A Law Job without a JD? 10 Alternative Careers in the Legal Industry

Court Administrators: The primary job of the Court Administrator is to attend to the various tasks that a judge often is too busy to complete, including scheduling hearings, recording trial results, and managing judicial records. Also known as the judicial administrator, the Court Administrator also participates in various trial activities such as labeling exhibits, ensuring witnesses are sworn in, and announcing the judge.

Court Interpreter: It is estimated that at least 20% of the United States population speaks very little or no English. As a result, it is vital that courts employ court interpreters who are able to interact with these individuals when they have been called as witnesses in trial, or are litigants. The court interpreter ensures that the non-English speaking individual is aware of all court proceedings as they occur, explains what is being said by the judge, other attorneys, or witnesses. They may also serve as a translator when the individual is a witness.

Court Reporter: Court reporters' sole responsibility is to create verbatim transcripts for all court proceedings. The court reporter accomplishes this by either utilizing a stenotype machine or ''voice writing.'' They may also be responsible for recording the proceedings or supplying individuals with hearing problems close captioning services.

Forensic Accountants: Possessing financial and investigate dexterity, the Forensic Accountant probes companies' financial records to ensure that there has not been any illegal financial activities such as embezzlement. They conduct investigations in order to find evidence in the event that a company has been found to participate in activities that aim to defraud those invested in the company.

Forensic Animator: The sole job of the forensic animator is to recreate various events using computer animation that are vital to the success of a case. These can range from an alleged assault to an armed robbery. After the forensic animator receives all applicable information about the event from investigators and eyewitnesses, the he or she creates a computer simulated re-enactment to be shown to the jury during trial.

Forensic Scientists: Using their knowledge of science and investigative acumen, Forensic Scientists serve as witnesses, during the course of trial, to either corroborate or dispute legal theories, put forth by the prosecution or defense. This testimony often results in the Forensic Scientists making statements to determine if the defendant could or could not have committed the crime in question.

Legislative Staffers: Legislative Staffers are government employees and work directly with federal or state politicians. Primary responsibilities range from managing casework to working to find resolutions for constituents' troubles. Legislative staffers must also be aware of various legislative issues as they may be required to inform lawmakers of certain policies or proposed legislation.

Paralegals: Essentially, Paralegals ensure that everything is running smoothly in a legal office. They conduct research, carry out administrative tasks, and help lawyers prepare for upcoming trials. This may involve drafting contracts or affidavits or examining previous legal precedents that may apply to the case at hand.

Legal Writer/Editor: Individuals who are interested in the law and/or legal developments and also have a journalism or writing background may be interested in pursuing careers as reporters for the legal sections of newspapers, book publishers, or magazines. No legal experience is necessary, merely the desire to write about legal issues.

Legal Videographers: In the event that an individual was called as a witness, during the course of litigation, and is unable to appear, Legal Videographers may be hired to document the witness's testimony. This taped testimony is then later played for the jury in the courtroom. Legal videographers may also be hired to tape the daily activities of a plaintiff in order to show their struggles, as well as how they have been impacted as a result of the event in question.