For An Experience Like No Other, Try Becoming A Philadelphia Lawyer
Most lawyers work in private and corporate legal agencies. Some work for local, state, and federal governments. The majority of lawyers work full-time, and long hours. They must have a law degree and pass the state's written bar exam. Tracy Brandeis Roman received her Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Temple University, and her Juris Doctor from Widener University. She shares some advice with those pursuing a career in criminal law.
What sort of education is needed to secure a good job as a criminal justice attorney?
"Securing a good job as a criminal justice attorney requires a bachelor's degree in any area of study, plus a 'J.D.' a juris doctor, which means graduating law school. After one graduates from law school one must pass the Bar Examination. Once the Bar Examination is passed, one is then officially a lawyer and able to practice law. That's when you need to begin taking criminal cases and soak up as much knowledge as you can. Many begin by taking 'court appointed' cases."
What is the most challenging aspect of being a criminal justice attorney?
"High risk for your client means high stress for you as a lawyer. The possible outcome for the client is incarceration, and the possibility of the client having a permanent criminal record. Being saddled with a criminal record shuts the door on most avenues of employment, and will affect the rest of that person's life in the worst of ways. Talk about stress."
After graduation, how hard was it to transition to the actual working world?
"After I graduated in 1990, the job market was tightening up! Now the job market for lawyers is extraordinarily worse. Not an easy transition."
What advice would you give someone looking to start a career as a criminal justice attorney?
"Seek to begin at the District Attorney's Office or the Public Defender Association. The experience is like no other. The 'benefits' are great, health insurance, pension, 401(k), and the years are like 'dog years.' That is, you will get more experience in one year than other lawyers not working for such agencies will glean in seven years."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.