How to Know Which Type of Law Is Right for You
The good news is that you don’t need to have everything figured out right away. The important thing is to explore your interests, think about your strengths, and reflect on your values.
Here’s a helpful guide to assist you in identifying which area of law might be right for you:
🎓 1. Think About What Inspired You to Study Law
What was your main reason for wanting to pursue a career in law? Was it to stand up against injustice, argue cases in court, handle contracts, or impact public policy? Sometimes, your initial motivation can guide you toward the right path.
If you are passionate about justice and social change → Look into human rights law, constitutional law, or public interest law.
If you are intrigued by business or finance → Think about commercial or corporate law.
If you care about individual stories and emotions → Family or criminal law could be a good match for you.
🔍 2. Recognize Your Strengths and Personality Traits
Your natural abilities can also help point you in the right direction:
Are you detail-oriented and enjoy analyzing information? → Consider tax law or intellectual property.
Are you persuasive and enjoy speaking in front of others? → You might excel in litigation or criminal law.
Do you prefer writing and research over arguments? → Fields like policy, academia, or legal research could be ideal for you.
Tip: Try taking personality or career assessments (like Myers-Briggs) and see how your results align with different legal careers.
🧠 3. Notice What Interests You During Your Classes
As you continue through your law program, pay attention to which subjects resonate with you more than others.
What topics do you really like to read about?
Which assignments make you feel excited to work on?
Which classes do you find hard to face?
Use your feelings as a guide — just because you're good at a subject doesn't mean you'll want to work in it, but having fun with it is a big hint.
✍️ 4. Gain Real-World Experience (Even Small Ones)
Internships, job shadowing, clerkships, moot court, or even volunteering at a legal aid clinic can let you see how different types of law work in real life.
After each experience, ask yourself:
Did I like the atmosphere?
Can I imagine doing this job for a long time?
What did I enjoy or not enjoy about it?
🗣️ 5. Speak with Legal Professionals
Reach out to lawyers from various fields — either face-to-face, via email, or through networking sites like LinkedIn. Ask them:
What does your average day look like?
What do you love and dislike about your job?
What skills or personal traits are most important in your field?
Their answers might reveal opportunities you hadn’t thought about before.
🔁 6. Don’t Hesitate to Change Your Mind
Many lawyers find themselves in areas they never expected. Your interests and priorities may change — and that's perfectly fine. It’s better to explore many options now than to choose too soon and feel trapped later.
🌱 Final Thought
You don’t have to figure out your legal future all at once. Picking your path in law is a journey — one that requires curiosity, trying new things, and being honest with yourself.
Start by noticing what excites you, what matches your values, and where your strengths shine naturally. Whether you end up in a courtroom, a boardroom, or a community center — the law has room for your unique voice.
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