It makes sense that law schools are seeing an increase in the number of applicants concerned with social justice as more and more people advocate for human, animal, and environmental rights. But many aspiring attorneys are unaware that there is an entire career path that enables them to transform their love for advocacy into superior legal work.
Law students interested in learning more about representing clients’ interests in court or working in a particular area of the law can become legal advocates.
Working as a legal counsel has always seemed too challenging to consider. Or maybe you’ve never heard of or considered working as a legal advocate.
Let’s discuss what it means to be a legal advocate and why you might consider doing so.
Legal Advocacy 101
A legal advocate is a person who represents the interests of someone unable to speak for themselves. They can be a friend or family member, but they may also be an attorney or other legally-trained professionals such as judges and police officers.
For example, let’s say you’re a college student accused of cheating on an exam. You don’t want to get kicked out of school, but you also don’t want to spend all day in court arguing your case and trying to convince everyone that you didn’t cheat. Instead, a legal advocate would work with you to develop strategies for getting through the process without going through it yourself, then go into court and fight for what’s suitable for both of you.
You could practice as a legal advocate in numerous legal fields if you choose to earn a certification in legal advocacy. You can select from various possibilities, ranging from trial advocacy to working with kids and families. Below are some legal advocacy-related occupations you might thrive in:
Advocate for Children and Families
You will frequently consult on matters about the family, including custody, adoption, divorce, and occasionally abuse cases. In addition, you will provide advice or recommendations to the parents or the court regarding the appropriate course of action based on your analysis of the issue using your legal skills.
Women’s Advocate
You will intervene to support women in situations where they could be underrepresented, such as rape, assault, divorce, domestic abuse, and more, as a women’s advocate. In this kind of position, you could work directly for your community’s legal system or a nonprofit.
Environmental Advocate
You can wind up working as an advocate in this field if you are enthusiastic about the environment and the effects that humans have on it. For example, you could provide advice on legal actions brought against developers or businesses that harmed the area’s environment.
Civil Rights Advocate
Working with underprivileged groups whose civil rights have been violated is what a civil rights advocate does. For instance, you might assist those in need by collaborating with charities like Amnesty International or the American Civil Liberties Union.
Animal Rights Supporter
Animals can’t speak for themselves, so if you’re passionate about helping them, you may work as an animal rights advocate and provide guidance in situations involving animal abuse, hoarders, and other issues. In addition, groups like the ASPCA or PETA may need your legal expertise to assist them in achieving their objectives.
Getting Started
Consider volunteering with a group that fills a need that interests you if you’re trying to decide whether or not legal advocacy is for you. Consider volunteering with a nonprofit that seeks to lower the recidivism rate among American prisoners, for instance, if you’re considering becoming a legal advocate for prisoners.
Even though some legal advocate positions are only available voluntarily, they can be a terrific opportunity for you to get experience in your industry and move toward landing a compensated advocate position. To determine if you can get that experience, you should check into these volunteer positions as soon as possible. Some may allow you to work before graduation, while others may require a legal degree. Each organization or industry will have different requirements.
If you’re interested in becoming a legal advocate, there are many different paths. One way is to complete your undergraduate law degree and then go on for further training after graduation by earning an LLM or JSD degree. Other options include attending law school part-time while working full-time or pursuing other interests during breaks from schoolwork, such as volunteering or taking care of kids.
To Wrap It Up
If you’re thinking about becoming a legal advocate, you might wonder why you want to make this career choice. The truth is that becoming an advocate can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll get to work directly with clients and impact their lives. You’ll also be able to apply your knowledge of the law and the law industry in ways that are meaningful for them.
