralegal and legal studies programs, however, offer online courses including those in tort law. These programs can be taken towards a certificate or an associate or bachelor's degree. Some classes are available completely online, while others require periodic attendance on-campus. Graduates are qualified to work for law firms, business corporations, courts and government agencies.
Online Tort Law Courses
Below are some of the courses in tort law that are offered online by colleges and universities.
Online Justice of the Peace Course Information
No specific educational requirements exist for a prospective justice of the peace, but coursework or degree programs in political science, criminal justice or administration of justice may be helpful. Online courses are available from various colleges and universities at the undergraduate level.
Essential Information
Online courses in criminal justice, law, political science, administration of justice and sociology may be useful to someone aspiring to become a justice of the peace. Many U.S. states have eliminated the position, but where the role of Justice of the Peace does exist, duties include officiating weddings, administering oaths and presiding over minor criminal and civil matters. Given the changing and diverse nature of the role, students may wish to clarify their end goals and make sure they are aligned with specific courses, as well as state legal and educational requirements.
Online Courses for Prospective Justices of the Peace
Below are a few of the most common courses available that are in the areas of criminal justice, law and political science.
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