Entry Level Legal Jobs In A Nutshell
Throughout Boston, entry level legal jobs are available in many forms. While paralegals and legal assistants are the most common types of entry-level jobs lawyers will have in the city, there are many other opportunities provided. Junior associates who have just graduated from law school often work in large firms and can start their career in Boston as well. There are also entry-level jobs for those who have studied criminal law. Public interest lawyers can sometimes work in entry-level positions after securing a job in that area of law.
Entry level jobs are available in both private and public offices in Boston. Opportunities exist in several areas of the law including civil litigation, employment law, divorce, and business law . Candidates for these jobs are typically required to be strong communicators, possess critical thinking skills, and have problem solving abilities.
Paralegals typically perform many different duties. The work they do is invaluable to the overall success of a firm. Legal assistants support lawyers and are responsible for many of the day-to-day responsibilities to keep a case moving forward. A legal assistant may create reports, create correspondences to clients, and research information required to support cases.
Tip: Many entry-level jobs require firms to train new attorneys so that they can become an important asset to the firm.
Employer Insights – Leading Companies That Are Hiring
The legal job market in Boston is robust, with hundreds of outstanding opportunities for entry-level candidates. A few standout firms include Ropes & Gray, Robinson & Cole, Goodwin Proctor, and Foley Hoag. These premier firms offer strong associate training programs and exciting opportunities to work alongside well-known partners and clients. Government positions are also in demand. State and federal organizations and courthouses rely on entry-level candidates for paralegal and paralegal-like roles. Unfortunately, the high volume of applicants means that these jobs can be difficult to nab without a solid resume and network on your side. Finally, in-house legal departments provide a wealth of available positions, especially for law school alumni. Notable companies like Biogen, Charles River Laboratories, Dara BioSciences, and Ocean Spray are ideal targets for prospective candidates. In-house legal departments promise a unique, rewarding experience with a number of perks not commonly found in firms.
How To Qualify For Opportunities
To secure an entry level legal job in Boston, several qualifications and skills are generally required. Entrepreneurs interested in joining the local market must typically obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited institution. A lecture of bar review courses and completion of demanding study is required to successfully pass the Massachusetts Bar Exam. Well oversized for the exam; candidates are frequently required to take other state Bar Exams in order to work in private or public sectors. Although some firms may offer short-term administrative or other support positions without subjecting prospective hires to this process, it is common for law students to take on externships and intern positions to work their way up the network. Internships often pave the way for potential professional and personal networking opportunities, which may be further enhanced by affiliation with different organizations. In many cases, obtaining competitive positions as a contract or freelance worker with various local agencies helps to develop essential soft skills. Firms prefer individuals who have excellent research and writing abilities, and exceptional communication skills. Entry-level positions generally require expanding knowledge and experience in particular areas such as criminal law, civil litigation and business law. Prospective hires must demonstrate proficiencies in Microsoft Office Suite and Google apps, along with knowledge of e-discovery programs, case management software, Westlaw and electronic filing tools.
How To Find Job Postings
There are a number of different sources for legal job listings that can be useful when searching for entry level legal jobs in Boston. These resources include job boards and online job searches, legal staffing agencies and legal staffing firms, and your university or college career center.
Online job boards are a great resource for finding entry level legal jobs. There are a number of different legal job boards on the internet that you can use, and there are also general job boards that feature legal jobs as well. For instance, Monster.com and JobCentral.com are job boards that include a lot of different entry level legal job listings. A quick search of these boards for "entry level legal jobs in Boston" will bring up some interesting results.
Legal staffing agencies and legal staffing firms are also helpful to job seekers looking for entry level legal jobs in Boston. Those firms specialize in connecting legal job candidates with potential employers. They are good resources to use because they have a basic understanding of what potential legal employers are looking for in candidates, as well as which candidates are the most qualified for which kind of jobs. Legal staffing agencies may also focus on only firms of a certain size, or only specific areas of the law. This helps them more effectively match legal job candidates with prospective employers. Legal staffing firms also help job candidates gain more experience in high quality firms. You can do these by submitting your resume to a staffing agency or firm. Then if they find an entry level legal job that they think fits your qualifications, they will contact you about entering into employment with that firm.
If you’re still in school or recently graduated from a law school, your career center (or student services office) is another great resource for finding entry level legal jobs in Boston. As a law school graduate you may have to pay a small fee to use the career center, but that cost is generally much lower than the cost of hiring a legal staffing agency or firm. Careers centers are great because they keep lists of potential employers that are consistently looking for candidates to fill specific positions. So if you’ve got the necessary legal training, you may be able to find a position that isn’t even currently being advertised.
Associations and Society – Join the Club
Just as it is with most other endeavors, networking is essential to landing one of the many entry level legal jobs in Boston. Having a comprehensive resume and a solid understanding of the profession is essential, of course, but don’t overlook the importance of utilizing your social network to gain insider access to potential opportunities.
You’ll want to join the relevant professional organizations and associations within your field, as well as attend legal networking events regularly. The more people you can connect with in a professional setting , the more you’ll be enhanced as a candidate for an entry level legal job in Boston. Leveraging the power of your alumni status is also critical to your job search success. Your college or university will have established networks of alumni within their areas of study, as well as in the geographic area, and having these resources available to you makes the journey so much easier.
Networking, above all else, can be tremendously beneficial to your job aspirations in the Boston area, and can open doors that you didn’t even know existed. Don’t pass up any opportunity to meet new people and introduce them to your unique skills. You never know what might come of it.
Successful Application and Interview Strategies
For many, the first step towards a career in the law is an entry level legal position in Boston. To ensure that you are making your best case for yourself, there are some tips for application and interview success that can help you stand apart and on your way to that legal career. For starters, great resumes and cover letters immediately catch the attention of an employer as they convey professionalism and care in applying. In particular, it is vital that your resume be free of typos or grammatical errors because the legal profession hinges on writing with accuracy. It is also important to be direct and to the point as that is another feature that employers appreciate. In your cover letter, give some insight into who you are, what qualities you possess that you feel would make you an asset to the employer and why you want to work for that particular employer.
In the application process itself, remember that employers are actually seeking applicants who have the attributes they require for the entry level position in the first place. While it is important to have the necessary skills to perform the job for which you are applying, employers are also looking for the right attitude, attendance and attention to detail as well. Demonstrating these qualities in your application will go a long way. When preparing for the interview, it is beneficial to arrive a few minutes early to allow yourself time to compose yourself and to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. During the interview, it is important to ask questions that demonstrate you are truly interested in the position. Remember to maintain eye contact with the interviewer to convey that you are listening and engaged in the conversation.
Many of the questions you will be asked during the interview will be familiar in the legal field. You will be asked about your long-term goals and why you are interested in the law. You may be questioned about working long hours and your overall salary expectations. Be honest in your answers but also be committed to demonstrating why you would be valuable to that specific employer.
Advancement and Professional Growth
The legal profession is not as flat as it seems, there are numerous levels and once you have attained entry level legal jobs in Boston, you can finally start moving up the career ladder.
Some of the firms prefer to keep their bottom tier employees as long term staff. While you continue building your experience, you can expect a gradual increase in your responsibilities. Entry level lawyers or paralegals usually work under the supervision of junior lawyers. You will learn and grow to become one of the go-to lawyers at your firm, and often you may be assigned to high-profile cases , which will allow you to expand your industry wide network.
Career growth and professional development play a vital role in the day to day life of entry level legal jobs. The work environment of a law firm might be demanding and even daunting but this demanding environment prepares you for the real world.
Most large firms in Boston and all across the US have in place a rigorous and structured mentoring and coaching program with focus on training and career coaching. Associate lawyers or paralegals join their firms as legal assistants and over time they earn promotion to junior or senior associates. From junior associates, you then move on to senior associate position and finally partnership in the firm.
Most large firms do not hire many first year law students, and this gives the chance to gradual build your industry experience and expertise, broaden your network and acquire the vital knowledge that will take you far in the industry. To get to the top of your career, you should not fear to start from the bottom.
