Legal education is designed to prepare graduates to meet the changing demands of individuals and of society as a whole, in local, national, and international contexts. Broadly speaking, legal education involves the careful analysis of the principles underlying past and current statutes and court decisions, how those principles may be applied to current problems, and how new ideas can solve current problems and future issues. Career Opportunities in Law Because legal education is broad-based, it is excellent preparation for many careers in addition to those which most people associate with the traditional practice of law. The popular perception of lawyers as courtroom litigators and judges is representative of only one branch of the profession. Lawyers are also found in planning and policy-making roles in both the private and public sectors, in large corporations, at all levels of government, and in international practice.
Lawyers work as managers and administrators in many different fields.
Many serve the community as prosecutors and public defenders. Because of their training, lawyers are often called upon to represent the broad interests of their communities. Salaries vary by the type of work that the attorney chooses. Students are encouraged to pursue a course of study that will enable them to think critically, to analyze written materials with care, and to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form. Traditional majors followed by potential law students include English, history, political science, and business.