<p>What can you do with a J.D. besides being a lawyer or a judge..etc.?</p>
<p>Not a whole heck of a lot that you would actually need the JD for.</p>
<p>I work for a company that provides products and services to the legal industry. We employ zillions of lawyers who no longer practice.</p>
<p>i've seen some bankruptcy lawyers who have made the switch after practicing law for a few years to distressed debt funds.</p>
<p>A number of lawyers leave legal practice for personal or financial reasons. But I do not recommend going to law school and getting a J.D. unless you are planning to become a lawyer or there is a plan in place at your current employer or another institution that calls for you to go to law school in order to qualify for advancement. </p>
<p>For instance, the US Patent & Trademark Office requires a law degree for advancement to certain positions. Some law enforcement agencies have similar requirements. And one of my classmates did not plan to pratice law but was in school with us because his employer wanted him to have legal training in order to be promoted to a certain position.</p>
<p>But if that isn't the case, you are subjecting yourself to a tough and expensive program for no adequate reason. However, if you are rich and would like to spend time getting a legal education, go right ahead.</p>
<p>Dadofsam reminded me of one other career that doesn't require a bar-approved attorney but does use lots of legal knowledge. Large industries, like aerospace companies, are farming out more and more subcontracting work. These are usually managed inhouse by -- not surprisingly -- subcontract administrators. This is a career where knowledge of contracts is a big help and quite a number of them go to law school at night to earn a JD. Senior subcontracting specialists make pretty good money, too, although not as much as a senior associate or partner at a law firm. Most of them don't work 3000 hours a year, either.</p>
<p>thanks, guys</p>
<p>Lots of people go into politics (either running themselves, or as advisors), or government departments, or investment banking (there are threads on lawyers who head these companies in NYC). Really, anything is open to you if you are bright.</p>
<p>I agree with dadofsam.</p>
<p>Go to law school with the intent of becoming a lawyer, but realize that just because you have a JD doesn't mean you have to practice as an attorney. There are many positions within companies in which legal background is important. And of course things like being an agent (arts/music/film/sports/other), or running a non-profit can be possibilities as well. </p>
<p>Also, you can be an attorney without being part of a law firm. Companies of all types need people to handle the legal side of things, be it engineering, accounting, biomedical research, hospitals, colleges and universities, sports teams, and so on. The medical center where I attend medical school has people who deal explicitly with medical ethics and have JD's. They never go to court or deal with contracts or motions, but counsel doctors, patients and hospital staff on ethical decision making.</p>