Jobs for J.D.s That Don’t Require The Bar Exam

Three recent law school graduates describe the wide range of opportunities available to J.D.s who do not take the bar exam

Last updated: September 20, 2023

Unlocking New Opportunities for J.D. Graduates Who Haven’t Passed the Bar Exam

In a well-attended talk at The Colleges of Law titled “Alternate Paths for the J.D.,” three recent J.D. graduates described how they found rewarding and fulfilling law degree jobs without passing the bar exam.

In her introduction to the event, Jackie Gardina, J.D., dean of The Colleges of Law, pointed to a report commissioned by the state Bar of California that concluded, “The business of law is growing, but the practice of law is shrinking.” With this new reality in mind, the panel of law school administrators, law professors, and recent graduates discussed the broad range of opportunities for job seekers who have received their J.D. degree but have not—or not yet—passed the bar exam.

Panelist Irene Mo was interested in data security during her time in law school. When she received her degree, she was thorough and strategic in her job search. She credits one piece of advice that helped her sort it all out. “I was told ‘It’s not about taking the best next step; it’s about taking the next best step”.

Mo ultimately realized that passing the bar and practicing law in a courtroom were reflections of ego and didn’t really pertain to her career objectives in the growing field of “legal tech” in which many jobs are designated as “J.D. preferred” but don’t require applicants to have passed the bar exam.

“If you don’t want to practice, I don’t think you need to put yourself through that pain,” she says. For example, she points that the pandemic triggered a sea change in the treatment of legal paperwork. “A lot of people are still printing out a ton of documents, and COVID forced people to move into this virtual world. Before, most people were still practicing law like they were 300 years ago.”

Exploring Opportunities for J.D. Graduates Awaiting the Bar Exam

Another panelist, Brian Dunn, found himself in a position that is common to many law school graduates. Having to wait for nearly a year to prepare for and take the bar exam when it was offered, Dunn looked for law degree jobs without passing the bar and found a position reviewing contracts for a financial services firm. There, he found the flexibility to reimagine their contracting process and appreciates the central role he plays on a larger team. Like Mo, his training in legal technologies in law school helped prepare him for his role, which involves the relatively new field of eDiscovery.

The third panelist, Brittney Martinez, also encountered scheduling issues with the bar exam, largely due to COVID-related cancellations. She found a fulfilling role with no bar exam requirement which involved decoding federal, state, and local regulations for an international company. The position has given her the opportunity to travel abroad but also allows her to remain in Texas rather than move to the company’s U.S. headquarters in New York.

“I recently have been given the opportunity to take on the Latin American sector of the company, which is a huge project with 11 countries,” she says, “because I’ve been able to invest in the company and understand how the processes work.”

The panelists stressed the traditional view of the lawyer who strives to graduate at the top of their class, passes the bar on their first try, and spends their career litigating cases in a courtroom is changing. Now, there are plenty of jobs for J.D.s not practicing law. “I was a very mediocre law student,” Mo says. “And personally, I think I’m doing great now, and living the life I want to live, doing the kind of work I want to do.”

Dunn urges prospective J.D.s to “never forget you have a law degree and you’ve spent a great deal of your time and effort getting to where you are.”

Key Advice for New J.D.s Exploring Non-Bar-Exam Paths

Other key pieces of advice the panel imparted to the students included:

Be flexible

Less than ideal positions taken fresh out of law school may lead to bigger, better opportunities later on.

Mo says, “When I was about to graduate and I was looking for a job, I was like, ‘If it has the word legal in it and you’re going to give me a good job reference, I’ll take it.’ Legal Shoe Shiner, I’m your girl. I just want a job after I graduate.”

Expand your horizons

If you are taking a nontraditional career path after receiving your J.D., then many opportunities may not be in your original search parameters for J.D.-advantage jobs.

Martinez suggests looking at international opportunities. “Foreign companies looking to expand in the U.S. view the J.D. degree differently,” she says, “and they need people with a law background to help them understand the legal environment.”

Use your networks.

When you’re dealing with a specialized skill set, professional networks can be even more important than the job-seeking public at large.

Dunn stresses the importance of both his undergraduate and law school networks. Martinez has received offers for in-house positions through work she has done as an independent consultant, and Mo says she is “three for three on getting jobs through my Twitter connections.”

High-Paying Jobs for J.D.s Not Practicing Law

There are a number of in-demand Juris Doctorate jobs that offer substantial salaries for those with a law degree without passing the bar. 

Compliance Officer

Compliance officers ensure that their organizations follow regulations and laws. They work to prevent legal issues by developing and implementing compliance programs. 

How much do Compliance Officers make?

The average salary for a compliance officer falls between $75,600 and $114,000 according to Salary.com.*

*Data collected in 2023.

Corporate Counsel

Many large corporations employ in-house legal counsel to handle a variety of legal matters related to their business operations. Corporate counsel often work on contracts, negotiations, and legal strategy. 

How much does corporate counsel make?

ZiprRecruiter reports that the majority of corporate counsel salaries currently range between $118,000 to $168,000.*

*Data collected in 2023.

Intellectual Property (IP) Manager

IP managers oversee a company’s intellectual property portfolio, which includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They help protect the company’s IP assets and ensure compliance with relevant laws. Salaries can be substantial, particularly in industries that heavily rely on IP, such as technology and pharmaceuticals. 

How much do intellectual property (IP) managers make?

According to the Economic Research institute, the average pay for an intellectual property manager is $84,316 a year.*

*Data collected in 2023.

Risk Manager

Risk managers assess and mitigate potential risks that could impact an organization’s operations, reputation, or financial stability. They work to prevent legal issues by identifying and managing potential threats. 

How much do risk managers make?

Risk managers can make $100,231 a year on average according to Indeed.*

*Data collected in 2023.

Legal Consultant

Some JD holders work as legal consultants, providing expertise to businesses, individuals, or government agencies on legal matters. They may offer guidance on complex legal issues, regulatory compliance, or strategic decision-making. 

How much do legal consultants make?

Zippia reports that the average legal consultant salary in the United States is $75,024.*

*Data collected in 2023.

Mediator/Arbitrator

Mediators and arbitrators help parties resolve disputes outside of court. They facilitate negotiations and help parties reach agreements. While salaries can vary, those with expertise in specific industries or complex disputes can command higher fees.

Legal analyst in finance/investment banking: Some JD holders work in financial institutions or investment banks, analyzing legal documents related to mergers, acquisitions, contracts, and other financial transactions. 

How much do mediators/arbitrators make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found the average salary for mediators and arbitrators to be $98,920.*

*Data collected in 2023.

Embracing Change: The Future of J.D. Careers

Events such as the Alternative to the J.D. underscore the importance that law schools keep up with the times. Technological innovation, changing demographic, and a changing economy are asserting pressure against a profession that has long rested on tradition. The lessons behind the ongoing efforts at The Colleges of Law to modernize the curriculum and expose graduates to a broader range of career options reflect the belief that legal professionals cannot merely let changes in the field happen to them. They must constantly think, plan, and innovate to keep up with and, ideally, get ahead of the disruptions to the profession that continue to come.

To learn more about The Colleges of Laws innovative course offerings such as Constitutional Law, Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, and Property Law, fill out the form below. You can also watch our informative session hosted by our enrollment counselor, Shannon Stark, to learn more about our in person J.D. programs.