<p>Im really interested in Constitutional Law , but, Im concerned that there will not be any opportunities for private practice, is this true?</p>
<p>This is something to think about, at the soonest, junior year of college.</p>
<p>No true at all: Working at a large firm that has publishing clients opens the door to dealing with 1st Amend. issues. Or if they have real estate clients, takings and due process issues. You can work for the D.A or P.D. and deal with 4, 5, 6, and 8th Amend. issues all day. You could be a legislative analyst and deal with separation of powers issues. You go work for the ACLU ore a poverty law center and deal with 3th and 5th amend. issues. Probably tons more if I put more than a minute or tow's thoughts to it.</p>
<p>Of course as Hanna noted, you have lots of time to think about law school.</p>
<p>There are very few opportunities dealing directly with U.S. Consitutional law. Why? First, most constitutional principles have been incorporated into State Constitutions and implemented into the process of passing State law. As with the Federal government, most State governments have a legislative body of professional lawyers who draft legislation. They are knowledgable of constitutional principles and avoid drafting legislation that creates constitutional issues. Second, there are so many U.S. Supreme court cases already that most issues of constitutional law are well-settled. That means there is not much to fight about. Third, the clients who need constitutional protection can't afford to pay you. The wages for legal services lawyers are pathetic. Most ACLU lawyers work for free. </p>
<p>The average lawyer makes a living by solving other people's problems. Rarely do those problems involve constitutional issues. Most of legal cases are resolved by the facts. In other words, by what happened. Lawyers who can make sure the facts are presented in light most favorable to their cases are usually the most likely to prevail. </p>
<p>There certainly are jobs involving U.S. Constitutional law, but they are few and far between. Those that pay well are typically extremely competitive and given to lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skills in areas of law not involving consitutional analysis. For example, a number of federal courts have full time law clerks who work many years and are involved in drafting bench briefs and doing independent research for federal judges. (I am not talking about law clerks that are just out of law school and work for a year or two before joining a law firm). These positions are highly competitive. Another example, would be working for a State Attorney General's office. Most States Attorney's General issue legal opinions upon request and State constitutional issues can arise. Unfortuntely selection for a position with a State's attorney general can often be politically based.</p>